A Powerful Approach or the Power of Horses: Is Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy an Effective Technique or the Natural Effect of Horses? By Jessica S. Iwachiw, M.A., C.A.S. A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Alfred University Division of Counseling and School Psychology In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology Alfred, NY 2017 A POWERFUL APPROACH OR THE POWER OF HORSES? A POWERFUL APPROACH OR THE POWER OF HORSES: IS EQUINE-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY AN EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE OR THE NATURAL EFFECT OF HORSES? BY JESSICA S. IWACHIW STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT GENESEO. B.A. (2008) ALFRED UNIVERSITY, M.A. (2011) APPROVED BY: LYNN O’CONNELL Committee Chairperson CRIS LAUBACK Committee Member JANA ATLAS Committee Member MICHELLE EDICK Committee Member ACCEPTED BY MARK FUGATE Chairperson, Division of School Psychology ACCEPTED BY NANCY EVANGELISTA Associate Provost and Director of Graduate Studies ACCEPTED BY RICHARD STEPHENS Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs ii A POWERFUL APPROACH OR THE POWER OF HORSES? © Copyright 2017 Jessica Iwachiw iii A POWERFUL APPROACH OR THE POWER OF HORSES? Acknowledgments I could never have possibly taken on a project of this magnitude without the support, guidance, help, and never-ending encouragement of many incredible people throughout this journey. I would like to thank Dr. Lynn O’Connell for her feedback and guidance throughout this process, and for her expertise in working as our EAP clinician throughout the study. I remember when I was looking at graduate schools and I saw that Alfred University’s Dr. O’Connell had a research interest in equine assisted psychotherapy. I had applied and accepted with the thought of doing my dissertation on EAP buried deeply in my heart, and when Dr. O’Connell told me that it was a project that we could make a reality, it was literally a dream come true. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for having facilitated this incredible opportunity. Thank you to each member of my committee: Dr. Jana Atlas, whose incredible attention to detail and strong conceptual thinking added much-needed structure and clarity to the project; Dr. Cris Lauback, whose practicality and experience ensured that all aspects were considered with an eye toward feasibility; and Dr. Michelle Edick, whose combination of equine knowledge, school psychology expertise, and hands-on know how added incredibly valuable ideas to our implementation plans. Although not on my committee, I would also like to give a huge thank you to Dr. Arthur Greil. His statistical consultation was crucial and, as always, brilliant. Further, I would like to thank Dean Evangelista for her support throughout this project. A huge thank you needs to be given to Steve and Peggy Shank from Alfred University’s equestrian center for partnering with us in order to make this project a reality. Additionally, thank you to Megan Coats and Somer Rollins for their help in running the horsemanship program and equine experience day camp. And of course, thank you to our equine partners throughout the project, including Sugar, Dixie, R Star, Merlot, Paulie, and Wyatt. You are each iv A POWERFUL APPROACH OR THE POWER OF HORSES? full of incredible grace and wisdom, and we are lucky to have gotten to learn from each of you. Thanks are also due to the local school professionals who referred students to the study. I would like to thank Alfred University for the use of the equestrian facility and school- owned horses for this project, and the Lea R. Powell Institute for Children and Families for its financial support through the Lea R. Powell Dissertation Research Grant. Further, I would like to thank Kathy Woughter for taking an interest in our project and allowing us to share news of our study with the Alfred University community. Additionally, the support and help that I have received from my friends and family have been invaluable and indispensable over the past several years while I inched forward in this process. Thank you to my mother, Irene Wiener, for her undying support and patience throughout this endeavor. Thank you to Elissa Pranckitas, best friend, transport, upstate New York host, and someone who has been on the journey with me the whole time. Thank you to my friends, family, and cohort members who provided much-needed social support, norming of expectations, and solidarity in the struggle. Finally, thank you to the friends and family who donated in order to help fund some of my expenses: Carol and Bob Gordon, Irene Wiener, Lewis Wiener and Marti Block-Wiener, Michele Worth, Helen Polcek, and Joan Cavanaugh. v A POWERFUL APPROACH OR THE POWER OF HORSES? TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1 Background ..................................................................................................................................... 2 Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) Research ........................................................................... 4 Popular Claims Outpace Research Evidence .................................................................................. 6 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................... 10 The History of the Relationship between Humans and Animals .................................................. 10 Companion Animals .........................................................................................................12 Benefits Derived from Traditional Companion Animals .................................................. 13 Social Support and Relationships ......................................................................... 14 Physiological and Psychological Well-Being ....................................................... 14 Engagement ........................................................................................................... 15 Research Limitations ............................................................................................ 16 Applying Animal Relationships to Wellness Outcomes ............................................................... 17 Animal-Assisted Approaches, Activities, and Therapies for Human Wellness ............... 17 Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) ....................................................................... 17 Animal-Assisted Therapies (AAT) ....................................................................... 18 Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy (AAP) ............................................................... 20 Human Connections to Horses ...................................................................................................... 21 Characteristics of Horses Compared to Traditional Companion Animals .........................21 The Unique Characteristics of Horses ...............................................................................23 The Paradox of Vulnerability and Intimidation .................................................... 25 vi A POWERFUL APPROACH OR THE POWER OF HORSES? Social Hierarchy .................................................................................................... 27 Nonverbal Communication Skills ......................................................................... 27 Equine Responsiveness to Humans ...................................................................... 29 Harnessing Horsepower ................................................................................................................ 32 Animal-Assisted Activities and Interventions with Horses .............................................. 33 Equine-Assisted Psychotherapies ..................................................................................... 35 PATH Intl.............................................................................................................. 36 EAGALA .............................................................................................................. 37 Proposed Change Mechanisms and Benefits of EAP ........................................... 41 Theoretical Alignment ....................................................................................... 42 Experiential Nature ............................................................................................ 42 Metaphors for Change ........................................................................................ 44 Insight and Authenticity ..................................................................................... 44 Natural Setting ................................................................................................... 46 Using Horses to Improve Mental Health with Youth ......................................................... 47 Research Using PATH Intl. Models ..................................................................... 47 Research Using the EAGALA Model ................................................................... 50 Global Functioning ................................................................................... 51 Comparative Studies ................................................................................. 51 Youth with Intensive Mental Health Needs .............................................. 53 Limitations in the EAP Research .........................................................................