HHRF 2024 Conference in San Diego, CA - February 24 &25

To book a room click on the below link: (Please note: the cut off date for discounted rooms has expired, but you can still use this link to see available rooms in this hotel).

https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.05326.html?groupId=6U0ZN5D0

Some of the speakers and topics for the weekend include:

Has Colonialism Impacted Our Horse Relationship?

This talk will explore the social/cultural narratives and effects on the horse/human relationship within the United States. Particularly how colonization and land changes affected horse/human relationships among people. Kelsey shares some tools for engaging the human-side of the horse/human relationship using social science methods.

Kelsey Dayle John (Diné) is an assistant professor at the University of Arizona with a joint appointment in Gender and Women’s Studies and American Indian Studies. She also works with the human animal interaction research group at the College of Veterinary Medicine. She studies horse/human relationships with a focus on the social, cultural, and historical narratives of horse/human relations. She completed her Ph.D. in Cultural Foundations of Education at Syracuse University. Kelsey is certified in Equine Facilitated Learning through the HERD institute. She is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and in her spare time, she runs with her dogs and hangs with her horses.

Equines and Elders: A Creative and Information Inspired Approach to Increasing Quality of Life of Skilled Nursing Home Residents through Off-site Visits to Equine-Assisted Learning Facilities.

Barbara and Kate will discuss the significance of equine-assisted programs for geriatric populations, including the positive impact on residents' quality of life. The discussion will highlight the specific needs of geriatric communities when designing such programs and explore available government funding through CMS to improve skilled nursing homes. The ongoing mixed-methods study, focusing on the Equine and Elders program, employs exploratory content analysis and Likert scale surveys to examine residents' subjective experiences, emphasizing the potential long- and short-term benefits for this demographic.

Barbara Bolin, MSSW, LSCW, brings over 40 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker specializing in geriatrics, having worked across various settings.

Kate Hall, MPA, PhD, is a professor and small business owner with a background in climate change policy and research on subtle sexism's impact on women in STEM fields.

Children’s perceptions of animals in animal assisted interventions: a thematic synthesis

Peterson will present her research exploring children's experiences in equine-assisted interventions, pooling qualitative studies to develop a conceptual model identifying mechanisms influencing child-animal relationships in therapy. Participants will gain awareness of children's unique perspectives on animal interactions, understand the potential of qualitative reviews, and recognize the importance of actively involving children in research on interventions.

Laura Peterson, LICSW, directs a children’s equine-facilitated psychotherapy program, specializing in equine-assisted play therapy. As a social work Ph.D. student at Simmons University, her research focuses on children's therapeutic alliance experiences in equine-facilitated psychotherapy.

Let’s Do Creative Arts: Expanding EFL/EFP Programs with Experiential Learning

Interested in incorporating other forms of experiential learning into your EAS program? Terry Chase will present on this topic in San Diego and include research on the benefits of incorporating these modalities!

In this interactive session, Dr. Terry Chase will explore the transformative potential of creative arts and experiential activities in equine-facilitated learning and personal growth. Participants will identify the essential role of these practices, integrate concepts into their programs, and engage in hands-on experimentation with at least three inclusive activities for individuals of all abilities.

Dr. Terry Chase, a dedicated healthcare professional since 1990 with expertise in nursing, exercise science, and spiritual psychology, holds advanced degrees from the University of Denver, the University of Colorado, and the University of Santa Monica. Recently retired as an Associate Professor at Colorado Mesa University, Dr. Chase, who has lived with a spinal cord injury for 35 years, is a speaker, author, and coach actively engaged in outdoor activities like kayaking, skiing, hand-cycling, and horse riding.

The current state of the science of EAS for veterans: Challenges and opportunities to move the field forward

The field of EAS for veterans is still in the early stages of scientific development. However, existing evidence suggests that EAS participation may result in symptom improvement for those with psychiatric illness as well as a variety of trans-diagnostic benefits. There are both challenges to overcome and opportunities to develop, which could move the field forward. Challenges include limited research funding options, inconsistent terminology, and highly variable interventions. Opportunities include the VA Equine Adaptive Sports Grant Program, the high level of interest of equine facilities in providing these services, opportunities to collaborate with VA investigators, as well as the development of both multi-site research collaborations, and manualized interventions that support rigorous studies and ultimately dissemination to the field. The first aim of this presentation is to review the current state of knowledge regarding the science of EAS for veterans. The second aim is to discuss challenges in the field based upon published research. The third aim is to discuss the opportunities to move the field forward.

