IN PRISON there’s one therapist who is cuter than most.
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Gracie Superdog, a mixed breed therapy dog has been helping prisoners at Tamworth Correctional Centre for almost a year.
“We hear some very difficult things,” trainer and prison psychologist Jennifer Black said.
“It works to help the prisoners be more open in the talking process, as a psychologist I ask some pretty hard questions and sometimes they’re hard things to talk about so she’s there to support them but naturally to help calm the space.”
An intensive week of training determined Gracie had what it takes to be a licensed therapy dog.
Her obedience, temperament and manners were all assessed and she passed with flying colours.
Gracie is able to sense when inmates are feeling down, after a particularly vicious fight not long ago she ran straight to one of the injured men to provide comfort.
Inmate Jason is in the transition period to go home, having Gracie there to rely on is a reminder of his own pets.
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“Gracie really helps with anxiety, she really calms you down,” he said.
“She can sense when you are under stress and it’s a big reminder of home – for most of us it’s a bit of an escape.”
Therapy dogs are uncommon in remand centres like Tamworth’s prison.
But, Gracie has broken down a few barriers not just with her clients – psychologist Ms Black has learned more about therapy herself.
In the past she worked with horses, but they’re a little bit harder to get into prison.
The therapy dog does regular training with Ms Black.