Benefits to the Veteran
Benefits of Equine Therapy
Can grooming and riding horses foster recovery from PTSD? According to a recent article published in the Psychiatric Times, the answer is “yes”. Evidence has continued to accumulate; more rigorous controlled studies are being conducted, resulting in the emergence of a significant body of literature supporting the therapeutic value of the human-companion animal interaction. An article reviewing the benefits of animal-assisted therapy has even appeared in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association.
The attempt of this program is to help instill the following coping skills in veterans.
Confidence:
The learning and mastery of a new skill horsemanship--enhances Veterans' confidence in their ability to tackle new projects, such as recovery, and leads to improved self-esteem.
Self-Efficacy:
Learning to communicate and achieve harmony with a large animal promotes renewed feelings of efficacy. A motivated "I can do it!" replaces feelings of helplessness and motivation, empowering the Veteran to take on challenges in other areas of recovery.
Self-Concept:
Riding helps patients to develop a more realistic view of themselves through awareness of their size in relation to the horse. This is especially important in patients with interpersonal aggression problems.
Communication:
Horses' sensitivity to non-verbal communication assists patients in developing greater awareness of their emotions, the non-verbal cues that they may be communicating, and the important role of non-verbal communication in relationships.
Trust:
Learning to trust an animal such as a horse also aides in the development, or restoration, of trust for those whose ability to trust has been impacted by PTSD.
Perspective:
Through grooming activities and other types of care for a specific horse, Veterans are able to put aside the absorbing focus of their PTSD, such as depressive ruminations, and instead to direct their attention and interests outwardly toward safe and caring interactions.
Anxiety Reduction:
Many studies of human-animal interaction indicate that contact with animals significantly reduces physiological anxiety levels. Some Veterans are initially afraid of horses. But horses' genuineness and affection allay these fears, helping Veterans to embrace exposure therapy for their PTSD issues.
Decreasing Isolation:
For many individuals with PTSD, there is a long-term or recent history of feeling rejected by, and different from, other people. PTSD is intrinsically an isolating experience. The horse's unconditional acceptance invites patients back into the fellowship of life.
Self-Acceptance:
Many Veterans are initially concerned that they will do something embarrassing while learning about or riding the horses. Yet they quickly learn that the other participants are engaged in their own equine experiences, and they observe the comfort of the horses in their own skin. Fears of embarrassment in public are thereby often reduced and self-acceptance increased.
Impulse Modulation:
Particularly for those whose PTSD involves the experience of lost control over impulses, the need to communicate with a horse calmly and non-reactively promotes the skills of emotional awareness, emotion regulation, self-control, and impulse modulation. Research clearly indicates that animal-assisted therapy reduces patient agitation and aggressiveness and increases cooperativeness and behavioral control.
Social Skills:
Many individuals with PTSD are socially isolated or withdrawn. A positive relationship with a horse is often a first, safe step toward practicing the social skills needed to initiate closer relationships with people.
Assertiveness:
Communicating effectively with a horse requires the rider to demonstrate assertiveness, direction, and initiative, important skills that enable the Veteran to express their needs and rights more effectively in other relationships.
Creative Freedom:
Many Veterans with PTSD have been emotionally inhibited or over-controlled, and have lost some measure of spontaneity. The playful aspects of riding and team equine activities can help restore spontaneity and ability for healthy recreation and play.
Can grooming and riding horses foster recovery from PTSD? According to a recent article published in the Psychiatric Times, the answer is “yes”. Evidence has continued to accumulate; more rigorous controlled studies are being conducted, resulting in the emergence of a significant body of literature supporting the therapeutic value of the human-companion animal interaction. An article reviewing the benefits of animal-assisted therapy has even appeared in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association.
The attempt of this program is to help instill the following coping skills in veterans.
Confidence:
The learning and mastery of a new skill horsemanship--enhances Veterans' confidence in their ability to tackle new projects, such as recovery, and leads to improved self-esteem.
Self-Efficacy:
Learning to communicate and achieve harmony with a large animal promotes renewed feelings of efficacy. A motivated "I can do it!" replaces feelings of helplessness and motivation, empowering the Veteran to take on challenges in other areas of recovery.
Self-Concept:
Riding helps patients to develop a more realistic view of themselves through awareness of their size in relation to the horse. This is especially important in patients with interpersonal aggression problems.
Communication:
Horses' sensitivity to non-verbal communication assists patients in developing greater awareness of their emotions, the non-verbal cues that they may be communicating, and the important role of non-verbal communication in relationships.
Trust:
Learning to trust an animal such as a horse also aides in the development, or restoration, of trust for those whose ability to trust has been impacted by PTSD.
Perspective:
Through grooming activities and other types of care for a specific horse, Veterans are able to put aside the absorbing focus of their PTSD, such as depressive ruminations, and instead to direct their attention and interests outwardly toward safe and caring interactions.
Anxiety Reduction:
Many studies of human-animal interaction indicate that contact with animals significantly reduces physiological anxiety levels. Some Veterans are initially afraid of horses. But horses' genuineness and affection allay these fears, helping Veterans to embrace exposure therapy for their PTSD issues.
Decreasing Isolation:
For many individuals with PTSD, there is a long-term or recent history of feeling rejected by, and different from, other people. PTSD is intrinsically an isolating experience. The horse's unconditional acceptance invites patients back into the fellowship of life.
Self-Acceptance:
Many Veterans are initially concerned that they will do something embarrassing while learning about or riding the horses. Yet they quickly learn that the other participants are engaged in their own equine experiences, and they observe the comfort of the horses in their own skin. Fears of embarrassment in public are thereby often reduced and self-acceptance increased.
Impulse Modulation:
Particularly for those whose PTSD involves the experience of lost control over impulses, the need to communicate with a horse calmly and non-reactively promotes the skills of emotional awareness, emotion regulation, self-control, and impulse modulation. Research clearly indicates that animal-assisted therapy reduces patient agitation and aggressiveness and increases cooperativeness and behavioral control.
Social Skills:
Many individuals with PTSD are socially isolated or withdrawn. A positive relationship with a horse is often a first, safe step toward practicing the social skills needed to initiate closer relationships with people.
Assertiveness:
Communicating effectively with a horse requires the rider to demonstrate assertiveness, direction, and initiative, important skills that enable the Veteran to express their needs and rights more effectively in other relationships.
Creative Freedom:
Many Veterans with PTSD have been emotionally inhibited or over-controlled, and have lost some measure of spontaneity. The playful aspects of riding and team equine activities can help restore spontaneity and ability for healthy recreation and play.
