Goals and Anticipated Outcome:  Using horse and animal therapy provides unique results not often seen in other forms of therapy. For example, horses will reflect their handlers which allow the youth to be more aware of their feelings.  By developing sensitivity to a horse, youth can enhance their life skills. 

Animal Assisted Therapy programs date back to the 1940’s.  Within the last ten years, our community has seen remarkable results in children and teens involved in these programs.  According to studies conducted by Trotter, K., Chandler, C., Goodwin-Bond, D., & Casey, J.(2008) “Participants in the EAC experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant greater decrease in five negative behaviors and statistically significant greater increase in two positive behaviors when compared to the RD treatment group.  The improved areas were (a) social Stress, (b) Self Esteem, (c) Behavioral Symptoms Index, (d) Externalizing Problems Composite, (e) Hyperactivity, (f) Aggression, and (g) Conduct Problems.” 

In our program, we would encourage the participant to choose their own horse.  The relationship between a horse and the rider is essential towards the social and emotional improvements we are working towards.  Horses naturally mirror the emotions or feelings that a rider has.  For example, when the rider is stressed, the horse picks that up and mirrors that emotion back to the rider, thereby helping the rider become more in touch with their emotions.  This feedback is unconditional and objective and can often be the first relationship of trust a child ever has.  This horse/youth bond is the start to forging more positive relationships and is our goal for this academy.

What will it do for the Community?

Our program at the farm and ranch center will enrich our community by providing services that will benefit individual needs, family and relationship conflicts, and adolescent growth and social support.