Reference no: EM133846880

Assignment:

Animal assistance training for guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service animals can occur in correctional facilities as part of inmates' rehabilitation. In their study, Rapp and Salla (2024) sought to understand the impact of this training. Specifically, the researchers wanted to find out what it is like to be an incarcerated male age 25-35 who trains dogs to become service animals. They interviewed incarcerated individuals from three institutions were interviewed to identify their experiences of caring for and training service animals. Three themes emerged from these open-ended interviews:

(a) feeling good by helping others,

(b) focusing on something other than incarceration, and

(c) learning about something bigger than just myself.

Limitations noted were the small sample size and only three state institutions were included in this research. The researchers were seeking an answer to which research question?

• What is the effectiveness of service dog training that occurs with incarcerated individuals?
• What factors led to teaching inmates to become service animal trainers?
• How can prisons start service animal training programs?
• What is it like to be an incarcerated male who is part of the service dog training program?