A Preliminary Survey of Dog-in-Prison Programs Across the US
Abstract
The molecular effects of canine-human bonding have not been well-studied, but both species are deeply driven to seek out prosocial interactions. We therefore expect to see quantitative changes in both physiological biomarkers (e.g. cell-level phenotypes linked to psychiatric disease) and animal behavior on both sides of the ancient (>15,000 year old) symbiosis between dogs and humans when dogs and people form interspecies dyads. A compelling context for studying this involves "dog-in-prison" programs, in which incarcerated humans help to train canines for future lives as companionship or service animals. Notably, both the incarcerated humans and orphaned/stray dogs within such programs have been deprived of otherwise ubiquitous opportunities to bond with their own kind. We predict that dog-human dyads will therefore show pronounced benefits of interspecies bonding that can be measured at physiological and behavioral levels. If so, this will bolster support for programs that pair animal and human rehabilitation, and thus enhance the welfare of both ourselves and our best (canine) friends. Here we describe, as the first step toward these aims, a survey of the prevalence and diversity of dog-in-prison programs within the US.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Eben Gering
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-6-2022 12:00 PM
End Date
4-7-2022 5:00 PM
A Preliminary Survey of Dog-in-Prison Programs Across the US
Alvin Sherman Library
The molecular effects of canine-human bonding have not been well-studied, but both species are deeply driven to seek out prosocial interactions. We therefore expect to see quantitative changes in both physiological biomarkers (e.g. cell-level phenotypes linked to psychiatric disease) and animal behavior on both sides of the ancient (>15,000 year old) symbiosis between dogs and humans when dogs and people form interspecies dyads. A compelling context for studying this involves "dog-in-prison" programs, in which incarcerated humans help to train canines for future lives as companionship or service animals. Notably, both the incarcerated humans and orphaned/stray dogs within such programs have been deprived of otherwise ubiquitous opportunities to bond with their own kind. We predict that dog-human dyads will therefore show pronounced benefits of interspecies bonding that can be measured at physiological and behavioral levels. If so, this will bolster support for programs that pair animal and human rehabilitation, and thus enhance the welfare of both ourselves and our best (canine) friends. Here we describe, as the first step toward these aims, a survey of the prevalence and diversity of dog-in-prison programs within the US.
