Many children find even the simplest task of interacting with others daunting. Alexandra Dingman, who works with autistic children, sees this struggle daily; but she also sees a brighter future for these children. She explains, “Though it is rare for Jonah to talk directly with humans, he will talk to horses and even the barn dog.” Dingman sees this progress and hope in Equine Therapy, and emerging area of study that can help autistic patients or anyone with a disability, even those who can’t walk. Benjamin elucidates, “Hippotherapy literally means treatment with the help of a horse, from the Greek word hippos meaning horse” (2). Researchers have just recently begun to study how this type of therapy affects patients. Hippotherapy, also referred to as equine therapy, is a therapeutic solution that involves the interaction between horses and patients, whether it includes horseback riding or simple physical contact. According to Bass, “Animal assisted therapy, defined as using animals within a goal oriented setting to implement treatment, has been shown to significantly benefit cognitive, psychological, and social domains” (1). Due to overwhelmingly positive results, I believe that equine therapy is a viable option for helping those with autism, or similar disorders, to improve social skills, and helping those with physical disabilities that hinder or prevent them from using basic motor skills.
According to research, hippotherapy has been highly successful in improving motor skills in patients. There are many different aspects of equine therapy that can improve motor skills. Some of the techniques involved in hippotherapy that can improve motor skills are performed while mounted on the back of a horse. While a patient is on a horse, one of the main areas affected is balance. Researcher Greg Borzo furthers the claim that equine therapy can greatly improve a patient’s motor skills. Borzo confirms “a horse’s rhythmic, repetitive movements work to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, strength, flexibility and cognitive skills” (2). The movements also generate responses in the patient that are similar to and essential for walking. In addition, adjusting to and accommodating for the horse’s movements increases sensorimotor integration,” (Borzo 8). Because of these benefits to balance and coordination, equine therapy is a viable option for those relearning how to walk, or even those patients who are trying to learn to walk on prosthetic legs. In the article, “Hoof Prints,” Dingman argues that even outside of the actual therapy time spent with a horse, motor skills can be improved. Carrying tack, cleaning stalls, and the general laborious activities that come with tending for a horse can help patients progress their motor skills and get exercise that they would otherwise not have an opportunity to participate in. Yet another benefit on motor skills from equine therapy is the wide range of diversity that is not offered in a traditional therapy setting. Yee- Pay Wuang explains that the boredom that can accompany traditional methods can create a hindrance to progress. Hippotherapy overcomes this hindrance. Joann Benjamin believes that with continued study and research “the possibilities of using the strategy are endless, as the input from the movement of the horse is so strong, and provides such a variety of sensory-motor experiences,” (6).
Hippotherapy has also proven to have very positive outcomes on social skills. Equine therapy is a completely viable option as a treatment for the correction and improvement of social skills. Social interaction can be one of the most difficult areas for children suffering from autism to overcome, and it is an area that has been causing suffering to these children and their families for far too long. By participating in Equine therapy, patients begin to form a bond, or friendship, with the horse they interact with. This bond can serve as a stepping- stone to form
ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY: ITS IMPLICATIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND THE NURSING PROFESSION Amanda J. Sawdey Western Kentucky University: School of Nursing Fall 2014 Abstract There are many pertinent implications of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) to the mental health and nursing profession. In this project there will be discussions of the definitions of AAT, the history of the practice, current types of animal-assisted therapy, potential benefits, ethical concerns, and finally it’s implication…
of animal assisted therapy was in 1792 at an asylum in England. William Tuke incorporated farm animals, including rabbits and chickens, to help control patients instead of using restraints. Animal assisted therapy can be helpful in some types of treatment. While animal assisted therapy is relatively new in the medical field and all therapists might not find it useful, using animal assisted therapy is helpful in many kinds of therapy. Not to be confused with Animal Assisted Therapy, another form of…
Small Group Proposal Mental Health Group for Adolescent Boys I. Abstract- brief statement summarizing concept and rationale for the group The small group that is being proposed is designed for adolescent boys, ages 13-17, who have been recently diagnosed with a mental illness. The focus of the treatment group is for the boys to come to accept their mental illness using the seven stages of death designed by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.…
Snake bite is one of the medical emergencies most commonly reported from the developing countries of the tropical region. Snake bite is major public health hazard and neglected tropical disease in India[16].The estimated annual death due to snake bite in India is nearly 50,000 persons. Persistent efforts thus have been made to make it a notifiable disease in the south-east asia region(SEAR) of the WHO[17]. This study explores the profile of 328 snake bite victims and analyzed their socio-demographic…
continuing education courses. • Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis. • Conduct postmortem studies and analyses to determine the causes of animals' deaths. • Determine the effects of drug therapies, antibiotics, or new surgical techniques by testing them on animals. • Direct the overall operations of animal hospitals, clinics, or mobile services to farms. • Drive mobile clinic vans to farms so that health problems can be treated or prevented…
Veterinary Practice Procedures and Equipment Task 1 (P4) * A puppy undergoing a routine castration Equipment used: anaesthetic monitors, anaesthetic mask, endotracheal tube, shaver, drapes sterile surgical pack which will include - gauze sponges, scalpel handle, scissors and needle holder, clamps, suture needle, forceps and scalpel blade, People that are involved: Veterinary surgeon and a veterinary nurse, there may also be others that will be on hand to help. Pre – before castration…
N E U R O The Nervous System Function Controls and integrates sensory, motor and autonomic functions Maintains internal homeostasis Enables connection and response to external environment Divisions of the Nervous System Central Nervous System (CNS) Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) The Brain Control Center of the nervous system About 1400 grams/3 lbs Protected by the skull 3 protective membranes (Meninges) Dura Mater – Outter Layer Arachnoid – Middle Layer Pia Mater – Inner Layer Epidural Space…