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Prison Pets are animals used in correctional facilities for treatment programs. The programs use the animals as a form of animal-assisted therapy to held decrease the rate of recidivism. This is where local animal shelters work with a prison to create a training and adoption process for potentional pets with the idea that it is mutually beneficial for the inmates. Prison pet programs, despite not being systematically studied, are gaining popularity across the United States.

Origins
Prison pet programs have been associated with that of animal assisted therapy. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy where an animal is presented to one or more people to provide a beneficial impact on human health, programs include: for the elderly, service animals, institutionally based, equine, and wild animal programs. This can include a wide range of animals but for institutionally based programs animals are typically limited to cats, dogs, birds, and fish. Animal-assisted therapy of today was founded by Boris Levinson who coined “pet therapy” in 1964: however the Quakers used birds and rabbits in therapy for the mentally ill as early as 1792. Throughout history there have been several incidents of animal involvement with patients to boast motivation, reduce anxiety, and help with social skills. According to HumaneSpot.org typical studies of AAT involve service dogs with the handicap or elderly.

Focusing on treatment programs, psychologists have worked to address the reputation of mental illnesses and substance abuse among the prison population. By confronting these problems offenders can learn to behave and hold jobs. A large part of rehabilitation is preparing them for interacting with others and controlling their emotions. In the last couple of decades correctional institutions, like the Dwight Correctional Center, have used animal-assissted therapy techniques to create prison pet programs.

Programs
Prison pet programs are where local animal shelters work with a prison to create a training and adoption process for potential pets. The animals selected for the program are those who have not been able to find homes due to behavioral and training problems such as: tearing up the furniture, litter box training, commands, and shyness. Inmates selected to participate in the programs are ones whose convictions did not involve violent crimes and have demonstrated good behavior while incarcerated. The inmates are responsible for training, feeding, grooming, and cleaning up after them. In some situations the inmates either work to earn money for the animals needs or donations are raised by the shelter or community. The idea of the program is to work as a treatment program for the inmates where they learn to handle responsibilities, work on socialization skills, and prepare them for live after their sentence.

Program Listings

 * Cell Dogs Traing Program
 * Puppies Behind Bars
 * Larch Correction Center: Cuddly Catz
 * Bellmont Correctional Institution: Golden Endings
 * Ohio Reformatory for women: Circle tails,Second Chance Dogs, and Union County Human Society.