HHRF 2023 Conference at Centenary University, Hackettstown, NJ on Saturday, July 22- July 23

Horses and Humans Research Foundation’s 2023 Conference

Let’s connect, learn and inspire each other about horses and humans research.

If you are interested and want to know more about the latest research in Equine-Assisted Services (EAS), this conference is for YOU!

When:
Saturday, July 22, 2023, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm and Sunday, July 23, 2023, 8:30 am - 11:30 am

Where:
Centenary University

The GPS address for the Lackland Center is 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. After turning onto the campus, the Lackland Center is the second building on the left. There will be plenty of parking available.

Event location: https://www.centenaryuniversityevents.com/locations

University Website: https://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/

Rates for the two day event:

$100 Adult and $50 student (includes lunch on Saturday, July 22, 2023)

Hotels within 25 miles are:

• Residence Inn Mount Olive at International Trade Center-10 min drive or Uber to University
• Days Inn by Wyndham, Budd Lake, NJ
• Residence Inn by Marriott in Mt. Olive, NJ
• Neighbor House Bed & Breakfast in Long Valley, NJ
• Courtyard by Marriott in Lebanon, NJ
• Hampton Inn, Clinton, NJ

Some of the exciting topics that will be covered during this two -day event will include:

JoAnne Miller to learn about the current research on a horse’s environment and how it affects both their physical and emotional well-being, and the effects their environment can have on your programs.

Marcie Wild will allow the audience to gain knowledge & understanding derived from evidence-based research & studies to confidently act as an advocate for the horse while remaining sensitive and respectful to clients.

Betsy Kemeny, PhD, CTRS Courtney Gramlich, CTRS Whitney Angelini, DPT, CTRI will be presenting on the results of a survey of practicing recreational therapists and their experiences with incorporating equines into their work settings. With the exception of two geographically limited masters thesis, a gap exists in the research to better understand the extent to which CTRS incorporate equine-assisted interventions in practice. This research is significant because information is needed on the quantity and extent of CTRS practice with equines and how that may interact with services for individuals who need mental health treatment, individuals with autism spectrum disorder, individuals with physical disabilities, veterans, and a growing population of older adults.

Noreen Esposito, Ed.D., PMHNP, FAANP, and Angela K. Fournier, PhD, will be presenting on EAST, or equine-assisted story transformation. This presentation, delivered in part in story format, is to introduce EAST, as a way to explain what happens for humans and horses during an equine-assisted learning, mental health, or psychotherapy intervention. EAST may be an applicable solution to some research problems in EAS, and the presenters are hoping to highlight this as well as the importance of unifying theory and common language in our field.

Kate Neligan, CEPL/BC, will be providing an overview of the concept of energy intelligence and why it is important for humans to be aware of this construct both in themselves and their horses. This presentation will provide specific tools for preventing burnout and assessing energy intelligence.

William (Bill) Marchand, MD, will be presenting on two studies that look at psychotherapy incorporating horses and its impact on healthcare worker wellbeing. The potential role of PIH in enhancing psychological flexibility and the impact on participant wellbeing will be discussed.

Elizabeth Lloyd-Richardson, PhD, LCP, Andrea Suk, PhD, Cheryl Meola, PhD, LCMHCS, Nancy Paschall, Caroline Murphy, and Octavia Brown, EdM, DHL, will co-present on a research study regarding a pilot workshop to develop research skills and foster collaboration in EAS. The perceived benefits and barriers to conducting research in the EAS will be discussed, as well as ways research empowers various stakeholders in EAS.

Kimberly I. Tumlin, PhD, MS, MPH will be presenting on the Equine Assisted Collaborative for Health (EACH), an organization intended to serve as a hub for collaboration and a beacon for gather information on best practices in EAS. The need for this hub will be discussed, and how it relates to different stakeholders in the field.

Nancy Paschall and Kimberly Tumlin, PhD, MS, MPH will be presenting - Collaborating to Improve Impact - How the TCOM (Transformation, Collaboration, Outcome, Management) framework is informing the research questions, design, service delivery, and programming at the HALTER EAS Center and how the collaboration between HALTER and UKy is informing and transforming EAS practices will be demonstrated.

Cathy Languerand will be presenting Health and Fitness for our equine partners - to be content and completely present, they must be free from pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, the very nature and temperament of our program horses lends them to be stoic and tolerant of more discomfort and pain than most horses can stand.

Cheryl Meola, PhD, LCMHCS,NCC will be presenting The impact of our words. This presentation looks at some timely issues in the industry and how open discussion and collaboration can help promote the sustainability of our field.

Molly Sweeney will present Equine Behavior : The importance of understanding what our equines’ behavior is communicating. All Horses are not people! They sense, feel, and respond differently than we do because their sensory systems and brain functions are different than ours. We can learn to understand and then act on what horses are telling us through what we call wanted and unwanted behavior. This leads to mutual respect and trust that then builds a strong bond resulting in a partnership of happy and healthy people and horses.

Join Jo Ann Miller and learn about the current research on a horse’s environment, how it effects both their physical and emotional well-being, and the effects this can have on our programs. Learn ethical and effective management and ways to adapt your current facility to be more of a horse friendly environment.

Marcie Wild will help the audience gain a deeper understanding of the unique digestive system of horses and learn how to make informed decisions about your feeding program. Learn about the importance of a well-developed topline, and how to evaluate and improve your horses’ body condition for optimal performance and soundness.

Cathy Languerand will present Mental state of equine well-being: recognizing discomfort in our program equines. All other states affect the mental state. Horses are capable of conscious thought AND are hardwired to move from rest and digest into fight and flight in the blink of an eye. Understanding how the horse's autonomic nervous system works is key to understanding the mental state of the horse. As we learn to recognize the subtle signs of fight, fight, freeze or rest and digest, we gain a greater understanding of our horse’s mental state. This allows us to see from the horse’s perspective.

Dr. C. Mike Tomlinson poses the question- A good night’s sleep is something we all know that we need, but does a horse need it too? After all, they stand up while sleeping so how much do they really need? Dr. Tomlinson will discuss a crucial aspect of equine well-being: their sleep requirements. As societal expectations and ethical considerations increasingly shape industries, it is crucial to address sleep deprivation as a potential welfare concern in horses. It is equally important to understand their sleep patterns and their significance on the of quality rest. In this presentation, we will explore the sleep needs of horses, factors influencing their sleep patterns, the implications of sleep deprivation on their overall health and performance, and ways to improve the probability of horses to get a fully restorative night’s sleep.

Mission: “Through sustained investment in rigorous research and educational initiatives, Horses and Humans Research Foundation serves as a catalyst to advance global knowledge of horse- human interactions and their impact on health and well-being of people, horses and other equines.” * such as Donkeys and Mules