Equine and Animal-Assisted Therapy – An Effective Supplement to Traditional Therapy
Horses are naturally empathetic. They can pick up on emotion and respond to what they are sensing. The equine therapy program at DRA allows students to work through challenges by forming connected relationships with horses. Our equine and animal-assisted therapy program, directed by EAGALA-certified Equine Specialists and our Mental Health Professionals, provides a beneficial and effective experience for our students, which supplements their clinical therapy. Students learn to care for and interact with animals and horses in meaningful ways, learning and practicing new relationship skills with them under the guidance of our trained therapists. Students may participate through individual, group, or family sessions.
Animal-assisted therapy is rooted in the bond that develops between people and animals. We use a variety of animals in our program. Animals provide a sense of calm, comfort, or safety and divert attention away from a stressful situation and toward one that provides pleasure. Animals can help combat loneliness and boost social support through interactions with the animal and interactions involving other people. A bond with an animal can help teens develop a better sense of self-worth and trust, stabilize their emotions, and improve their communication, self-regulation, and socialization skills.
What makes horses such effective “therapists”?
Below are lists of reasons why horses are great therapeutic teaching animals and what students can learn from working with horses:
- Horses mirror human behavior
- Horses sense and react to human feelings and actions
- Horses are large and powerful but can be led
- Horses help heal through touch
- Horses can be a friend to talk to
- Horses are a conduit through which clients can express their feelings
- Horse attitudes are similar to humans in many ways
- Horses have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods
- Horses like to play and have fun
Animal-Assisted Therapy Learning Objectives For Students:
- Long-term life skills
- Non-verbal communication
- Problem-solving skills
- Self Esteem
- Healthy attachments
- Assertiveness
- Creative thinking
- Leadership
- Confidence
- The joy of hard work
- Taking responsibility
- Building trust
- Impulse control
- Emotional regulation
- Anger management
- Goal setting
- Work ethic
- Teamwork
- Improved relationships
- Working through anxiety
- Overcoming fears