Animal-Assisted Stress/Anxiety Groups: Positive Coping for Men in Prison

Incarceration is a very stressful experience, as one is separated from loved ones while facing multiple environmental stressors. Unmanaged stress can lead to physical and mental health consequences. 24 incarcerated men completed a 10-week treatment group with therapy dogs. This intervention intended to improve participant mental health, enhance coping strategies, and increase feelings of acceptance and reciprocity. These groups provided education on stress and coping strategies while integrating therapy dogs in the topics both as an educational example and a physical source of comfort. Assessment measures were used to evaluate anxiety, coping, and feelings about therapy dogs. Anxiety measurements significantly reduced from the beginning to the end of group, and an increase in active coping behaviors was also noted. Measurements about the therapy dog clearly indicated that these animals helped the participants feel more comfortable, happy and distracted from their stress and anxiety. Developing such treatment interventions has the potential to offer successful management of stress and anxiety for those who are incarcerated. Therapy dogs created an environment atypical of prisons, one where individuals felt supported and wanted to attend groups. This alone is extremely valuable to increase attendance and engagement in offered treatment.