Exploring Types of Programs: Dog Rescue, Rehabilitation and Training

Abstract

Over 330 correctional institutions in the United States and globally have implemented a prison animal program, with the most popular being dog-training programs. This chapter will examine the different types of dog programs in correctional facilities and how program structure and implementation has varied. Broadly speaking, there are two types of dog-training programs: those that train shelter dogs for adoption and those that train dogs to work as service animals. There are a smaller number of more specialized rehabilitation and training programs, too (e.g., kenneling, grooming, and private training for owned dogs; collaboration with veterinary medicine programs to restore dogs to health, and fostering programs for purebred rescue groups). The common structure of these different programs will be discussed, as well as the extent of the implementation. Next, the chapter will explore the different variations of dog rehabilitation and training programs. Dog programs differ in structure and implementation and tend to do so in accordance with the demographics and needs of their canine and human participants, as well as according to the structure and ethos of the correctional facility in question. Program size, duration, admittance criteria, daily activities, required certifications, housing arrangements, and program completion criteria all vary by program. Furthermore, the intended purpose of the programs themselves can be quite different across programs; some programs focus primarily on the outcomes of the dogs, making their training the priority of the program, while others stress the importance of rehabilitating the inmates and providing them with educational and vocational resources. These variations have several implications for dog program researchers and practitioners. This chapter will conclude with a discussion of these implications.