...Why are therapy horses the best? Therapy horses help people with all types of autism and other disabilities. Like stated in the article from, “Everyday Health” there is something called hippo-therapy which utilizes the movement of horses for physical, occupational, or speech therapy, and this has been used to treat motor and sensory issues associated with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and stroke. Even though horses have been used for physical therapy since the fifth century, the hippo-therapy wasn’t established until the 1960s. But, there are many more ways therapy horses are the best this is through a system called equine-assisted psychotherapy. Equine-assisted psychotherapy is a type of experiential psychotherapy that uses them to help...
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...like to advocate for is the integration of animal-assisted therapy into more counseling settings. This type of therapy can be used effectively in a variety of settings, including private practice, prisons, nursing homes, detention centers, hospitals, schools, etc. It is particularly effective with at-risk children and adolescents, the elderly, and other vulnerable populations (Franchy, 2011). When animals are used in therapy, it makes it easier for counselors to build positive therapeutic alliances with their clients. Many children and adolescents prefer to communicate in non-verbal ways; therefore, when a counselor brings an animal, such as a dog, into the counseling session, it becomes much easier for a child or adolescent to open up and express their thoughts and feelings by “project[ing] their own feelings onto the dog” (Shallcross, 2011, A Comfortable Relationship section, para. 5). The child or adolescent is more likely to establish a relationship with the dog, which then transfers to a relationship with the counselor. The animal helps clients feel more comfortable with the counselor, which in turn, facilitates more trust, warmth, and acceptance. Animal-assisted therapy “facilitates breakthroughs with clients” (Shallcross, 2011, para. 1). It enables many different types of clients to open up more freely and express themselves in ways they would not have otherwise. There are endless benefits to using animals in therapy work, but more research needs to be done in order...
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...2012 Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy Throughout human history, “animals have occupied a central position in theories concerning the ontology and treatment of sickness and disease” (Serpell 16). Animals have played a major role in the lives of humans in ways that have affected our entire being and survival. Countless amounts of people, animals, and time have been put into bringing AAT all over the world; as a result, five other countries have adopted this form of therapy. The volunteers and workers of Animal Assisted Therapy have pushed to bring an exciting new therapy to children and adults all around. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a familiar method of treatment and rehabilitation in many diseases and conditions, where the animal becomes an important “behavioral facilitator”, causing improvements in the behavior and health of the patient. “Numerous authors and medical professionals point to its importance and in particular that the positive feedback between the patient, the animal, and the therapist reduces many symptoms, and improves the quality of life” (Yeh 2005). The history of Animal Assisted Therapy can be traced back to the 9th Century. It is a goal-oriented intervention in which an animal that meets the criteria becomes an integral part of the treatment process for patients. The benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy far outweigh the risks, and should be used and recognized as an effective form of therapy. AAT in a natural environment...
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...social awareness and clumsiness. In the past and continuing present, typical treatments for ASD primarily focus on improvement and behavior modification. While medication is prescribed to control severe symptoms such as hyperactivity or seizures, there are no known cures for autism. (Therapeutic) There are only methods aimed towards lessening symptoms. However, research into a fairly new treatment called equine assisted therapy, is beginning to show signs of promise. Equine assisted therapy is a type of animal assisted therapy, a field of mental health that acknowledges the bond between horses and humans. It acknowledges the potential for mental healing that can occur when a relationship is formed between the two species, among other benefits as well (Therapeutic). It involves equine activities organized and facilitated by a licensed mental health professional, often with the assistance of a horse professional. These activities are most often completed on the ground and include such things as grooming, feeding, haltering and leading the horse. During the therapy session with the horse, the therapist and participant partake in talk psychotherapy, processing emotions, behaviors and repetitions. The fundamental objective for the child is to build skills including personal accountability, assertiveness, non-verbal communication, confidence, and self-control (ET) With more studies arising, there has been...
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...Equine Therapy November 2014 Equine assisted therapy is a means to promote personal, physical, emotional, and mental growth in a child that is otherwise therapy resistant. In an Autistic child who is non-verbal, has poor social skills, and is inflexible with routines and schedules, Equine assisted therapy is a big step towards personal growth. When a child participates in Equine therapy they learn a sense of responsibility by learning how to properly care for and clean up after the horses. They develop a sense of belonging, of feeling like they finally fit in somewhere because they are constantly surrounded by the same people, who don't make fun of them, and are in a way just like them. Gradually and continuously participating in this type of therapy gives a child a humongous self-esteem boost because once they are able to conquer the ability to control an animal that is ten times their size, in their mind they are able to conquer and overcome anything that's thrown in front of them. It has been proven that when a child who is autistic or has disabilities engages in Equine assisted therapy, their communication, overall physical and behavioral skills increase dramatically. For example, for a child who has physical disabilities, riding a horse tremendously improves balance, coordination, sensory motor skills and posture. "Being on the horse has improved her sense of balance tremendously. At one time she had to think about sitting up, and if she relaxed she would begin to...
