Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Introduces Detainee Therapy Program Featuring Mounted Patrol Horses
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October 20, 2025
Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Introduces Detainee Therapy Program Featuring Mounted Patrol Horses
MARIETTA, GA - The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office has launched an equine therapy-style work release program designed to help detainees develop skills, take on responsibility, and prepare for successful reintegration into society.
The program allows low-risk detainees to work alongside members of the Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol Unit and stable staff. Participants are carefully screened through interviews and questionnaires before being selected for the program.
Once admitted, detainees spend three days each week outside the Adult Detention Center, performing hands-on tasks such as grooming and bathing horses, cleaning stalls, maintaining equipment, and assisting with barn operations. Under the supervision of trained staff and deputies, detainees gain practical job skills while also experiencing the therapeutic benefits of working closely with animals.
The initiative reflects Sheriff Owens’ commitment to innovative approaches that prioritize rehabilitation as part of a comprehensive public safety strategy. By pairing detainees with horses, the program fosters patience, empathy, and responsibility, qualities that support better outcomes both inside the facility and after release.
“Our Mounted Patrol Unit provides a holistic public safety benefit to Cobb County,” said Sheriff Owens. “Through our equine program, we are able to help detainees gain hands-on experience and learn life skills like patience, responsibility, and respect.”
Equine therapy programs specifically for incarcerated individuals have shown promising results. Research from the City University of New York indicates that detainees participating in equine-assisted rehabilitation programs can experience a 50% lower likelihood of recidivism and a 55% reduction in disciplinary infractions, particularly when combined with counseling services. These programs help detainees develop emotional regulation, empathy, and self-confidence, while fostering responsibility and teamwork within a correctional environment.
The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office plans to evaluate the program’s impact over time and explore opportunities to include more detainees.
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About the Cobb County Sheriff's Office: The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office is a law enforcement agency that executes a broad range of services, which include but are not limited to Jail Operations, Court Security, Criminal Warrant Execution, Civil Process Service, Mental Health Transports, Forgery/Fraud Investigation, and Fugitive Investigation and Apprehension. Sheriff Craig Owens took over the office on Jan. 1, 2021, and leads a staff of more than 800 deputies and civilians. Under his leadership, the Sheriff’s Office has the most diverse command staff in its nearly 200-year history and is on the path to becoming the best law enforcement agency in the State of Georgia. To learn more about the Cobb County Sheriff's Office, visit https://www.cobbsheriff.org/. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Download the Cobb County Sheriff's Office App!
Notes:
● Bachi, K. 2014. An Equine-Facilitated Prison-Based Program. City University of New York. Retrieved from https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1161&context=gc_etds
