Understanding Animal Assisted Interventions in Custodial Settings

Animal assisted interventions (AAI) in prisons take several different forms, and understanding the differences matters. Not all prison dog programmes are the same, and the outcomes they deliver vary significantly depending on how they are designed, who delivers them, and what standards they follow.

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The International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organisations (IAHAIO) defines animal assisted interventions as goal-oriented, structured interactions between people and animals, delivered or directed by qualified professionals. The IAHAIO White Paper on Animal Assisted Interventions (2014, updated 2018) sets out clear standards: AAI must prioritise the welfare of the animals involved, must be overseen by professionals with appropriate qualifications, and must have defined therapeutic or educational objectives.

In the UK, prison-based animal programmes broadly fall into three categories:

 

Therapy dog visiting programmes

Organisations such as Pets As Therapy (PAT) and Therapy Dogs Nationwide (TDN) send trained therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers into prisons for scheduled visits. Prisoners interact with the dogs in group or individual sessions, which can reduce stress, improve mood, and provide a point of connection. These are animal assisted activities (AAA) rather than structured therapy or education programmes. They are valuable, but they do not provide qualifications, vocational training, or sustained rehabilitation outcomes.

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Rescue dog training programmes

Programmes such as Paws for Progress in Scotland place rescue dogs into prison settings where prisoners learn basic obedience training skills and prepare the dogs for rehoming. These programmes teach transferable skills and provide purposeful

activity. The dogs benefit from socialisation and training, improving their chances of successful adoption. However, the dogs typically spend a limited period in the programme (often weeks rather than months) and the training outcomes are focused on basic manners rather than advanced assistance dog skills.

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Assistance dog training programmes

This is the most intensive model. Prisoners raise and train puppies or young dogs over an extended period (typically 12 to 18 months or longer) to become fully trained assistance dogs for people with disabilities, veterans with PTSD, or individuals with complex needs. This model delivers the deepest rehabilitation outcomes for participants because it requires sustained commitment, emotional regulation, advanced training skills, and the development of empathy and responsibility over time. The trained dogs go on to transform the lives of the people they are placed with, creating a direct social value that connects the prison programme to the wider community.

Restart Dogs CIC operates the assistance dog training model. It is the only organisation in England delivering a full-time, CPD-accredited canine assisted rehabilitation programme within adult prisons, producing fully trained assistance dogs for people who need them.

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Why the Assistance Dog Training Model Works

The evidence base for prison-based dog training programmes is growing internationally. A meta-analysis published by the College of Policing (UK) found that dog training programmes in prisons led to reductions in recidivism and reconviction rates compared to non-participants. The review identified several mechanisms: increased empathy, improved emotional intelligence, enhanced coping skills, and stronger bonds with staff and fellow prisoners.

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Assistance dog training programmes deliver these benefits more intensively than visiting or short-term rescue programmes because of the duration and depth of the relationship between handler and dog. Raising a puppy from 8 weeks old through to a fully trained assistance dog requires patience, consistency, emotional regulation,

and the ability to prioritise another living being's needs. These are exactly the skills that support successful desistance from offending.

Research conducted independently at Staffordshire University (supervised by Professor James Treadwell, a leading criminologist) has specifically evaluated the Restart Dogs programme and its impact on participants within custodial settings. The findings support the broader international evidence base while providing UK-specific data on the programme's effectiveness.

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Standards and Accreditation

Not all prison dog programmes operate to the same standards. The quality of the programme, the qualifications of the staff delivering it, and the welfare standards applied to the animals are critical factors that determine whether a programme succeeds or fails.

Restart Dogs CIC is a Full Member of Animal Assisted Intervention International (AASI), the global professional body for animal assisted intervention practitioners. Full Membership requires demonstrated adherence to international standards of practice, including animal welfare protocols, professional qualifications, programme design, and ethical practice. Restart Dogs is one of very few prison-based programmes in the world to hold this accreditation.

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The programme is led by ABTC-accredited (Animal Behaviour and Training Council) animal behaviourists, the UK's regulatory standard for animal behaviour professionals. All training is delivered using evidence-based, positive reinforcement methods, consistent with current best practice in animal welfare science.

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The education component is fully accredited by CPD UK and delivered in partnership with the School of Canine Science. Learners can study from Level 1 through to Level 4 in canine behaviour and training, gaining nationally recognised qualifications that support employment in the dog training and animal welfare sector on release.

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The Assistance Dog Sector and Why This Matters

The UK assistance dog sector faces a significant challenge. Demand for trained assistance dogs far outstrips supply. Waiting lists for an assistance dog can stretch to two to five years. A major bottleneck is the shortage of volunteer puppy raisers:

families who take on a puppy for 12 to 18 months, socialise and begin training it, and then return it to the charity for advanced training and placement.

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Prison-based assistance dog training programmes offer a solution. Handlers work with their dogs five days a week, providing a level of consistent, structured training that is difficult to replicate in a volunteer household. The dogs are socialised in a home environment every evening and weekend through the Restart Dogs staff foster model. The result is a well-rounded, confident dog that has received intensive, professional training.

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Restart Dogs currently trains dogs for Bravehound, a Scottish charity providing assistance dogs to Armed Forces veterans living with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Bravehound is a full member of both Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK). To date, 12 assistance dogs have been placed through the Restart Dogs programme, with further dogs in training for placement in 2026.

Restart Dogs is also open to working with other assistance dog charities seeking an alternative puppy raising and early training pathway.