VOICED : Wagging tails in Italys model prison with pet therapy

In a Milan prison, a unique program pairs inmates with dogs to reduce reoffending rates. The initiative helps convicts, including those serving time for serious crimes, bond with animals like Labradors and Dobermans. The program, inspired by historical uses of animal therapy, aims to tackle loneliness and teach prisoners skills in training dogs. With a significant drop in reoffending rates, the program shows promise. Inmates like Carmela adapt to prison life with the help of their canine companions, and some hope to use their skills in therapy projects post-release. The initiative highlights the emotional and social benefits of pet therapy in a prison setting.

What is the primary purpose of bringing dogs into the prison near Milan?

• To train dogs for police work

• To help inmates bond and reduce reoffending rates

• To entertain the prison staff

• To improve inmates' football skills

Which historical figures are mentioned as having used dogs in therapy?

• Sigmund Freud and Florence Nightingale

• Carl Jung and Virginia Woolf

• Albert Einstein and Marie Curie

• Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin

What is the reoffending rate in the prison with the Dogs Inside project compared to the general Italian jails?

• 50% in the project, 20% in general jails

• 78% in the project, 50% in general jails

• 10% in the project, 90% in general jails

• 20% in the project, 78% in general jails

What activities do inmates engage in with the dogs during the program?

• Training for police work

• Playing fetch and training basic commands

• Gardening and cooking

• Painting and drawing

What future plans do some inmates have after participating in the canine program?

• To start therapy projects for Alzheimer patients and children with special needs

• To write a book about their experiences

• To become professional dog trainers

• To open a pet grooming business