Equine-assisted therapy

Abstract

Since 2008, the Samuel S. Stratton Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Albany, New York, has offered the Equine-Assisted Therapy Program for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The first year, the program ran for 7 weeks, and in 2009 and 2010, we were able to run 12-week programs in the summers and a 9-week program in the fall of 2010. Also in 2010, veterans from the VA's Adaptive Sports Program enjoyed a 3-hour sampler afternoon. In 2011, we are holding two 10-week sessions. EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY PROGRAM Six veterans from various mental health programs are enrolled in each round of sessions. Each veteran identifies one or two goals on which he or she would like to focus; some of the more common goals are improving verbal and nonverbal communication, decreasing anxiety, handling frustration, building confidence and self-esteem, completing tasks, and becoming more aware of feelings. Arriving at the facility early in the afternoon, the veterans groom their horses and do groundwork, a training process for establishing communication with the horse, for about an hour and a half. Grooming is important for bonding and building a relationship with the horse and is one form of Game. Friendly Game is one of seven games played with the horses as a way to train the horse. The other six games establish the veteran as the leader and teach both the veteran and the horse skills that will be used when the veteran mounts the horse. These games invite the horse to move in various ways: forward and backward, sideways, in a circle, moving just the head, just the hind quarter, head and shoulders, etc., and to walk, trot, and stop when asked. The program is considered a riding program, but if the veterans are ready, they may do some of these games while mounted. Using a bareback pad or saddle, they tack up their horse and mount. All the skills learned on the ground can be applied to the mounted work. Afterward, they remove and put away the tack, give their horses a carrot or apple treat, and return them to their stalls. Group discussion and processing follow each session. The psychologist and recreation therapist guide the processing to important issues and help the veterans communicate (with humans); acknowledge their feelings, frustrations, and successes; focus on their goals; and provide and receive feedback and suggestions. If needed, some veterans may meet individually with one of the therapists between equine sessions. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HORSES AND PTSD People with PTSD often isolate themselves, have difficulty connecting with others, and have difficulty trusting others. Many people connect more easily with animals, who can be more accepting of them, do talk back, and enjoy being touched. This is the reason that pet therapy is so popular. Horses are larger than the average pet, so veterans with PTSD who have problems controlling their impulses realize immediately that, if they express their anger violently or make sudden unexpected motions, the horse is big enough to cause them significant harm. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As prey animals, horses are hypervigilant until they learn they are in danger. Unlike with many dogs, who trust unconditionally, horses require humans to work to gain their trust. Because of their own hypervigilance, veterans with PTSD easily understand and can relate to the trust and hypervigilance in a horse. Other symptoms of PTSD are emotional numbness, a feeling of not being in one's body, and a lack of awareness of body language. Horses understand communication primarily through body language, so the veterans with PTSD learn to become more aware of their bodies, their body language, and expression of emotion through their bodies. They must become aware of the body language of the horse, which helps them become aware of others' body language, too. …