While many groups offer equine-assisted therapy (EAT) and claim positive results, the reality is that EAT is not well studied and its efficacy for PTSD, or any other condition, has not been clinically established.
The primary aim of the Man O’ War Project at Columbia University Irving Medical Center is to provide evidence based research on the efficacy of Equine-Assisted Therapy for veterans with PTSD. To this end, the team has created and will publish a standardized 100-page treatment manual. Unlike other programs, the Man O’ War project provides this experiential treatment within a structure and a comprehensive assessment to track progress.
In addition, to incorporate the highest levels of scientific rigor, the Man O’ War project research team utilizes state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to further validate and strengthen the clinical data of the research.
OUR TREATMENT STUDY IS CONDUCTED AT THE BERGEN EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN LEONIA, NJ.
The study is comprised of:
OUR TREATMENT STUDY IS CONDUCTED AT THE BERGEN EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN LEONIA, NJ.
The study is comprised of:
Each group begins with an “opening circle” in which the day’s activities are outlined, and ends with a “closing circle” in which the day’s session is discussed. In between the opening and closing circles, the group works together to complete activities with the horses under the guidance of the equine specialist.
Each group begins with an “opening circle” in which the day’s activities are outlined, and ends with a “closing circle” in which the day’s session is discussed. In between the opening and closing circles, the group works together to complete activities with the horses under the guidance of the equine specialist.
The veterans learn how their actions, intentions, expectations and tone have an impact on their relationship with the horses (and ultimately with the people in their lives). Each session builds on the last, and incorporates what the veterans learned the week before.
THE TASKS ARE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPANTS TO PROBLEM-SOLVE, TAKE RISKS, USE THEIR OWN STRENGTHS AND CREATIVITY, AND FIND THE SOLUTIONS THAT WILL WORK BEST FOR THEM.
The veterans learn how their actions, intentions, expectations and tone have an impact on their relationship with the horses (and ultimately with the people in their lives). Each session builds on the last, and incorporates what the veterans learned the week before.
THE TASKS ARE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPANTS TO PROBLEM-SOLVE, TAKE RISKS, USE THEIR OWN STRENGTHS AND CREATIVITY, AND FIND THE SOLUTIONS THAT WILL WORK BEST FOR THEM.
Over the course of treatment, the equine specialist and the mental health professional assist veterans in drawing connections between what the horses may be doing, thinking, or feeling, and their own symptom. Through this process, the veterans increase emotional awareness and the ability to regulate emotions, and learning to more effectively interact with the horses, and by extension, with people in their lives.
Veterans receive follow-up evaluations three months after the treatment to see the long-term effect of EAT for PTSD.
Over the course of treatment, the equine specialist and the mental health professional assist veterans in drawing connections between what the horses may be doing, thinking, or feeling, and their own symptom. Through this process, the veterans increase emotional awareness and the ability to regulate emotions, and learning to more effectively interact with the horses, and by extension, with people in their lives.
Veterans receive follow-up evaluations three months after the treatment to see the long-term effect of EAT for PTSD.