A Program Evaluation: Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Outcomes for Children and Adolescents

Abstract

This study evaluates early outcomes of a program in the Midwest United States adhering to the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) model of equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) involving a licensed mental health professional, an equine specialist, and horses or donkeys in the service provision. Designed to impact social behavior in children and adolescents struggling with issues of mental health diagnosis and/or family-home issues, the topics central to the program include skill building such as leadership, listening, emotional self-control, problem-solving, setting boundaries, and self-awareness. Data from the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-2), Second Edition, was collected for 19 participants, from both their parents and teachers, following participation in the 10-week program. Overall, results are mixed with several promising findings that require more exploration. Paired-samples t-tests indicate that some participants demonstrated significant improvement in both primary and composite scales that served as a framework for pre and post testing (Reynolds and Kamphaus in BASC-2: Behavioral assessment system for children. Minneapolis, MN, Reynolds, C., & Kamphaus, R. W. (2004). BASC-2: Behavioral assessment system for children. Minneapolis, MN) and included: anxiety, social skills, study skills, anger control, aggression. The authors discuss ways to augment the effectiveness of program evaluation in EAP.