Dr. William Marchand, a board-certified psychiatrist and Director of Research and Equine-assisted Services at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, is a leading researcher in equine-assisted services' outcomes and mechanisms of action. He is certified through Eagala, CHA, and PATH Intl.

Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) for tetraparesis: a holistic approach to physical recovery, emotional well-being, and social reintegration - a case study

Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) is gaining attention for its potential in treating various physical and psychological conditions, particularly in improving neuromuscular function for individuals with tetraparesis. Despite evident benefits, skepticism among health professionals persists due to the lack of formal regulation and the recreational nature of these activities in Romania. This case study highlights the efficiency of EAT in addressing physical recovery, emotional well-being, and social reintegration for a tetraparesis patient over a four-year period, emphasizing its holistic approach to rehabilitation.

Dan Manolachescu, a veterinary medicine graduate and professional horse rider, overcame complete paralysis after a riding accident, pursued a master's degree in Ethology and Human-Animal Interaction, and is currently researching human-horse emotional contagion in a PhD program. His rehabilitation through Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) was showcased in the RESETED documentary.

An Ongoing Initiative Focused on Using Standardized Assessments to Measure Quality-of-Life Outcomes of Adaptive/Therapeutic Riding

In 2021, the Temple Grandin Equine Center and PATH, Intl collaborated to establish a standardized assessment protocol for measuring participant outcomes in community-based adaptive/therapeutic riding. A survey revealed that while many instructors and centers use non-standardized assessments for horsemanship outcomes, there is a keen interest in measuring the broader impact on participants' quality of life. Results of a pilot study that assessed the feasibility of implementing standardized assessments at three PATH, Intl centers.

Caiti Peters is the Director of Research for the Temple Grandin Equine Center at Colorado State University, whose mission is to advance education and research in equine-assisted services. She holds an MS in Occupational Therapy and a PhD in Occupational and Rehabilitation Science.

Kathy Alm, CEO of PATH Intl., brings over two decades of experience in equine-assisted services, emphasizing organizational sustainability and fundraising in her workshops and presentations.

Between Magic and the Mirror: the danger of deification or objectification when working with horses in Equine Assisted Servces

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is growing in both prevalence and popularity and the efficacy of partnering humans with horses as part of their healing work is increasingly supported by research being done in the field. Among the many challenges facing this field is a lack of agreement about how horses actually support the healing work of their human clients and what role they play, or should play, in the transformative changes that occur. In order to protect both the humans and horses involved in EAP sessions, a clear understanding of the principles governing the psychology and physiology of each species and how these affect relational interactions is essential. While horses are amazing creatures with many wonderful qualities that make them natural partners in healing work, when their presence in session is described as "magical" we detract from the proven scientific evidence continually emerging from ongoing research in the field and make it more difficult to attract funding sources for further research as well insurance reimbursement for practitioners -- insurance companies reimburse for evidence based practices rather than magic! Similarly, labeling horses as mirrors reduces them to a one dimensional object rather than the living, breathing sentient being they truly are; animals that respond to, rather than reflect the humans they interact with.

Kathleen Choe is a Licensed Professional Counselor/Supervisor with a private practice in Austin, Texas. She is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy through the EMDR International Association and in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy through the Natural Lifemanship Institute and enjoys combining these powerful specialties to serve people recovering from trauma, catastrophic loss, and toxic stress.

An Equine-Assisted Co-Treatment Model for Traumatized and At-Risk Youth

Join us for a session that unveils the unique value of integrating equine partners into trauma recovery, emphasizing their crucial role in fostering well-being. Explore the nuanced interactions between equines, trauma-informed clinicians, and clients, and learn how this emerging model builds new neural pathways for self-regulation, reducing trauma activation. Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the cutting-edge approach shaping the future of therapeutic care.

Molly DePrekel, MA, LP, conducts co-treatment sessions at Cairns Psychological Services and Hold Your Horses, integrating equines, OT, and Mental Health Services for sexually exploited youth and trauma survivors. Sheryl Butler, MA, OTD, OTR/L, specializes in equine-assisted co-treatment at Hold Your Horses, focusing on the mind-body connection for traumatized individuals.

