Research into animal assisted therapy is fairly new. However, there's a general consensus that therapy animals can be a highly beneficial addition to treatment programs for most people.
Being in the presence of horses helps a person focus while the calming environment helps them
relax. Our program is unique in that we believe in letting the horse pick the person, rather than "assigning" the person and horse to each other. It's a unique method that has had excellent results.
We allow our visitors to meet each horse. We watch the interaction between human and horse. If the horse dips his head or nuzzles the individual, it's an indication that a bond is being formed and the individual has been "chosen". Activities are then created to strengthen that bond and build trust.
Motor skills are also developed as the person learns to groom and work around the horses. Equine assisted learning offers a safe, secure environment where a staff member, and community members will be close at hand as new skills are learned. These new skills, and the individual’s continued improvement upon them, increase their self-confidence, which increases their desire and willingness to learn skills at home and/or at school. Learning is no longer scary, but fun, interesting and rewarding.
An individual’s ability to interact socially is often improved as well. The sessions teach the individual how to interact with others as we work to include as many individuals into a session as is acceptable. And, not only are basic communication and motor skills improved, but many individuals experience improvements in their overall moods. Individuals who
before experienced angry outbursts or who rarely smiled are suddenly calmer. Often, they begin making eye contact with the horse first, then with other people in the group. Soon after that, the individual often becomes more socially open; again, with the horse first, then with individuals in the group.
It is our wish to improve the over-all well being of each individual who participates in the experience.