A new exploration of how therapy dogs can create a safe, nonjudgmental environment for survivors of domestic violence in educational, therapeutic and courtroom settings was recently published in People and Animals: The International Journal of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations. The study - published posthumously on behalf of John R. Chapin, professor emeritus of communications at Penn State Beaver - highlights the ways therapy dogs, who are trained to provide emotional support to survivors, can reduce anxiety, foster trust and facilitate positive outcomes.
"As society transitions from a hunter-gatherer model to agricultural, industrial and postindustrial models, the role of animals may continue to adapt. However, this evolution highlights that the bond formed between humans and their companion animals remains strong and holds significant potential in helping address the trauma experienced by domestic violence victims," said Grace A. Coleman, Chapin's wife and co-author on the paper. She also serves as president and chief executive officer of the Crisis Center North (CCN), a nonprofit counseling and resource center for those impacted by domestic violence in Allegheny County.
The paper examined three distinct areas by surveying participants receiving services from CCN. The first was the intersectionality of mental health, coping skills and pet ownership on youth participating in educational interventions. The second focused on the impact of therapy dogs in a counseling program within a domestic violence center. The third assessed the impact of therapy dogs working with domestic violence victims in courtroom settings.
"CCN staff have observed that clients often require several attempts to feel at ease when seeking help," Coleman said. "Therapy dogs could serve as a valuable resource in creating a more welcoming atmosphere for victims reaching out for the first time. This study shows that working animals can be crucial in creating and sustaining connections between clients and their local domestic violence centers. Our findings add to the expanding body of literature highlighting the psychological benefits of interacting with pets and working animals."
In the project exploring pet ownership, the results indicated that while owning a pet did not make a significant difference in mental health, children and adolescents with pets had greater coping skills than their peers without pets.
"It is essential for children who might be potentially affected by bullying and other adverse experiences, like school burnout, to develop coping strategies that prevent substance abuse and self-harm," said co-author Michael Brayack, who earned a bachelor of arts in corporate communications from Penn State and currently works as the grants and publications manager for CCN. "Based on our study's findings, further research into using animals and pets as tools for coping with school burnout should be explored."
The results were similar in the other two focus areas.
For the second project, children and adolescents undergoing counseling, as well as their parents, reported that counseling was more effective with a therapy animal present. The participants also noted that the presence of a therapy animal made them feel calmer and closer to their therapists.
In the third area, focused on the impact of therapy dogs in court settings, participants said that the dogs made them feel more comfortable appearing in courts. Some participants also said that they would be more likely to attend follow-up court sessions if the dog is available.
"Based on this research, we hope to inspire more programming like CCN's PAWS for Empowerment Program," said Brayack, who was advised by Chapin as a student at Penn State. "While any dog owner can tell you how they intuitively 'know' the positive impact their pets make on their well-being, research into the efficacy of animals for survivors of domestic violence is still largely undocumented. With this paper, we are pleased to be a part of this process, and I am glad to be able to honor the lasting work of Dr. Chapin by helping to finish his last article."
The paper is a capstone on Chapin's line of research, which focused largely on violence prevention and, in particular, domestic violence. Chapin, who was a survivor of childhood domestic violence, had a lifelong dedication to creating positive outcomes for survivors through his teaching, research and volunteer efforts. He received numerous awards at the local, state and federal levels, including the inaugural Crime Victims Research Award from U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022. He also received the 2006 National Office of Victim Assistance Stephen Schafer National Research Award.
With the addition of this posthumous publication, Chapin leaves behind 70 refereed publications of applied research on risk perception of violence, all of which are grounded in his many community partnerships, volunteer roles and personal passion for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
"John was a pioneering figure in the field of violence prevention research and this posthumous publication contributes to his lasting legacy," Coleman said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or go to www.thehotline.org for anonymous, confidential online chats, available in English and Spanish.