A Pilot Study Exploring Behavioral and Physiological Indicators of Stress in Horses During and Equine -Assisted Learning Program for Youth with a History of Trauma:A closer look at the potential impacts of participants’ emotions on the stress of EAS horses

Dr. Caiti Peters and Dr. Sarah Matlock will take us on a deep dive into their pilot study exploring behavioral and physiological indicators of stress in horses during an equine-assisted learning program for youth with trauma history. Gain valuable insights into potential stressors for Equine-assisted Services (EAS) horses, learn about the EAS Social License to Operate, and discover how understanding behavioral indicators can prevent unwanted behaviors. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the rigorous pilot study results and future research needs, contributing to our understanding of the impact of human-animal interaction on horse well-being in EAL programs.

Sarah Matlock, Ph.D., faculty in the Equine Sciences program at Colorado State University, holds expertise in equine behavior and welfare, emphasizing learning theory and motivation in horses. Co-presenter Caiti Peters, Ph.D., Director of Research at the Temple Grandin Equine Center is an occupational therapist focusing on evaluating the efficacy of occupational therapy in equine environments for autistic youth.

Resilience Equine Assisted Learning: REAL Intervention Feasibility and Fidelity

The presentation aims to convey an understanding of the Resilience Equine Assisted Learning (REAL) Intervention, emphasizing the importance of intervention fidelity and feasibility. Participants will learn to describe the REAL Intervention, define intervention fidelity, and evaluate its feasibility, with insights into standardized measures and a manual designed for adaptable implementation. Feasibility studies highlight the need for integrating REAL into nursing curricula and the role of mental health clinical faculty in enhancing the program's practicality.

Dr. Shannon Burleson holds a Ph.D. in nursing and is a dedicated educator specializing in equine-assisted learning to reduce nursing student burnout.

Behavioral and physiological responses of horses to adaptive horsemanship lessons with veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder

Explore the fascinating interplay between horses and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adaptive horsemanship lessons with Dr. Ellen M. Rankins. Gain valuable insight into the behavioral and cortisol responses of horses, unveiling the potential benefits of adaptive horsemanship in enhancing horse well-being within equine-assisted services.

Dr. Rankins, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Temple Grandin Equine Center, brings over eleven years of expertise in therapeutic horsemanship and a Ph.D. in Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences, specializing in the responses of horses and veterans to adaptive horsemanship lessons.

Horse-Human Embodied Communication: Using Thematic Analysis to gain a unique perspective from Equine Assisted Therapy Practitioners

This qualitative study applied a phenomenological lens to investigate the perception of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) practitioners on the horse-human embodied communication within equine-assisted therapy settings. Eleven equine-assisted therapy practitioners were interviewed using open-ended and semi-structured questions. Thematic analysis identified three central themes from the interviews and revealed experiential storylines for horse-human embodied communication. The three themes were: 1. Horse Nature & Physiology, 2. Mind-body Unity, 3. Perceived Communication & Human Nature. Horse Nature & Physiology demonstrated that it is the prey and herd nature of horses that make them highly attuned to their social environment and provides us humans with an opportunity for intuitive, authentic communication. The prevalent theme, Mind-body Unity, explains that communication occurs most efficiently when emotional and physical intention are aligned. Perceived Communication and Human Nature proved emotional states of humans play a part in the interaction in the context of EAT. These three themes offer important explanations for horse-human communication and carve a communication pathway described by the researcher (myself), as a Dynamic Sphere of Communication or “an interactive space of authentic communication connecting bodies and minds through non-verbal, intuitive learning”. This research may offer insights extending far beyond the realm of horses and humans and intuitively lead future researchers to scrutinize interspecies interactions, with potential to narrow the gap between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom.

Alicia van den Abeele Alicia is a Belgian, London-based Zoologist from the University of Bristol with a Master of Research in Anthrozoology (specialised in horse-human communication) with Distinction from Hartpury University. Alicia works as a horse trainer and riding instructor and owns her nature-inspired fine art business as a painter and photographer. Her hands-on, academic, and artistic work sheds important light on the intricate horse-human relationship, on our intrinsic relationship with the natural world, and offers important insights to narrow the gap between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom.

