This book provides an overview of the field of Equine-Assisted Therapy and Learning and gives a powerful account of a research study charting the experiences of seven 'at-risk' young people attending a pioneering Therapeutic Horsemanship centre in the UK. The book includes a foreword from Leif Hallberg, author of Walking the Way of the Horse .
Riding Home:The Power of Horses to Heal, Horse Nation's must read book of 2016, is the first and only book to scientifically and experientially explain why horses have the extraordinary ability to emotionally transform the lives of thousands of men, women and children, whether they are horse lovers, or suffering from deep psychological wounds. It is a book for anyone who wants to experience the joy, wonder, self-awareness and peace of mind that comes from creating a horse/human relationship, and it puts forth and clarifies the principles of today's Natural Horsemanship (or what was once referred to as "Horse Whispering") Everyone knows someone who needs help: a husband, a wife, a partner, a child, a friend, a troubled teenager, a war veteran with PTSD, someone with autism, an addiction, anyone in emotional pain or who has lost their way. Riding Home provides riveting examples of how Equine Therapy has become one of today's most effective cutting-edge methods of healing. Horses help us discover hidden parts of ourselves, whether we're seven or seventy. They model relationships that demonstrate acceptance, kindness, honesty, tolerance, patience, justice, compassion, and forgiveness. Horses cause all of us to become better people, better parents, better partners, and better friends. A horse can be our greatest teacher, for horses have no egos, they never lie, they're never wrong and they manifest unparalleled compassion. It is this amazing power of horses to heal and teach us about ourselves that is accessible to anyone and found in the pages of Tim Hayes's Riding Home. The information and lists of therapeutic and non-therapeutic equine programs, which are contained in the book, are also available at the book's website.
The EAGALA model is the global standard in equine-assisted psychotherapy. Stories from founder Lynn Thomas and trainer Mark Lytle bring the model's principles to life.
This marvelous book, borne of a unique collaboration between Dr. Allen Schoen—a world-renowned veterinarian and author—and trainer and competitor of many years Susan Gordon, introduces the 25 Principles of Compassionate Equitation. These Principles, conceived by Dr. Schoen and Gordon, are a set of developmental guidelines, encouraging a level of personal awareness that may be enacted not only through the reader's engagement with horses, but can be extended to all humans and sentient beings he or she encounters. The 25 Principles share stories and outline current, peer-reviewed studies that identify and support methods of training, handling, and caring for horses that constitute a safe, healthy, non-stressful, and pain-free environment. Through their Compassionate Equestrian program, the authors encourage all involved in the horse industry to approach training and handling with compassion and a willingness to alleviate suffering. By developing deeper compassion for their own horses, and subsequently, all equines, equestrians transcend their differences in breed preferences, riding disciplines, and training methodologies. This leads to the ability to empathize and connect more closely with the “global collective” of horses and horse people. In doing so, a worldwide community of compassionate equine practitioners and horse owners will emerge, which will not only benefit the horses: People involved with horses are found in many influential segments of society and have the potential to affect wide circles of friends, acquaintances, and co-workers from every walk of life. These are simple changes any horse person can make that can have a vast impact on the horse industry and society as a whole.
The integration of animals into the therapy setting by psychotherapists has been a growing trend. Psychological problems treated include emotional and behavioral problems, attachment issues, trauma, and developmental disorders. An influential 1970s survey suggests that over 20 percent of therapists in the psychotherapy division of the American Psychological Association incorporated animals into their treatment in some fashion. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number is much higher today. Since Yeshiva University psychologist Boris Levinson popularized the involvement of animals in psychotherapy in the 1960s, Israel has come to be perhaps the most advanced country in the world in the area of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP). This is true especially in the areas of academic training programs, theory-building, and clinical practice. Great effort has been put into understanding the mechanisms behind AAP, as well as into developing ethical guidelines that take into account the therapist's responsibility toward both client and animal. This book exposes the world to the theory and practice of AAP as conceived and used in Israel. It emphasizes evidence-based and clinically sound applications with psychotherapeutic goals, as differentiated from other animal-assisted interventions, such as AAE (animal-assisted education) and AAA (animal-assisted activities), which may have education or skills-oriented goals. Not just anyone with a dog can call him-or herself an animal-assisted therapist. This volume demonstrates not only the promise of animal-assisted psychotherapeutic approaches, but also some of the challenges the field still needs to overcome to gain widespread legitimacy.
This book provides an overview of the field of Equine-Assisted Therapy and Learning and gives a powerful account of a research study charting the experiences of seven 'at-risk' young people attending a pioneering Therapeutic Horsemanship centre in the UK. The book includes a foreword from Leif Hallberg, author of Walking the Way of the Horse .
Biotherapy is defined as the use of living organisms in the treatment and diagnosis of human and animal diseases. This volume is an evocative exploration of the history, scientific basis and practical use of the major biotherapy modalities. The authors provide researchers and practitioners interested in this field, with cutting-edge material on the latest key advances in the following fields of biotherapy: Maggot Therapy, Hirudotherapy, Bee Venom Therapy, Apitherapy, Ichthyotherapy, Helminth Therapy, Phage Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy, Canine Olfactory Detection. In addition, the authors provide with their chapters an extensive bibliography that represents a state-of-the-art survey of the literature. Comprehensive and current, this fresh volume of reviews is an essential resource for professionals who need to stay ahead of the game in the exciting field of biotherapy.
"At long last, there is a book written for those seeking to learn the business basic essentials for a successful journey into equine-assisted therapy and learning. Practical and pragmatic, Horse Sense Business Sense relates the straightforward and oftentimes humour stories of Shannon Knapp's own journey from idealistic up-start to savvy entrepreneur, with key principles and points for the new therapy and learning business. With more than twenty years in practice and thousands of contact hours with clients, Shannon Knapp has learned firsthand that creating a successful practice comes only after making mistakes. Learn the necessary "Horse Sense" principles to avoid common pitfalls that can threaten your success in this exciting new field of Equine-Assisted Services!" -- Back cover.
Since time eternal horses have walked beside us, helping to shape our destinies, taking us on journeys of the soul, and offering as a gift their power, mystique, and beauty. While it has taken some time, mental health professionals and educators alike have begun to formally acknowledge the emotional, mental and physical benefits that humans can receive by spending time with horses. In the U.S. alone, there are already more than 900 programs that offer therapeutic or educational programming provided in partnership with horses. Leif Hallberg has extensively researched the field of Equine Facilitated Mental Health and Educational Services, and this book reveals the many ways horses can help humans. Become familiar with: Key definitions Historical information about working with horses in therapeutic and educational settings Ethical considerations Practical applications Learn more about the healing power of horses and their rich history of working together with humans in Walking the Way of the Horse. For additional information about this book, and Leif Hallberg visit www.walkingthewayofthehorse.com
