NSU Horizons Fall 2010

12 horizons interact with each other—who are the dominant members and who are the followers—and how the family’s relationships can be improved. “The horse often reflects the family dynamics and helps the therapist gain understanding. You do not get that immediacy in a clinical setting. Here, the therapist can quickly get a sense of each person’s role in the family,” said Lewis. Olivia Schlapfer Colmer, an NSU family therapy doctoral student and clinical coordinator for Stable Founda- tions, agreed. “For the family, results are also immediate. It demonstrates, in a nonthreatening way, how to work to- gether. We’ve seen that it allows them to see different ways of handling things.” Recently, six members from the Redding* family arrived at Stable Foundations for a family therapy session. Goldie and Paris, two mares that Sperling rescued from abuse five years ago, worked as horse therapists on the team. The Redding children, in a family of 11, range in ages from 15 to 28 years old. “I haven’t even lived in the house much since Sue was born,” said the oldest son, Phil, about his youngest sister. The family learned of EAFT after one of the older daughters finished several sessions with Lewis. Lewis brought the group to where outreach coordinator and equine specialist for Stable Foundations Valerie Bruce Judd waited with the horses. “We always have two trained specialists present at all times when the clients are working with the horses,” said Green. “Valerie’s job is to watch the horse, and her priority is to be aware of the interaction between the horse and the client. She also monitors safety. We discuss what is happening during the session, noting carefully what the horses are doing as a way to help the family notice patterns of behavior.” Lewis then invited the family to choose a horse. Phil, the oldest sibling, immediately walked to one of the horses, but the rest of the family remained behind. “Is that how it usually goes?” Lewis asked to the family. Each member of the group nodded. “He always jumps right in,” said a younger sibling. The family was given another task: to get a saddle from the fence and place it on one of the horses. After a few fits and starts, the family, following Lewis’ instructions to have the two younger siblings direct the group in its task, completed the exercise. Afterward, the family commented on the exercise— designed to allow them to explore their typical styles of relating to each other— and how unusual it was for the younger siblings, typically the followers, to act as the leaders of the group. “The beauty of the process is that, while the horses are just being horses, there is just a whole lot of learning go- ing on for everyone. Their natural ability to respond intuitively to humans can lead to new understandings and new solutions. The horses make great co-therapists,” said Green. n *Names have been changed to protect patient confidentiality. Individuals, couples, groups, children, and families can participate in equine- assisted family therapy. Fees are comparable to other outpatient family therapy services. Some health insurance plans may cover a portion of the cost. To learn more, contact Lorisa P. Lewis, program director of Stable Foundations, at (407) 493-9656; or Shelley Green, professor of family therapy at NSU, at (954) 262-3028. Therapy sessions are held in Davie, Florida. For more information on equine therapy, visit Stable Foundations at www.equinefamilytherapy.com or the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association at www.EAGALA.org . Equine therapy is valuable for SHSS students training to become therapists.