Equine Assisted Therapy, Minor

A minor in equine assisted therapy allows students to explore a growing field in which mental health professionals utilize horses in a therapy setting. Equine assisted therapies differ from therapeutic riding in that the therapy setting is conducted on the ground rather than in the saddle, and the horse is part of a three-pronged therapy team (mental health specialist, equine specialist, and the horse). The EAT minor takes an interdisciplinary approach to therapy giving students additional tools and experiences to carry into their professional roles upon graduation. The minor combines well with biology and psychology for students interested in veterinary studies or further study in equine assisted therapy or with business for students who wish to pursue equine-related business opportunities.

With the completion of this minor, a student will be able to:

1. Understand the basic care of horses and the management of their facilities.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of various types of psychological interventions.
3. Create client activities and intervention plans based on the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA)’s model of Equine Assisted Therapy (EAP).