The Role of Recreational Therapy in Equine-Assisted Services

Authors

  • Blair McKissock Purdue University
  • Betsy Kemeny Slippery Rock University
  • Taylor Hooker Clemson University
  • Courtney Gramlich Slippery Rock University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2023-V57-I4-11989

Keywords:

Animal-assisted therapy, equine-assisted services, recreational therapy

Abstract

Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialists (CTRS®) have incorporated equines into their practice for many years. Though not common, it is growing in popularity as the demand for equine-assisted services (EAS) grows. Recent factors draw new attention and significance to the discussion, including the 2021 Optimal Terminology Consensus paper. This paper left out recreational therapy (RT) service provision. The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) Board of Directors commissioned a task force to define the position of therapeutic recreation within the defined service provisions of EAS and the role of the CTRS® in the implementation. This paper examines RT within the newly defined EAS scope. As a result of this work, RT was accepted as a therapy service as defined by the parameters of the Optimal Terminology Consensus paper under “Therapy.” The role of the CTRS® in planning and implementing a RT session incorporating equines using the Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation (APIE) process is also discussed. The hope is to advocate for and bring awareness to the essential role of RT and the need for further development of professional competencies, training, protocols, and standards for CTRS®s who incorporate equines into their practice as an intervention or modality for their clients.

Author Biographies

Blair McKissock, Purdue University

Dr. Blair McKissock serves as the Outreach Specialist for the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University and the Director of Education and Research at Strides to Success. After college, she became a therapeutic riding instructor beginning her 25 year career in equine-assisted services.  She earned her Masters in Education and eventually a PhD in applied ecopsychology, focusing her research on the mental health impact of equine interaction for Veterans and trauma survivors.  She is a certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Equine Specialist, Certified Trauma Specialist and Master HorseWork Facilitator. She is the Co-Chair of the equine-assisted learning certification task force for PATH Int'l developing the new Equine Assisted Learning Certification.  She is also the equine-assisted learning community chair and sits on the equine consortium for the Veterans Administration.  She has published 6 peer-reviewed papers in Equine-assisted research, and is the author/co-author of 3 published chapters, including in the first textbook on Veterinary Social Work. She has authored over 25 editorial articles on equine-assisted learning and 12 equine-assisted curricula.    

Betsy Kemeny, Slippery Rock University

Betsy Kemeny is an associate professor and chair in the Recreational Therapy Department at Slippery Rock University.

Taylor Hooker, Clemson University

Taylor Hooker is a PhD student in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences at Clemson University.

Courtney Gramlich, Slippery Rock University

Courtney Gramlich is director of Storm Harbor Equestrian Center at Slippery Rock University.

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Downloads

Published

2023-10-19

Issue

Vol. 57 No. 4 (2023): Annual in Therapeutic Recreation Issue, Volume 30

Section

ATRA Annual

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