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...Equine Assisted Psychotherapy The Benefits of Horses in Non-Traditional Therapy In the last few decades Animal-Assisted Therapy, or (AAT) has become more widely accepted and practiced as a tool in psychiatric medicine, as there are many positive effects on humans. One of the most beneficial subdivisions of Animal-Assisted Therapy is Equine Assisted Psychotherapy or (EAP) where patients are paired up with licensed therapists and equine specialists to conduct individual therapy sessions using the horse. Patients who use Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy learn about themselves, and process behaviors, feelings and patterns. Many EAP programs chose to pair patients with horses who always display similar personalities to help create a better mutual...
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...Equine Therapy for Trouble kids and Handicapped Children Equine riding is not just for a person owning a horse. There is one type of therapy that usually contains people or animals, it is animal-supported therapy is a therapeutic approach that brings animals and individuals with physical and/or emotional needs together to perform the therapy. Today there are programs out there that help kids that are in trouble with the law, or come from broken homes, or even children that have autism or even Down syndrome. Horses are a great source for therapy and bonding. There are many types for programs out there to help these children. Lots of them are non-profit organizations and relay on donations. Therapeutic riding programs for disabled children has been around for a while. Some of these programs are ran from charities and are non-profit organizations. These programs help kids build muscle and balance. Equestrian therapy is particularly applied to children with Attention Deficit Disorder, a delay in mental development, autism, or anxiety, or even dementia. Genetic syndromes and Down syndrome, trauma from brain injuries, and other health issues. Muscle tone is one physical aspect of a disabled child that needs to be corrected and learning to ride a horse can provide the needed healing for this muscle defect. There for riding a horse would teach the child to balance his or her body while enjoying the experience of riding a horse. The lack of having coordination...
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...Liberty University Abstract As the world looks at the reality of communal exchange, thumbing back to historical debates of empirical and rational schools of thought, delineations from dualism to social interchange and collaboration refine hypothesis’ of undisputable truth. Reminiscent of the psychoanalytic movement with greats such as Freud, Jung and Adler, therapy, more of an art than science, and current day philosophies drive which models influence today’s truth. Reality is fashioned by language, how we feel, act and think, revealing “stories” we tell the self as contextual meanings. These beliefs now evolve one’s creation and truth. The therapist, joining in recognition of new perspectives, empowers and helps the client see that forward progress is strength within oneself. In a social constructivist point of view, the therapist detaches from the expert status of defining the problem. From family therapy and the multicultural lens, therapists now challenge cultural factors that, in turn, shape the client’s perceptions in the format of brief therapies. Keywords: brief therapies, collaborative, family therapy, social constructionism Postmodern Approach to Social Constructivism In the 21st century a paradigm shift motivated the field of psychology to unlock a fresh world view revealing the objet d'art of collective exchange. Referring to the modernistic creation of self, it is said that the anthropological essence and the search for truth is being reworked...
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...Equine Facilitated Therapies: They Just Work Animal assisted therapies (AAT) such as, horse therapies, have grown in popularity over the last couple of decades because people are beginning to realize exactly what horses can offer. Horses are not just here to be used for recreation, or just as "pasture pals," they have other significant qualities that many people in the past and present have disregarded. It has been eluded to that the practice of horse therapy originated from ancient Greece (Cameron and Robey 1) though, there is no conclusive evidence of this. However, some of histories important people such as Mark Twain recognized horses as a therapeutic tool by suggesting "the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man." Although...
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...encouragement to focus on feelings and behaviors. The following research will provide an insight into Adlerian and Reality, Cognitive Behavioral, Solution Focused, Person-Centered, Gestalt, REBT, and Existential therapy. Keywords: journey, chance, encouragement, relationships, communication Philosophical Assumptions At some point in life everyone wants to feel as though they are truly being heard and understood by others. I believe empathy is at the core of understanding and developing a relationship with the client. Elliott, Bohart, Watson, and Greenberg (2011) re-emphasize Carl Rogers’ definition of empathy as “the therapist’s sensitive ability and willingness to understand the client’s thoughts, feelings and struggles from the client’s point of view” (Elliott, Bohart, Watson, and Greenberg, p44, 2011). Once empathy and a trusting relationship are established the ideas and skills for change and acceptance can be introduced. Change is not always a welcomed entity and often brings about anxiety, stress, and conflict. In my theory I believe that hope, strength, and meaning are the building blocks for change. Artist Mary Engelbreit once said, “If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” However, in a therapy session change can only begin to spark with the cooperation and trust of...
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...Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a popular technique used in the field of counseling. CBT is a form of therapy that helps clients change problematic behaviors and maladaptive thoughts (Corey, 2016). Corey (2016) states CBT is trying to help the client change the behavior, not just understand it. CBT is allowing clients to actively make changes in their life. CBT is a great form of therapy for groups because the treatment style is beneficial for a wide range of specific problems for diverse clients. (Corey, 2016) Participating in CBT in a group allows members a safe place where they can try out more effective behaviors to be used in day-to-day life. CBT incorporates many different concepts and techniques. The counselor will conduct a behavior...
