Corrections_Today_Winter_2024-2025_Vol.86_No.4

Photo courtesy The Westchester County Department of Correction

In general, they felt less stressed (88.6%; n=39) which was also reflected in their stress scores above: Yes, because I wanted to jump right into them when I woke up. I was really thankful for them. In jail you can get carried away, but the puppies bring a sense of reality. Your worries are gone. Interestingly, participants acknowledged sharing similar stories to the canines in their care: Knowing that they will have a home [was the most rewarding]. I didn’t think about animals as much as people. Like us, they are also coming out of the trenches and it’s sad. I can’t stand to see animals that are hurting. They believed they saw changes in themselves as a result of program participation (81.8%; n= 36), such as being happier, more patient and largely, better caretakers: I have become more caring and loving. I want to do better and give more. Participants also viewed themselves differently as a result of their program participation (72.7%; n=32). One of the young male handlers learned that he was a compe tent caretaker: I noticed I was very caring without knowing. It comes so natural to me, and I didn’t realize it. I could be in the middle of doing something and all of a sudden, I would be worried about Squirtle [name of one of the fosters].

I thought it [the program] would be way more strict. But they [puppies] can roam and be with us. It shows they trust us with the dogs, and they gave us way more flexibility than I thought. It was not as limited as I thought. We could even take them outside. The majority of respondents (n=42; 95.5%) said be ing in this program with the puppies made their time at the jail easier because their time went faster, and they stayed busy: It kept my mind occupied from thinking in the box, from thinking about court. It kept me busy. It kept me occupied. The time went quicker. It’s already September and before I knew it, I went to court ... Overall, many expressed that the experience itself was therapeutic: Sometimes you are having a bad day, and you see the dog and can play with them and pet them and they sense it. They know you’re upset, and they help you to get better. There is so much love in them. It helped to alter their mood: My mood increased. When I got here, I was more depressed and isolated. I wouldn’t engage a lot. Now I’m engaging with the other women and playing with the dogs, and I go outside and it allows me to be more open. When the depression kicks in I am more tired, and I don’t go outside. This helps me a lot.

→

Winter 2024-2025 | Corrections Today

35