Article archive / September 1, 2010
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 1. Source pages: 8.
“After hurricane Katrina, things were really in a mess,” said Dr. Beverly A. Stubblefield, a clinical psychologist in Slidell, Louisiana. “People’s lives were in disarray, nothing was the same, and anxiety became a normal feeling.” She noted that during those days more children began to experience feelings of insecurity, phobias increased, and families disintegrated.
It was at that same time that Beverly brought into being The Equestrian Therapy Center of Slidell. “ Most people are familiar with therapeutic riding for the handicapped,” she said. “But our Center had adapted a different approach—EAGALA—Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association’s nontraditional therapy techniques—for the primary presenting problems of anxiety,
mood disorders, marital discord, and pervasive developmental disorders.”
“In Equine Assisted Psycho- therapy,” she explained, “horses are used in a similar fashion as in play therapy to improve patients’ well-being and lifestyle functioning.” And she noted, “This type of therapy tends to effect behavior change more rapidly than more traditional forms of psychotherapy.”
Presently, The Equestrian Therapy Center treats adults and children who present a host of diagnoses from Asperger’s Syndrome and Pick’s Disease to Bipolar Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The primary goals are to stabilize mood, develop self-esteem, improve social skills, and help individuals accept everyday responsibilities.
According to Beverly, the therapeutic mechanism includes the fact that horses are large animals and some patients may not be comfortable around them initially. However, overcoming their fear adds confidence and completing tasks and obstacles improves self-esteem.
Other animals are also used with many patients at the Center. “People respond differently to the cats and dog depending upon their age and diagnosis,” she said. “So pretty much anyone can participate in therapy at the Center.”
Beverly explained that the feedback is quite positive. Parents and children report that equestrian therapy has helped improve self- efficacy, coping abilities, behavior problems, and stress. The horse work teaches characteristics like trust, loyalty, responsibility, and friendship. “Self-esteem is built when one overcomes fears and challenges presented with the horses,” she said. “These herd animals simulate human social
groups so social skills, cooperation, and patience are dynamic in equine assisted psychotherapy.”
Young campers have experienced good success in the program, said Beverly. “One camper reported it this way. ‘In horse camp I learned to fish, I learned how to ride horses, I don’t think about stuff anymore. I’m happy that I’m not thinking about stuff anymore and I like school much more.’ Her mother reported that she has learned to control her anxiety and not become upset and uncontrollable.”
“A young man who developed Trichotillomania and fear of storms spontaneously reported in camp this summer that he is no longer afraid of storms. He told us, ‘The horses taught me how to not be afraid.’
“If you can control an 800 pound horse,” said Dr. Beverly Stubblefield, “you can accomplish anything!”
To learn more about The Equestrian Therapy Center of Slidell, its programs and research, contact Dr. Stubblefield at 32597 CC Road, Slidell, Louisiana 70460, 985-641-4934, or drbeverly@charter.net.
Photos courtesy of ETC. Subjects are not clients.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.