Equine-Assisted Services: A Model For Social Work In The Environment
Dana Spett, MSW
Abigail West, LSW
Equine-Assisted Services: A Model For Social Work In The Environment
Pony Power Therapies
Dana Spett, MSW
Abigail West, LSW
Grounding Theories
Case Studies
Our Farm
Asset Mapping and Breakout Groups
Discussion
Resources
Table of Contents
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02
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Exploring five theories that shape our perspective: Person-in Environment, Biophilia, Strengths Based Perspective, Systems, and One Health
Examining existing literature that builds a case for including the environment in practice
How Pony Power Therapies began to incorporate the environment in practice
Learning how to document the green assets that exist in your social work practice
Hearing about your centers.
Resources to help you begin the process of asset inventory and mapping
Grounding Theories
01
Exploring the Social Work theoretical perspectives that guide our presentation
Person-In-Environment Theory
Mary Richmond (1892)
Human behavior cannot be properly understood without consideration of the various dimensions of an individual’s environment (social, political, familial, temporal, spiritual, economic, and physical).
Biophilia Hypothesis
E.O. Wilson (1984)
“The innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes” (Wilson, 1984).
Strengths Based Perspective
Weick, Rapp, Sullivan, and Kishardt (1989)
Rather than solely focusing on what is wrong in a person's life, the strengths perspective considers the positive and functional aspects of behaviors and situations. Every situation has strengths!
Systems Theory
Ludwig von Bertalanffy (1937)
A group of interacting interdependent parts that form a complex whole.
One Health
��Charles Schwabe (1976)
�A collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach—working at the local, regional, national, and global levels—with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment (CDC).
��
One Health
Charles Schwabe (1976)
�A collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach—working at the local, regional, national, and global levels—with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment (CDC).
��
Case Studies
02
Examining the Impact of the natural environment on human health outcomes
Impact of the Natural Environment on Physical and Mental Health outcomes
Kotera et. al (2022)
Research Question: What are the mental health effects of a natural environment?
Design: Meta analysis - a formal review of 20 independent studies that analyzes the results of previous research to derive conclusions about that body of research.
Results: Spending at least 15 minutes in a natural environment has a significant positive impact on both physical and mental health outcomes, specifically on anxiety, depression, stress, and anger.
Humans possess an instinctive, genetic bond with nature (E.O. Wilson 1984)
Familiarity: In over seven million years of human history, we have spent 99.99% of the time in nature
Nature activates the parasympathetic nervous system/ soothing system, endorsing compassion, safety and connection, protecting our mental health.
Nature reduces the level of rumination (negative repetitive thoughts, linking with mental health problems) and the activities of the subgenual prefrontal cortex .
Possible Explanations
For the Horse
Natural Horse Boarding Vs Traditional Stable: A Comparison of Hormonal, Hematological and Immunological Parameters
Placci et al., (2019)
Research Question: How do different horse husbandry styles affect horses' physiological levels, and thus overall welfare?
Design: 21 horses kept in natural management systems were compared to 26 horses in conventional management systems. Blood and horse hair were extracted to determine cortisol and DHEA levels.
Results: Horses living in natural management systems had lower levels of cortisol and DHEA.
How does this apply to an EAS center?
Health benefits of a view of nature through the window: a quasi-experimental study of patients in a residential rehabilitation center - Raanaas et. al, (2012)
Research Objective: To examine the health benefits of a bedroom window view to natural surroundings for patients undergoing a residential rehabilitation programme.
Results: An unobstructed bedroom view to natural surroundings appears to have better supported improvement in self-reported physical and mental health during a residential rehabilitation programme, although the degree of change varied with gender and diagnostic group.
Figure 1: View from a typical control room.
Figure 2: View from a typical aquatic mural room.
Figure 3: View from a typical tree mural room.
The Physiological Impact of Window Murals on Pediatric Patients - Pearson et. al (2019)
Research Objective: To examine the magnitude of impact of two nature-themed window murals on physiological processes, as measured by heart rate and blood pressure, of pediatric patients.
Results: Patients in the rooms with murals were found to have improvements in heart rate and systolic blood pressure in comparison to patients in control rooms, suggesting that the murals had an impact on physiological processes. Data also suggest that subject matter played a role, as patients in tree murals rooms had the most positive health-related outcomes.
Interconnection
The impact of space and place on horse and human health
Our Farm
03
How Pony Power Therapies began to incorporate the environment into practice
Pony Power Mission
Pony Power Therapies is a non-profit organization that uses horses and an accessible farm to enhance the physical, social and emotional well-being of children and adults who need extra support.
Pony Power’s Beginnings
Pony Power’s Beginnings
Pony Power’s Beginnings
Framing EAS Through The Lens Of The Environment
Pony Power’s Present
Pony Power’s Present
Pony Power’s Present
Pony Power’s Present
Asset Mapping
04
How to incorporate the environment into your practice
—Regenerative Design Group
“You can’t ever control or overpower your environment - you have to pay attention to it, and it’ll tell you what it wants to be and what it needs.”
Asset Mapping: A strengths-based tool
Asset Mapping: The general process of identifying and providing information about the strengths and resources of a center on a map. It supports strategic planning efforts to address your center’s issues by building on resources and strengths.
Green Assets: Anything that connects humans to the natural environment.
Breakout: Taking Inventory
Be prepared to share your name, your location, and a brief description of the land surrounding your practice (i.e., forest land, desert, urban environment, etc.)!
Green Asset | How is this asset currently being (or not being) used? | How can this asset better benefit your program? | Next steps |
Example: Pond | Not used; hidden behind indoor ring | Make the pond viewable from the indoor ring | Speak to board about adding windows along the back wall of the indoor ring |
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Let’s discuss!