Treatment of Trauma Using Horse Assisted Education in Poland

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2023.S.03

Keywords:

PTSD, EAGALA, metaphor, human-horse bonding, case studies

Abstract

Trauma-informed care requires a sound therapeutic relationship to address trauma symptoms. People with trauma symptoms often cannot use their communication skills or do not possess the emotional stability to talk with others, and many drop out of treatment.  Horse Assisted Education employs a partnership of horse and humans which leads to engagement and participation in experiential and narrative trauma treatment leading to sustained change and recovery. This paper illustrates a model of Horse Assisted Education in Poland, its application in the treatment of trauma symptoms. Three case studies are used to discuss the ways in which the human-animal partnerships foster therapeutic engagement and facilitate experiential learning and insight into trauma symptoms and recovery.

Author Biographies

Karolina Czarnecka, HorseSpirit: Psychological Counseling and Development Programs with Horses

Karolina Czarnecka is a psychologist, certified specialist in helping victims of family violence, certified specialist in working with perpetrators of violence. For ten years she has been working for Polish National Care Service for Victims of Family Violence “Blue Line” and the Centre for Persons Victimized by Crime, where she works with people experiencing violence and crimes. She has been involved with horses for over thirty years and is a certified facilitator of EAHAE – International Association for Horse Assisted Education, thanks to which she combines her professional work with her love for horses. This combination gave rise to programs using horses' skills to support people experiencing violence. For several years the programs she has been running for both individuals and groups have helped many people to deal with traumatic experiences.

Kathleen Farkas, Case Western Reserve University

Kathleen J. Farkas, Ph.D. LISW-Supv. is an Associate Professor of Social Work at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. She has extensive clinical and research experience in the areas of mental health and addictions assessment and treatment. Dr. Farkas has a long time interest in substance use issues among older adults and women, and her work has focused on addictions and mental health issues among those incarcerated in jails and prisons. Recently she has been involved in research, teaching, and publications related to animal assisted interventions in mental health and addictions. She is the chairperson of the Mandel School direct practice faculty as well as the specialization faculty for substance use disorders and recovery.

Jaroslaw R. Romaniuk, Case Western Reserve University

Jaroslaw R. Romaniuk, PhD, LISW-S, LICDC, is a researcher and educator. Currently he works as a full-time lecturer at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. From 2004 to 2015 he worked as a social worker at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He also worked in the School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, as a neuroscientist. His experience at the VA has led him to participate in national VA committees and the National Association of Social Workers in Ohio. He was also
involved locally, as a Board member of The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County (2010–2017).

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Published

2023-06-09

How to Cite

Czarnecka, K., Farkas, K., & Romaniuk, J. R. (2023). Treatment of Trauma Using Horse Assisted Education in Poland. Zoophilologica. Polish Journal of Animal Studies, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2023.S.03

Issue

2023: Zoophilologica: Veterinary Social Work. Special issue

Section

ARTICLES

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