Bigelow 1
Brennan Bigelow
Dr. Combs
English 2010
October 24, 2012
Article Review 1
Bizub, A. L., Joy, A., & Davidson, L. (2003). 'It’s like being in another world': Demonstrating the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with psychiatric disability. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 26(4), 377.
Recovering from psychiatric illness is different for everybody. With the growing popularity of medications and the cut in funding for other programs, we look to improve the rehabilitation process for those who struggle with these illnesses. Because people have a hard time understanding those who are going through psychiatric rehabilitation, animals have been employed to help those in need. Because animals view everyone as equals, they are particularly helpful in this process. Horses have been known for years to provide a soothing and peaceful feeling. These qualities that horses have, help people going through psychiatric illnesses feel self-confident and self-sufficient. That is why the study has focused on ten people that have had reoccurring psychiatric illnesses. The study was done to provide evidence that therapeutic riding really does have a positive effect on one’s mental health.
To test the hypothesis, scientists gathered a sample size of five people with reoccurring psychiatric illnesses. Of the five participants four were Caucasian and one was African American. The study used staff from both Fellowship Place, Inc. and High Hopes, Inc. Each participant met criteria set by the staff of both organizations. The criteria consisted of weight, mental health, physical health, and comfort with animals.To assure safety of both the participants and horses, the participants were informed of their risks and if they believe that they could complete the course they were admitted into the study. The participants were put through a ten-week rehabilitation program that used interaction with the horses, horseback riding, and creative writing exercises after the riding activity. Some examples of the creative writing exercises are the participants write a thank you letter to their respective horse and reading poetry about animals. The participants would engage in the program for two hours every week. Throughout the program the staff encouraged and provided positive feedback to the participants. The organizations did not allow volunteers to work with the study. After the ten-week program the staff leader carried out an interview with each participant and asked general questions about their experience with the program. The interviews were copied verbatim and analyzed.
The results were very positive. The first positive outcome was simply the commute from the urbanized areas to the countryside to ride the horses. This commute took the participants outside of their normal routines. This helped them to branch out and talk to one another and develop relationships with each other. The first time riding a horse was a major stepping stone where the participants were able to overcome fears and insecurities. Many of the participants stated that this single exercise helped them to understand that they can overcome their fears. It was and enabling exercise for many. Then after the ten-week program the participants stated that the relationship with the horse helped them to feel loved. They also state that they left the program every week having learned something. These feelings of accomplishment led to feelings of self-worth and self-accomplishment. The program helped those coping with these illnesses learn how to do more and feel empowered to do more.
This study was very helpful to those that are looking to find ways to cope with psychiatric illnesses. The program is designed to help those who participate feel self-sufficient and feel empowered to go on with life and do well. I think that the study was great although I would have liked to see a larger sample size. With the resources that were available I believe that they were very busy, but to make it more convincing they could maybe have a larger sample size. I feel like this was a very good study were they tried to help those suffering with psychiatric illnesses. I think that a study for those that maybe have gone through traumatic experiences would be great. We could maybe see the effect of the interaction with the animals on those who have had traumatic experiences and see if it helps to cope with the trauma. I feel like the study was a quality study and that we should continue learning more about this kind of therapy.