“It brings something familiar to an unfamiliar place”: Participants’ perspectives on the impact of a dog scheme implemented in a UK male prison

This qualitative study utilized Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to evaluate a dog scheme within a UK Category B prison. Following interviews with six male participants, researchers identified two primary experiential themes. First, dogs served as a “conduit for escapism”, offering essential respite from the daily rigors and psychological stressors of incarceration. Second, the scheme prompted a “shifting perspective,” enabling participants to move toward more positive self-narratives. By fostering emotional relief and personal growth, the scheme demonstrated the significant therapeutic value of animal-assisted interventions in supporting rehabilitation and improving the mental well-being of incarcerated individuals.