Teaching Forensic Social Work: Innovative Education through Service-Learning

Abstract

The high impact, experiential education of service-learning was utilized in a Forensic Social Work class to enhance students’ social work skills.  Students and faculty, along with another community partner provided animal-assisted grief support groups to individuals who were incarcerated.  Two support groups were provided to individuals who suffered a recent or unresolved loss, one with women and one with men.  Social work skills of empathy, professional boundaries, social justice, group facilitation, and applying theory to practice were greatly enhanced through this service-learning, high impact practice.  The added value of therapy dogs in enhancing the therapeutic process was also noted.