A horse cannot become a licensed therapist in the same way that a human can. But the possibilities of a horse becoming a therapist are promising, given the positive outcomes of equine-assisted services. This unifying term encompasses services in which professionals work with horses to benefit human health. These are distinct services which address therapy, learning and life skills, and horsemanship. We will discuss how each of these areas contribute to human health and explore how therapy incorporating horses is effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues. Topics will include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and symptoms associated with other emotional and behavioral disorders.”

Our next guest at “What IPH?” Seminar, Dr. Kimberly I. Tumlin, assistant professor at the University of Kentucky, will explore these possibilities in a very interesting conversation with our program facilitator, Dr. John Lyons, professor and the director of the Center for Innovation in Population Health at the University of Kentucky.