Developing a Mental Health Program: Combining evidence-based practices with effective and straight-forward horsemanship to improve the lives of clients suffering from mental health disorders

The increasing interest in mental health treatment has led to a rise in non-conventional services, with Equine Assisted Psychotherapy gaining recognition for its effectiveness. The Shea Center team has developed a clinically based program that integrates evidence-based therapeutic interventions and horsemanship skills to empower clients, offering attendees interested in mental health services with equines the standards for creating a successful program.

Trish Evans is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant certified in Hippotherapy, and serves as the Program Services Manager at The Shea Center. She as extensive expertise in pediatrics, sports medicine, geriatrics, and administration, primarily focusing on hippotherapy during her 23-year tenure at Shea

Leeanna Rice, MSW, LCSW, ESMHL, CTRI, a licensed Clinical Social Worker with a master's from the University of Southern California and nine years of clinical experience, serves as the Mental Health Clinician and Coordinator at the Shea Center, where she initiated a successful mental health program in 2021, integrating her clinical expertise and horsemanship knowledge to enhance the well-being of clients, and co-facilitates the military Stars and Stripes riding program for veterans' reintegration.

Measuring up: A quick and easy, standardized assessment of functional abilities for children in physical, occupational, and speech therapy

The Shea Center team in San Juan Capistrano, CA, led a study evaluating hippotherapy's impact on children with disabilities, finding significant improvements in three out of four Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Index – Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT) domains, and demonstrating the PEDI-CAT's effectiveness in measuring activity and participation outcomes, offering practical applications for its use in everyday practice and promoting collaboration between practitioners and researchers.

Randi Shannahan, PT, DPT, HPCS, the therapy services manager and physical therapist at The Shea Center, specializes in hippotherapy for individuals with diverse diagnoses, bringing 8 years of clinical experience across various settings, and is actively involved in teaching and research at Azusa Pacific University and UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

Matt Mitchell, PT, DPT, HPCS, is a physical therapist at The Shea Center where he integrates hippotherapy into his treatment plans for patients of all ages and diagnoses. He holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California, achieved Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist certification in 2021, and actively contributes to research in the field of EAS.

Mental health therapies for people with trauma-related conditions that incorporate horses: A systematic review of the literature

In a systematic review of 39 studies on equine-facilitated mental health (EFMH) therapies for trauma-related conditions, conducted before June 2023, researchers explored the psychological benefits of professionally delivered EFMH for various populations, including youth, military veterans, and individuals with trauma histories or mental health diagnoses. The studies, sourced from major scientific databases, revealed diverse therapeutic techniques, session structures, and positive outcomes, such as reduced depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and PTSD symptoms, as well as strengthened therapeutic relationships. The presentation aims to summarize key findings, discuss their implications for EFMH practitioners and clients, and provide recommendations for future research to advance the field.

Elizabeth E. Lloyd-Richardson, Ph.D., a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, specializes in adolescent and young adult health risk behaviors, with extensive research contributions in health behavior change, wellness, resilience skills, and reducing self-harm and other risk behaviors; she is also certified in The Equus Effect program and actively delivers it in southeastern Massachusetts, combining her professional expertise with a personal passion for horses.

Alexandra Morena, MA, a doctoral student at UMass Lowell, focuses on self-injury prevention, healthcare implementation, and the impact of provider characteristics on best care practices, with overarching goals of improving mental healthcare accessibility and quality while working towards suicide prevention.

Sleep Measurement in Equine Assisted Services Research

Sleep is a biological necessity, like breathing, drinking and eating. Lack of sleep has both acute and long-term health consequences. Therefore, it is imperative that sleep measurements be included in our equine assisted services (EAS) research to show us direct and indirect benefits of EAS for sleep, and how these benefits can amplify other positive outcomes in sub-groups involved in EAS. In this presentation, we will learn how sleep, or lack of sleep, impacts human biology and how to add a sleep measure to your existing or new research studies at your center.

Dr. Amanda Lamp has partnered with horses for over 35 years. She has been a working student under three Olympic-level riders on three continents and have trained horses and riders in many parts of the world. During her travels, she was invited to volunteer at Healing Reins Equine Assisted Services (Bend, OR) and instantly knew she wanted to facilitate the healing of humans through equines and educate humans about compassionate care for equines. In school, she received her BS in Neuroscience and MS and PhD in Prevention Science. Working as an Assistant Professor in the Elson S Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University, her research expertise is in sleep and cognitive performance. To connect her horse knowledge with her research experience, to better serve equines and humans, she received her CTRI (PATH, International) in February 2022 through Free Rein Therapeutic Riding Center (Spokane, WA).

