In 2019, over 3 million children in the United States reported experiencing one or more disability. This is particularly significant as individuals with a disability are more likely to have lower health outcomes across almost all health indicators when compared to individuals without. Researchers, clinicians, and parents alike have worked to identify complementary and alternative therapies, like equine-assisted services (EAS), that could serve to close this gap. Global health minors are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in a health experience, engaging with global health through a hands-on experience. I chose to volunteer at Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship (CTRH), a non-profit in Milford, Ohio dedicated to utilizing EAS to improve the lives of individuals who experience disability. As a volunteer, I worked with children with disabilities in a variety of positions, experiencing EAS firsthand and observing specific mechanisms that conveyed a variety of psychosocial benefits. While there has been extensive research regarding the presence of benefits for specific chronic conditions, like cerebral palsy and post-traumatic stress disorder, more research is necessary to understand the specific mechanisms through which these benefits are conveyed and to build the credibility of EAS as an effective complementary and alternative therapy. Through my literature review, I discovered that lack of standard terminology, lack of large sample size studies and lack of rigorous empirical review were major barriers to building widespread credibility of EAS. Future research needs to focus on expanding the duration of a study, cost-effectiveness, and availability of services for individuals who could benefit the most. This experience has been eye opening and extremely impactful. I continue to volunteer at CTRH, regularly assisting in both their adaptive recreational riding and hippotherapy sessions.
Author: Rukmini (Ruku) Pal
Advisors: Vaishali Raval, Psychology | Paul Flaspohler, Psychology
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