Movement Therapy In Animal Therapy

Animal Assisted Therapy also known as animal-assisted therapy has been formally introduced to the world in the last ten years or so. Although animals have always been a place of comfort for a lot of people, scientists just began to realize the impact animals have on society. The world has begun to experiment with what animals can do to benefit human health. The most common type of animal-assisted therapy is equine-assisted therapy. Equines are horses. Equine-assisted therapy 's impact on minors who have mental health issues have led to a successful new type of therapy that includes multiple benefits. Equine-assisted therapy has worked well in is treating adolescents and children how to communicate and connect with others. Two big issues that animal-assisted therapy has been known to help is Autism and kids with attachment and social problems.

Winston Churchill once said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” Some might say Churchill was ahead of his time, with the way horse assisted therapy has just recently begun growing in popularity. All over the world therapists and psychologists have been exploring the effect horses have on troubled humans. In their explorations, perhaps with Churchill’s words in mind, they are attempting to find out just how useful an equine aid is in therapeutic treatment of physical and psychological impairments. There are passionate opinions from varying viewpoints, but they all come down to whether or not horse assisted therapy is effective and should be considered a regular practice. The answer to this

“The horse acts as the teacher and unlocks the client. The animal facilitates emotional breakthroughs, and the effect, therapists report, can be magical” (Hayley Sumner).

If you’ve ever owned an animal, you know that being around them can be extremely therapeutic. After a stressful day at work or school, it is always nice to come home to your pet and feel comforted by them. Many dog owners even claim that their dogs can feel their pain. However, if you speak to anyone who has been spent their life around horses, they’ll tell you that the connection between horse and rider is unlike any other. Norwegian researcher Anita Maurstad explains in a recent article, that over time horse and rider can become so attuned to each other that they develop a state of co-being. Maurstad also found, through research, that horses appear to learn to relate to humans in ways that provide them with a good quality of life. A recent study from Washington State university has concluded that kids who work with horses have significantly lower stress levels. In addition to these, there have been numerous other studies that show that working with horses decreases blood pressure, reduced feelings of anger, tension, and anxiety. Riding horses also allows you to gain feelings of self esteem, empowerment, patience, and trust. Because of the overwhelming positive effects that horses seem to have, horses are no longer being used just for recreational or agricultural

In the field of therapy, there are numerous of therapy available out there for different type of individuals and situations as well. There is one type of therapy that usually contains people and animal, it is animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic approach that brings animals and individuals with physical and/or emotional needs together to perform the therapy. Animal-assisted therapy tend to be focused on individuals either children or elderly for them to be able to connect with the animal thus feeling comfortable talking with the therapist. Pet therapy works for all ages, whether sick or not (Lanchnit, 2011). Although, this paper, most of the focus is on animal-assisted therapy towards children using dogs.

There are numerous organizations supporting EAAT but very limited peer reviewed research was available for review. Majority of research performed for this paper was derived from personal interviews and information gathered from the various equine therapy associations. The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) is a non-profit organization founded in 1969. PATH provides certification for EAAT instructors as well as educational opportunities found within several prestigious universities. Originally PATH began utilizing horseback riding as a method of physical therapy but today the organization includes activities ranging from physical, cognitive, mental, and confidence building techniques treating a wide variety of mental and physical disabilities with something as simple as a horse. People from all walks of life have found the “power of the horse” to be an essential form of therapy for people suffering from brain injuries, mental retardation, multiple sclerosis, depression, and birth defects/disorders.

R., & Keller, J. (2001). An evaluation of therapeutic horseback riding programs for adults with physical impairments. Therapeutic Recreation

Riding horses can help build strength in the body, but it can also be used as therapy. A few years ago, Haleigh volunteered at a therapeutic horseback riding business in Clinton, Iowa, called Bright Spot Inc. At Bright Spot, Haleigh and other volunteers, work with many children with different disabilities and help them overcome their problems. Their confidence is built when they ride the horses because they feel like they can do anything. Therapeutic horseback riding has been proven to really help out people with disabilities. Horseback riding can help disabled patients better than any other form of physical therapy. The physical benefits that can be improved form therapeutic horse riding is improved circulation, respiration, balance, body metabolism, and it can help the disabled rider gain agility and strength. Horse riding can also help with the movement of the riders legs and increase coordination in their muscle groups. In one study of therapeutic horseback riding, children with disabilities improve their posture, muscle tone, and weight-bearing abilities (Bliss). After trying therapeutic horseback riding, many patients become more outgoing. Beth Bliss once said that, “Studies show that autistic children often

Horseback riding can become a miracle. Therapy horseback riding can improve the lives of disabled people. Equine-Assisted Therapy or EAT can improve hand-eye coordination, balance and strength. Horses in general can help certain people manage their stress. Riding can also help kids and adults with mental problems such as Autism and Cerebral Palsy. Many veterans who have been paralyzed from the waist down seek Equine Therapy to help rehabilitate their legs. Equine Therapy can also help manage Post Traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

Equine Physical Therapy There are two ways to become an equine physical therapist. The first route is to become a veterinarian. The second is to become a human physical therapist with an animal science option. The second option would benefit both the horse and the rider.

There are numerous benefits of using Equine Assisted Psychotherapy or any other animal therapy. One benefits is that the clients form a bond with the horse, and it in return has a positive effect on the person and the animal. Another benefit is horses can help people who struggle with social interactions. When they work with a horse it is giving them practice to opening up with people because they are forming a bond with the animal, which in turn can teach them how to form a bond with people.

Equine therapy is a practice that uses horses to aid people with disabilities. This therapy has helped people for over 50 years in the United States, and it has been used in Europe for more than 100 years. What can horses do to help people? Why can they make us feel better? Horses deserve more credit than what we are giving them. Horse therapy can strengthen our bodies, improve communication skills, and help people face their fears.

Lucy Rees once said" “Riding is a partnership. The horse lends you his strength, speed and grace, which are greater than yours. For your part, you give him guidance, intelligence and understanding which are greater than his. Together you can achieve a richness that neither can alone.” Patients are not limited to clinical settings where physical therapist examine each individual and develop a plan utilizing therapeutic methods to promote movement , alleviate pain, restore mobility and prevent disability. However, patients can also enjoy the ecstasy of a non-clinical settings compromised of a 1100 pound 4-legged therapist, a horse, with the guidance of a physical therapist.

The one that comes to mind when people refer to equine therapy is riding. Patients can ride for physical ailments (4) and behavioral disorders such as anger issues. When a child or adult has anger issues, the horse will be able to tell and may shy away from the patient until he/she proves that they will not hurt the animal (3). When a client needs to learn about empathy and anger management, a horse can be a powerful motivator (3). As humans everyone just want to be accepted, so if a horse denies someone in fear of getting hurt, the patient will become gentle and cautious with the animal to try to gain acceptance.

Equine therapy is a valuable and beneficial alternative to regular therapy. Another benefit of working with horses is improved motor skills, which I find incredibly interesting. Equine therapy is especially helpful for people with injuries or developmental disabilities. Equine therapy improves both fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills are improved by using small muscle movements, which occurs by adjusting the reins or fastening buckles. Gross motor skills improve with the use of large muscles. Getting on and off the horse is just one example of using gross motor skills. Horses are very intuitive animals, they can sense a negative or positive emotion in the blink of an eye. I think some people underestimate the sheer brilliance of