Interaction Between Veterans and Horses: Perceptions of Benefits

Voelpel, Patricia E.; Escallier, Lori A.; Fullerton, Judith T.; Abitbol, Louise

doi:10.3928/02793695-20180305-05

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…A parallel study [18] using outdoor based adventure experiences to treat veterans with PTSD found similar findings regarding veterans' renewed ways of translating the experience to their relationships. This is similar to a recent equine related study [19] for student veteran nursing students who translated interactions with horses to their personal and academic lives.…”

Section: Journal Of Complementary Medicine and Alternative Healthcaresupporting

confidence: 81%

A Mixed-Method Analysis of an Equine Complementary Therapy Program to Heal Combat Veterans

Gehrke

2018

JCMAH

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This study presents a mixed-methods analysis to understand the healing experiences of veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a heart-centered complementary therapy horsemanship program. This therapy was designed to address PTSD symptoms and involved weekly activities involving small group and one-on-one interactions with a horse and riding instructors. Previous work by our group found that this program provided significant improvement in the psychophysiological health of the participants. In this stage, the following research question was addressed: How did the veterans describe their healing experiences with horses in the program? A cohort of 9 combat veteran participants were first analyzed using the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) before and after each weekly session of the 8-week program. The PANAS results revealed a significant change in positive affect starting in week 2 (paired t test, t = -2.76, P = 0.025). Weekly writings from participant's journals were analyzed qualitatively using a phenomenological method of inquiry. This analysis resulted in a narrative integration of the significant statements, formulated meanings, and a cluster of themes. The themes centered around positive impact, connection with a horse, being present, horse mirroring, translating, trauma, and power dynamics. These themes described positive behaviors that resulted in reduced PTSD symptomology and promoted the healing phenomenon.

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Section: Journal Of Complementary Medicine and Alternative Healthcaresupporting

confidence: 81%

A Mixed-Method Analysis of an Equine Complementary Therapy Program to Heal Combat Veterans

Gehrke

2018

JCMAH

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“…Trammell [197] wrong outcomes Turner et al [198] wrong study design Voelpel et al [199] wrong study design Walsh [200] wrong study design Wheeler et al [201] wrong intervention Williams et al [202] wrong outcomes…”

Section: References Of Excluded Studies From Full Manuscript Search Reason Excludedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal-Assisted Interventions for the Improvement of Mental Health Outcomes in Higher Education Students: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

Parbery-Clark

Lubamba

Tanner

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Background: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs), particularly Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Animal-Assisted Activity (AAA), in improving mental health outcomes for students in higher education. The number of students in higher education reporting mental health problems and seeking support from universities’ student support services has risen over recent years. Therefore, providing engaging interventions, such as AAIs, that are accessible to large groups of students are attractive. Methods: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched from relative inception to end of April 2020. Additionally, a grey literature search was undertaken. Independent screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were completed, with varying percentages, by two reviewers. Results: After de-duplication, 6248 articles were identified of which 11 studies were included in the narrative synthesis. The evidence from randomised controlled trials suggests that AAIs could provide short-term beneficial results for anxiety in students attending higher education but with limited evidence for stress, and inconclusive evidence for depression, well-being and mood. For the non-statistically significant results, the studies either did not include a power calculation or were under-powered. Conclusions: Potential emerging evidence for the short-term benefits of AAI for anxiety, and possibly stress, for students in higher education was found.

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“…Research has shown that horses are social animals who can perceive, respond to, and learn from their environment (Voelpel, Escallier, Fullerton, & Abitbol, 2018).…”

Section: Psychological Benefits Of Horsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As prey animals, horses are attuned to the minutest details, even those that go unnoticed by humans. They continuously scan their environment and can communicate situations to each other, thereby building trust (Voelpel, Escallier, Fullerton, & Abitbol, 2018). Building a trusting relationship can be difficult for Veterans, thus interaction with horses has the potential to be therapeutic.…”

Section: Psychological Benefits Of Horsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress levels in veterans with PTSD and equines during therapeutic horseback riding

Butkiewicz¹

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Military Veterans are at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following exposure to combat while on deployment. Up to 30 percent of Veterans suffer from PTSD and many do not seek treatment due to the perceived stigma of seeking mental health services, distrust of the mental health profession, or perception that treatment is inadequate. Left untreated, PTSD can cause significant social, emotional, and financial hardships for the Veteran, family, and community. Animal assisted interventions (AAI) have been shown to be a successful, acceptable alternative and complementary therapy for PTSD. A literature review yielded 16 studies of AAI for Veterans with PTSD. Pinnipeds, canines, and equines were the animals used for AAI. Although the methods, lengths, and dose of therapy differed across studies, AAI were found to decrease level of PTSD, anxiety, and depression and increase in quality of life and social support. A qualitative, thematic analysis of 116 Veteran riding diary entries following therapeutic horseback riding (THR) revealed five themes: (a) social interaction, (b) self-awareness, (c) mood, (d) relationship development and bonding, and (e) positive experience. The central theme was that THR decreases the symptoms of PTSD. As research continues to support the benefits of AAI, it is essential to also study the health and welfare of the animals used. A quantitative analysis of N = 5 Veterans with PTSD participating in THR examined the relationship between level of PTSD and physiologic and behavioral indicators of stress. No significant correlation was found between level of PTSD and equine cortisol levels, nor level of PTSD and equine behavior scores (EBS). Level of PTSD did not significantly decrease across THR sessions; however, it did move in the expected direction. Although mean equine cortisol levels increased across sessions, levels remained within normal range. Three was no significant increase in mean EBS across THR sessions. Results of this dissertation support the use of AAI in Veterans with PTSD.

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Interaction Between Veterans and Horses: Perceptions of Benefits

Cited by 3 publications

References 10 publications

A Mixed-Method Analysis of an Equine Complementary Therapy Program to Heal Combat Veterans

A Mixed-Method Analysis of an Equine Complementary Therapy Program to Heal Combat Veterans

Animal-Assisted Interventions for the Improvement of Mental Health Outcomes in Higher Education Students: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

Stress levels in veterans with PTSD and equines during therapeutic horseback riding

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