Cape Town - An equine therapy pilot project at Valkenberg Hospital in Cape Town that has had a positive impact on patients, decreasing their irritability and aggressive behaviour, will be expanded.
Marc Roffey, a psychiatrist at Valkenberg Hospital, said the aim of the eight-week pilot project, which ended in December, was to improve the participants’ ability to work and function in a group, decrease irritability and aggressive behaviours, while improving interpersonal and social skills.
“Each session focused on different themes, namely communication, trust, assertiveness as well as choices and consequences. Although minor, we were able to see distinctive improvements in the selected six clients during the course of the piloted project,” Roffey said.
The project was mostly funded by NGO, the Equinox Trust, with a small contribution by Valkenberg Hospital. The Equinox Trust specialises in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), which focuses on the emotional and mental health of participants.
The initiative will now be expanded into three 12-week programmes scheduled for this year, starting next month.
“The project has been successful. The patients enjoyed the intervention, which was also well supported by staff.
“Outcome measures, in terms of reducing irritability and improving interpersonal and social behaviours, showed positive changes,” Roffey said.
Fiona Bromfield, of the Equinox Trust, said: “EAP is an innovative and creative method for addressing a wide range of therapeutic and emotional needs in individuals.
“It is a short-term, collaborative effort between a mental health professional and a horse professional. Strategic activities are established for the participant to partake in with the horse, excluding riding.”
She said the horses were able to accurately assess the state of being of an individual and communicate non-verbally.
“These animals make great companions for psychotherapy, because they can mirror and instantly respond to human behaviour. There’s also a healing bond that can develop between humans and horses.
“EAP utilises this relationship with the horse as a tool to mirror a participant’s experiences and facilitate change and development.”
The Equinox Trust can be contacted at 083 278 7382.
Cape Times