“Sunny Makes Everything Okay”: Therapy Dogs as a Pedagogical Tool in Sensitive Classes

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.

Keywords:

• therapy dogs
• victimology
• sensitive classes
• trauma

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Angela M. Moe

Angela Moe is a professor of sociology and criminal justice at Western Michigan University. She specializes in public and applied work, particularly through ethnographic interviewing, participant observation, and field research. Her current lines of research center on canine assisted trauma recovery and therapeutic modalities; child and domestic abuse survivorship; and trauma-informed pedagogy. Dr. Moe serves on various non-profit boards focused on trauma and well-being, is part of several local initiatives aimed at increasing crime victims’ access to legal justice; and is a certified expert in family and criminal court in Michigan. She is the proud handler of two registered therapy dogs.