Is the Tail Wagging the Dog? A Review of the Evidence for Prison Animal Programs

2013 ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Mulcahy ◽  
Deirdre McLaughlin
Keyword(s):  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 472-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Allison ◽  
Megha Ramaswamy

Zoo Biology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa J. Faust ◽  
Sarah T. Long ◽  
Kaitlyn Perišin ◽  
Juniper L. Simonis
Keyword(s):  

2017 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 520-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline van Wormer ◽  
Alex Kigerl ◽  
Zachary Hamilton

As U.S. correctional systems continue to rollout evidence-based programs, the utility of “complimentary” programs that do not address recidivism reduction remains in question. Many U.S. prisons have a variety of prison-based animal programs, yet the outcomes are largely unexplored. This research addresses a literature gap by evaluating the intermediate outcomes associated with a statewide prison-based dog handler program. Using propensity score matching, we compared 1,001 inmates in a pretest, postentry design, aimed at measuring change across four outcomes. Results indicate that dog handler program inmates experienced significant improvement in three of four areas. Implications and further research needs are explored.


2021 ◽  
pp. 109258722110429
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Minarchek ◽  
Jeffrey C. Skibins ◽  
Jerry F. Luebke

Zoos are increasingly turning to ambassador animal programs to address animal welfare issues and visitors’ empathic responses. However, little is known, if or how, animal handling practices and interpretation impact attendees’ perceptions of animal welfare and/or empathy. To evaluate these effects, eight ambassador animal program videos were created employing varying combinations of animal handling (traditional/free choice), interpretive messaging (traditional/empathy-based), and choice and control language (present/absent). Online questionnaires ( N = 1,185) were used to assess participants’ environmental and empathic predispositions before viewing and perceptions of animal welfare and empathic reactions immediately after viewing a video. Results revealed that empathic reactions were moderately correlated with perceptions of animal welfare ( r = .53, p < .001) and mean empathic responses were higher for free choice handling and empathic messaging videos versus traditional handling and messaging. Programming recommendations are discussed that can improve visitors’ perceptions of animal care and elicit strong empathic reactions.


2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gennifer Furst
Keyword(s):  

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