Abstract

Criminal justice classes often involve emotionally taxing content. Students who identify as trauma survivors are at risk of being retraumatized through such courses, which not only impedes their ability to complete the courses but may also cause deleterious health consequences. While studies have addressed sensitive and triggering content in college curricula, fewer have examined mitigation techniques. Based on observations and student feedback, this study reports on the efficacy of utilizing a trained therapy dog in criminal justice courses focused on interpersonal victimization. Data were obtained over a three year period (prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic) in higher level undergraduate criminal justice classes on child maltreatment, family violence, and victimology, during which the author’s registered therapy dog was strategically incorporated. Findings are discussed within the context of student mental health, bridging research on therapy dogs within primary and secondary education with innovative pedagogical approaches at the university level.

摘要

刑事司法课程通常涉及情绪化的内容。认定为创伤幸存者的学生有可能通过此类课程再次受到创伤，这不仅会阻碍他们完成课程的能力，而且还可能导致有害的健康后果。虽然研究已经解决了大学课程中的敏感和触发内容，但很少有人研究缓解技术。根据观察和学生反馈，本研究报告了在以人际受害为重点的刑事司法课程中使用训练有素的治疗犬的效果。数据是在三年期间（在 COVID-19 大流行之前和期间）在有关虐待儿童、家庭暴力和受害者学的更高级别本科刑事司法课程中获得的，在此期间，提交人注册的治疗犬被战略性地纳入。在学生心理健康的背景下讨论了调查结果，将小学和中学教育中的治疗犬研究与大学层面的创新教学方法联系起来。