Equine Therapy for Veterans

Doctors and psychotherapists have known for ages that animals can assist human beings in addressing a number of psychological problems. Dogs are brought to hospitals and nursing homes to comfort the sick and those who live alone adopt pets to help them make it through the loneliness that might otherwise be unbearable.

Similarly, a program known as Equine Therapy or Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) has been developed to help vets and others deal with mental health and/or physical problems including ADD, panic disorder, addictions, depression, relationship problems and communication issues. This alternative therapy, which is administered via collaboration between a licensed psychotherapist and a horse professional, uses horses to aid in emotional growth and learning.

What to Expect

Though some therapy programs that involve horses include riding lessons and training in horsemanship, this is not generally the case with Equine-Assisted Therapy. Rather, clients take part in standard "ground" activities with the horses, including grooming, feeding, ground training, or equine experiential activities similar to ropes-course work used in other therapy programs like Outward Bound. It is hoped that by taking part in these activities, patients will learn more about themselves.

Self-awareness comes from direct interaction with the horse(s) or by interaction with others in the program. (EAP is often done in groups.) Experts in the field note that almost any issues found in a person's relationship with themselves and others can be played out during an equine therapy session including emotional reactions, choices, behaviors, and family dynamics, noting that the animal's reaction to the client can provide insight into the client's approach and behavior, allowing the client to eventually understand what changes need to be made to lessen their problems and improve their quality of life.

Vets who are dealing with particular issues can attend sessions that are structured to deal specifically with those issues. As part of the plan, the patient is assigned particular tasks and then asked to discuss their feelings or behavior. The clinician, in turn, guides the client to discussions that might help him/her discover things about themselves and, hence, find solutions to their problems. And unlike traditional psychotherapy performed in an office setting, the therapist in an EAP situation can directly observe behaviors and responses in real time rather than rely on self-reporting done by the patient.

Does It Work?

Equine Therapy, like all forms of psychotherapy, may not work for everyone. Those who have a fear of horses may have a concern about participating. However, the program may help the individual overcome that fear and create a sense of accomplishment and confidence.

In general, though this kind of therapy is fairly new, it has enjoyed much success. Working with a horse - a large living thing - allows the client to learn about things like accountability, responsibility, anger, anxiety, and trust, all issues that enter into a number of mental health disorders and to address them with the help of the therapist. The result has been a self-awareness that reaches new heights.

In some cases, patients who participate in these programs and learn to address factors that affect their mental health are able to reduce their medications or may even be able to stop taking them. Many who have been through the program also develop a life-long love of horses and continue working with the animals even when their therapy is considered complete, adding yet another dimension to their lives.

Sources

Eagala
http://www.eagala.org

Flying Change Equine Assisted Program
http://www.flyingchange.org