THE HEALING POWER OF HORSES

Ground-breaking pilot research study finds equine-assisted therapy has profound effect on emergency workers

The PTSD Association of Canada’s release of the study on the benefits of equine-assisted therapy, was released May 19, 2022. As an adjunct therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, the study has shown remarkable results for first responders dealing with the devastating effects of PTSD.

Quote from Dr. Charles Nelson, Principal Investigator of pilot research study.

“In my career-spanning work with psychological trauma amongst First-Responders, I have always been curious as to why some individuals respond well to conventional therapy and recovery, while others do not. Adjunctive equine therapy shows promising support in shoring the gap in recovery for those First-Responders who do not recover using psychological and/or pharmacological treatment alone. This important pilot study promotes understanding as to the therapeutic value of equine therapy, and its outcomes support the usage of equine therapy among First-responders with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.”

PTSD is an increasingly urgent topic of concern around the world, affecting a wide range of people including police, firefighters, paramedics, rescue workers, military personnel, journalists, healthcare workers and the public at large, alarmingly amplified by the COVID epidemic. First responders have always been on the front lines of emergencies, but the last few years have increasingly demonstrated just how critical they are to our health and safety. First responders answer the call when others are running away. They are thrown into tragedy, violence, disasters, heartache and trauma every day.

As one participant shared: “Connecting to the horses, they seem to be able to look directly into your soul, they see and feel your pain and emotions.”