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...Letia Childs May 2, 2011 Topics in Psychology Professor Hoplight The infamous Cocaine Growing up in a poverty stricken neighborhood in Washington, DC where crime and drugs were the source of corruption of many family and lives, including mine. Remembering, the nights when my mother use to sneak out of the house and walk to the nearest crack house that was only a couple of houses down from me, became memories that changed my life forever. Witnessing other families that suffered from family members on drugs, never did I imagine that it would soon become my mother. These occasional nights turned into days, then suddenly missing weeks. It wasn’t until my sisters and I were separated from each other and our parents, that this unimaginable habit became a harsh reality. The separation of our family grew this habit into a monster that tore our once happy family apart forever. Crack cocaine is a drug that has circulated many urban communities and lives for decades, in this essay I will present major research about this horrific drug and its extreme effects, physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally. “Cocaine was first used in the 1880’s as an anesthetic in eye, nose, and throat surgery because of its ability to constrict the blood vessels and limit bleeding.”(Office of National Drug Control Policy 1) But considering the advances of technology and medicine we are now able to use more developed drugs. Cocaine is a very potent stimulant that can be smoked, injected...
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...being studied with new ones occurring today in the modern world. Along with these diseases it is important to study and understand what causes them, what signs to look for, what species to look for them in, how to treat them, and how to prevent them from happening, IF you can even prevent them. Some diseases and conditions have vaccines to help with prevention and some do not, while some diseases are zoonotic meaning that they can be transmitted from animal to human. While there are hundreds upon hundreds of diseases to be looked at, the ten researched below are the ones once prevalent among the veterinary technicians job in the clinic; Hip Dysplasia and Ethylene Glycol poisoning in dogs, Hyperthyroidism and Rabies in cats, Strangles and Equine Recurrent Uveitits in Horses, Cryptosporidium and Fasciola Hepatica in Ruminants and Swine, Idiopathic Epilepsy in Aviaries, and Lymphoma in Ferrets. Hip Dysplasia in dogs is a congenial condition caused by a femur that does not fit correctly into the pelvic socket, or poorly developed muscles in the pelvic area. The causes of hip dysplasia are considered heritable, but new research conclusively suggests that environment also plays a role. Although to what degree is caused by genetics versus what portion is caused by environmental factors are a topic of debate....
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...Resource Links Wounded Warrior Resource Center The Wounded Warrior Resource Center Web site (WWRC) is a Department of Defense Web site which provides wounded Service Members, their families, and caregivers with information they need on military facilities, health care services, and benefits. It supports access to the Wounded Warrior Resource Call Center and trained specialists who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone at 1-800-342-9647 or by e-mail at wwrc@militaryonesource.com. Advocacy/Support - Disabled American Veterans* www.dav.org The DAV’s 1.2 million members provide grassroots advocacy and services in communities nationwide. From educating lawmakers and the public about important issues to supporting services and legislation to help disabled veterans — the DAV is there to promote its message of hope to all who have served and sacrificed. Advocacy/Support - National Veterans Foundation* www.nvf.org Our Mission: to serve the crisis management, information and referral needs of all U.S. Veterans and their families through: * Management and operation of the nation’s only toll-free helpline for all veterans and their families. * Public awareness programs that shine a consistent spotlight on the needs of America’s veterans. * Outreach services that provide veterans and families in need with food, clothing, transportation, employment, and other essential resources. Advocacy/Support - Salute Inc.* www.saluteinc.org SALUTE, Inc. is a...
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...ANIMAL PROCEDURES COMMITTEE REVIEW OF COST-BENEFIT ASSESSMENT IN THE USE OF ANIMALS IN RESEARCH JUNE 2003 REPORT OF THE COST-BENEFIT WORKING GROUP OF THE ANIMAL PROCEDURES COMMITTEE PREFACE Letter to the Minister from Michael Banner, Chair of the Animal Procedures Committee 17 June 2003 Dear Ms Flint ANIMAL PROCEDURES COMMITTEE: RECOMMENDATIONS ON COST-BENEFIT ASSESSMENT UNDER THE ANIMALS (SCIENTIFIC PROCEDURES) ACT 1986 On behalf of the Animal Procedures Committee I enclose the Committee’s report on cost-benefit assessment. In it we address the adequacy of the current cost-benefit assessment performed in the course of evaluating project licence applications. We have sought to look at the many issues which arise in relation to this important element of the regulation of the use of animals, but would draw attention to three particular aspects of our work. In the first place we have addressed the fundamental question as to scientific validity of the use of animals. We believe that our considerations and conclusions offer an important clarification of the debate and fulfil the request made by your predecessor, Mike O’Brien, to provide advice on this issue. Secondly, while we conclude that some uses of animals may yield scientific knowledge, we argue that this does not settle the question of justification. We go on to elucidate the full range of factors which must be considered for there to be a rigorous application of the cost-benefit assessment. Thirdly, we also consider how...
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