Occupational Therapy Integrating Horses to Promote Self-regulation in Autistic Youth: An Ongoing Randomized Controlled Trial

The presentation will provide an overview of an ongoing randomized controlled trial of occupational therapy integrating horses for autistic youth. One in 54 children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the U.S. Poor self-regulation is inherent in ASD, but growing evidence suggests interacting with animals can promote self-regulation. Very little is known about the efficacy of integrating horses into occupational therapy for autistic youth. Existing research is scarce and lacks standardized intervention protocols and active comparison groups. Outcome measures vary widely across studies and rely heavily on un-masked parent or therapist report. Our long-term goal is to establish integrating horses into occupational therapy as an evidence-based practice to improve self-regulation in youth with ASD. Our team has created a standardized intervention manual called “Occupational Therapy in an Equine Environment: Harnessing Occupation for self-Regulation Skills” (OTEE HORS). OTEE HORS operationalizes the purposeful integration of horses into an occupational therapy intervention to optimize the development of self-regulation skills. We also manualized a clinical treatment protocol, Occupational Therapy in a Clinic (OT Clinic), to serve as a control condition for all non-animal elements of the intervention. Both OTEE HORS and OT Clinic are delivered by an occupational therapist for an hour once a week for 10 weeks. The goal of this project is to quantify the unique benefits of integrating horses in occupational therapy compared to occupational therapy in a clinic (i.e., OTEE HORS vs. OT Clinic) for improving self-regulation in autistic youth. To address both aims we will randomize 64 autistic youth ages 6-11 years old to OTEE HORS or OT clinic. Aim 1: Examine the preliminary efficacy of OTEE HORS compared to OT Clinic on self-regulation. Aim 2: Identify potential physiological mechanisms, particularly salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase, that explain how integration of horses in occupational therapy impacts self-regulation in autistic youth.

Caiti Peters is the Director of Research for the Temple Grandin Equine Center at Colorado State University, who’s mission is to advance education and research in equine-assisted services. She holds an MS in Occupational Therapy and PhD in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science. Caiti is an occupational therapist with training from the American Hippotherapy Association and over a decade of experience researching equine-assisted services. Her primary program of research focuses on evaluating the efficacy of occupational therapy in an equine environment for autistic youth. Non-presenting co- authors: Arlene Schmid, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Colorado State University, Co-investigator Robin Gabriels, PhD, University of Colorado Denver, Co-investigator Susan Hepburn, PhD, Colorado State University, Co- investigator Stephen Aichele, PhD, Colorado State University, Co-investigator Ellen Rankins, PhD, Colorado State University, Study Coordinator Sarah Reega, MS, Colorado State University, Graduate Research Assistant

Use the 5 Domains to better our horses’ lives, answer questions, and deepen our equine relationships.

• How to assess the quality of life – including their job, environment, soundness, retirement, end of life considerations.
• Identify subtle signs, movements, and behaviors that indicate a lack of well-being. How to read the difference between pleasure and comfort, confusion, frustration, fear, and pain and how to manage them.
• Identify burn-out – (I won't do this for you anymore ) and shut down (I'm checking out mentally while I do this for you)
• Explain the Equine facial coding system.
• Put knowledge and research into best practices.

Presenters from HHRF Equine Well Being Committee:

Jo Anne Miller is the Executive Director of Brook Hill Farm, a fully accredited horse rescue by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, as well as a PATH International Premier Therapeutic riding center, working with rescue horses in all of the programs. She is an adjunct Professor of Equine Science at Randolph College. She has been the co-chair of the PATH Equine Welfare Committee, and currently chairs the Equus Foundation's Equine Welfare Committee, and serves on the HETI Equine Welfare Group.

Cathy Languerand -As a lifelong Horsewoman, learning to train, teach, share and listen to the horses has been my life's mission. I have been an active member of the United States Pony Club, United States Eventing Association, Masters of Fox Hunting Association, Certified Horsemanship Association Master Instructor, Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Intl. Riding and Driving, a Reach Out to Horses Instructor with Anna Twinney, Bio Energetic Techniques with Dr. Regan Golob, and Irwin Insight Instructor Mounted, In-hand, and Driving with Chris Irwin.

Thank you to our sponsor Turbeville Insurance Agency !