Equine Assisted Therapy Photos

[funlvnman]

I mentioned this in my Trip To Ireland post and it seemed interesting to some of the gang so I am posting some of my photos from the EAT sessions I was asked to document. My role at the sessions was to take pictures that the participants would want to have as mementos of their experience. It was not to document the purpose of EAT. So, most of the pics fall into the snapshot category. However, the feedback from the groups has been very positive so I am quite pleased.

Here in Tucson, there is an orgization called Sunstone that offers hospice type care/consulting for cancer patients and their care givers. My wife's bosses are quite involved the health care world and offer up their services to Sunstone free of charge. I am quite happy to volunteer my photographic talents in the hopes that someone will benefit from them. Sort of a pay it forward mentality.

The purpose of EAT in regards to cancer or cancer care providers is to transition the patients from "Cancer Victims" to "People with Cancer", it's a very profound difference in mental image. It often turns the participants from someone waiting to die, to a person bound and determined to live life to the fullest no matter how much time they have left.

The pics are not in any order or theme, sort of a steam of consciousness mode. I hope you enjoy them.

The hosts, Allan and Jane Hamilton. two of the nicest, most caring people on the face of the planet. Check them out at www.ranchobosque.com.


One the equine participants getting a nice back scratch.



"Round Pen" activity. I don't know what's going all the time so some of the pics are just because I like them.




I bonded with this woman during the session. I wish I had a way of finding out how she's doing but I'm not allowed to contact anyone. They have to contact me and I didn't have any business cards at the time.


Here in the American Southwest, dust is a huge problem. Apparently this is one way of dealing with equine boogers.


This gentleman was quite ill at the time. His horse seemed to sense it and would quite often interact with him in a way that suggested he "knew" what was going on. I swear the horse was telling him that everything would be alright. Kinda metaphysical I know, but you never know.



Not two minutes priot to this picture, the man looked like he was on his last breath. Something happened between him and the horse. The man went from hanging his head to "Life Is Good" in just a few seconds. It was a joy to observe. I don't know the status of the man today.

[funlvnman]

Romeo strutting for the audience. He's a Lipizzaner stallion. I don't know his registerd name. He goes by Romeo, his female companion at the ranch is ??? Of course, Juliet.

Romeo in the round pen showing off

My personal favorite. This photo is being used to advertise the EAT program. It goes on all the CD's, books, etc. So I guess I am a published photographer! I can check off one of the items on 101 Things To Do Before I Die


Mahto, Navajo for Bear. He's my favorite.

Even horses love a good scratch


I'm not sure what he was tellings us, but it was funny looking.

[Big Paul]

Wonderful post! Animals have great comforting powers..

[funlvnman]

The drill is called Appendeges. One person is the brain, the other two are arms. In a Simon Says mode, the arms can only do what the brain tells them to do. A major component of family therapy.


Bonding with the horses during grooming.


This woman had an emotional connectinon with the horse that was palpable from several feet away. I almost felt guilty taking the picture



More emotional bonding.


Round Pen Actviity


Not sure what's going on, just like the photo.


This woman was in her 80's and had the most energentic personality. I just adored her.


One of the ranch hands bonding


One of the participants bonding

[wyldathart]

Those are amazing photo's. Having grew up on a cattle ranch, I know first had how therapeutic being around horses can be.

[Jock Scot]

Oh wow! I must show my wife these pictures when she returns, she has recently been talking about just this subject.We try to go and see Monty Roberts the "Horse Whisperer" whenever he is in this country.

[Phil]

I know people here find taking dogs into hospitals etc. is very therapeutic for patients, and I wonder if this is much the same sort of thing.

[piperdbh]

Yes, Phil, horses have the same kinds of effects on people as dogs have.

My wife works with equine-assisted psychotherapy, which uses horses to help kids and teens who have mental, behavioral, emotional and social problems, and/or who have been abused in various ways, break through some of those problems and become better adapted at dealing with themselves and others. Often a kid (or adult, for that matter) cannot or will not talk to a therapist, but they "come alive" when dealing with a horse, and sometimes will even tell the horse what's bothering them. They find that working with a horse is comforting, and the horse will "listen" to whatever they tell it.
There is a residential treatment center for mentally- and physically-handicapped people near where we live, and it has a horse therapy program, as well. Some of their residents who can't walk find that they can ride a horse, and a couple of the residents, for the first time in their lives, have been able to walk after several sessions of horseback riding. It stimulates the muscles in the legs somehow. It's pretty interesting work, and amazing to see the big smiles on their faces as they gain confidence from rding and grooming the horses.

[funlvnman]

Oh wow! I must show my wife these pictures when she returns, she has recently been talking about just this subject.We try to go and see Monty Roberts the "Horse Whisperer" whenever he is in this country.

Allan was trained by Monty Roberts.

[Sionnach]

What a great service. Thanks for sharing it.