  |
|||
|
|
|
||
|
Posted by Jennifer Copley May 31, 2008 |
Cats and dogs are increasingly being used as therapy animals, visiting senior’s homes, hospitals and schools with their owners to provide educational and emotional support. One of the more interesting therapy cat projects is the program at the Saxerriet state prison in Switzerland in which volunteer prisoners receive a pet cat of their own along with very strict instructions regarding its care and well-being.
Prisoners who care for cats are more responsive to psychological treatment for the problems that led to the commission of their crimes, which may decrease the likelihood of reoffending. Caring for a cat also offers prisoners the opportunity to give and receive love and affection in a socially acceptable way, which many of them were likely denied in childhood. As such, this program has the potential to enhance rehabilitative efforts.
Another animal therapy initiative, Project POOCH, pairs incarcerated youth with homeless dogs. The young people train the dogs, many of which have serious behavioral problems. This program has proven extremely beneficial, increasing the self-esteem, sense of responsibility, patience and vocational skills. It would be interesting to see if a project involving cats would generate the same results. In some ways cats are ideal for such programs, because they are not as obedient as dogs, and so those who work with them must learn to tolerate frustration when the cat does its own thing and refuses to cooperate.
These programs have been closely monitored and rather than being inclined to harm the animals, incarcerated adults and youth have treated them with love and affection. These initiatives have the potential to help prisons and youth detention facilities fulfil their ideal role as places of rehabilitation rather than simply warehouses for criminals.
For more on therapy cats, see Cat Heroes and Cat Provides Care for the Dying.