Social and Personal Relationship Outcomes through Participation in Equine-Assisted Therapy

Authors

  • Amanda Ervin University of Lethbridge
  • Lyn Litchke Southeastern Council for Addiction and Drug Dependence in Connecticut, USA
  • Crystal Massie Colorado State University
  • Jon Doan University of Lethbridge

Abstract

Equine-assisted therapy has been known to promote self-confidence, self-efficacy, and to help participants achieve an improvement in well-being. We conducted a pilot study to investigate the impact that one session of equine-assisted therapy would have on social and personal affect in 17 individuals aged 8-30 years, with physical and mental health challenges. Equine-assisted therapy has been known to promote self-confidence, self-efficacy, and cause participants to have an improvement in well-being. Observation-based scales were utilized before and after one session of equine-assisted therapy. Our data revealed participation in equine-assisted therapy increased social and personal affect skills including improvements in self-confidence, conflict management, and respect toward others. These findings provide encouraging implications for equine-assisted therapy, outdoor recreation, and the ecological approach to therapeutic recreation.

Published

2024-09-17

Issue

Section

Feature Articles