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I am so thankful to have received a STTI 2012-2013 small grant award. This award has enabled me to begin a research study entitled “Examining Stress Indicators in Sexually Abused Children: Canine Companionship during Forensic Interviews”. The goal of this research is to use animal-assisted intervention (AAI) during forensic interviews to decrease stress indicators in children alleged to have experienced child sexual abuse (CSA), and provide an environment that is less intimidating for them to disclose intimate details of the abuse. To do so, children of alleged CSA will interact with a therapy dog during their forensic interview process. It is hypothesized that interaction with a therapy dog during the interview will aid in reducing stress indicators as measured by biomarkers salivary cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase, blood pressure and pulse, and self-report scales. I am very enthusiastic about investigating a new intervention that may positively transform the forensic interview process at CACs nationwide by utilizing evidence-based practice protocols to reduce stress responses in children of alleged sexual abuse.
For more information, contact Dr. Cheryl Krause-Parello by calling (908) 737-3387 or by emailing cnr@kean.edu