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Research Highlights the Utility of Equine-Assisted Therapy in Improving The Lives of Teenagers From Barstow, CA

Equine Therapy Programs for Troubled Girls Barstow California CA 

For hundreds of years, there have been long-held beliefs that equine-assisted therapy provides physical and many psychotherapeutic benefits for those who engage in experiential treatment. However, the first studies that focus on the mental health applications of equine-assisted therapy (including therapy involving teens from Barstow, CA) have finally been conducted. While research into the treatment is still in its infancy, the research has thus far yielded remarkable results. 


One psychiatric paper published, Cantin A. & Marshall-Lucette S., (2011) "Examining the Literature on the Efficacy of Equine Assisted Treatment for People with Psychological and Behavioural Disorders," for example, revealed promising results in the use of EAT in increasing positive and reducing self-destructive behaviors as well as in proving beneficial for those suffering from general mental health problems.

The most recent study, the Hartpury University's postgraduate research project, was a published clinical study involving over 100 teenagers and young adults and 96 therapists that used a mixed-method method centered around a quantitative questionnaire to assess equine therapy and its effect on behavioral and mental health. 

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According to their findings, participants' self-assessed wellbeing scores increased by nearly 70 percent compared to scores beforehand. 

According to one researcher, "Partakers felt they had increased in the five areas assessed: self-confidence, composure, information, flexibility, and positivity."

Seven out of ten of those who felt they had undergone a positive impact from the therapy described increased self-confidence and repaired relationships due to the equine-assisted therapy programs. 

Another example of clinical analysis is a 2017 study titled "Effects of Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy on Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Youth," which concluded that equine-assisted therapy was just as efficient in treating post-traumatic stress in teens from Barstow, CA as psychiatric counseling.

This research, in particular, shows the potential of equine treatment. Consider it this way, simply on its own, equine therapy generated similarly confident results as traditional psychotherapy. By reasoning this statement, one can quickly elucidate how effective the treatment could be when used with standard and even intensive residential practices. 

The outcome of many psychiatric specialists looking into the mental health applications of equine therapy is more than positive. 

While various acknowledge that the analysis into the treatment is still in its early stages, they also argue that those using equine-assisted therapy are simply anticipating that additional concrete research to catch up on what many have already identified for centuries and what cutting-edge studies have thus far proven: Equine therapy is a stalwart treatment remedy that treats most mental and behavioral conditions -- the most critical and far-reaching mental illnesses currently troubling teenage girls from Barstow, CA today.  

Equine-Assisted Interventions' Therapeutic Impact on Teenage Girls from Barstow, CA 

While Equine-Assisted Therapy is equitably effective in healing any demographic, it is particularly efficient for adolescents. Specifically, animal-assisted intervention therapies are clinically proven to promote teens' emotional, cognitive, and social states of well-being.

A joint study from 2004 titled, 'Can Animals Support and Assist Humans in Healing? Animal-Assisted Treatments in At-Risk Teenage Mental Health' proposes that AAT, namely, horses is effective in developing the following (in teenage girls from Barstow, CA): 

  • General anxiety disorders
  • Correspondence between patient and therapist
  • Agreement and recognition in therapy
  • Resolute social behaviors

The corresponding study found prefatory evidence that animal-assisted therapy (horses in particular) for teens" (including teens from Barstow, CA) catalyze learning, comfort sources, and outlets for nurturance."

Similar studies have shown that animal-assisted therapy can also help treat teens who have struggled with socializing. 

It is typical for mental health-related circumstances, such as depression or stress, to negatively influence the part of a teen's brain that enables them to interact with others productively. But, interestingly, this part of the brain is unaffected when it comes to interacting with animals.

Consequently, when clinically anti-social teens are introduced to an animal during therapy sessions, they are more easily able to access that otherwise shut-off part of their brain - allowing them to successfully undergo traditional therapy with a psychiatric professional. 

Support for Parents of At-risk Adolescents from Barstow, CA

Families from Barstow, CA have made MasterNet their first choice for child rehabilitation and support. Parents, searching for direction for their child, can expect a team of compassionate, professional counselors and leaders here at MasterNet. MasterNet operates from the understanding that "rehabilitation" must come from the inside-out, not from the outside-in. We are faithful to the life skills development and experiential education for all adolescent girls, who may be battling low self-esteem, video game addiction (gaming), or blended family (relationship) obstacles, but also the entire family; with the support they need for lasting rehabilitation.

MasterNet’s counselors and field staff discourage judgments and labels, and never allow a diagnosis to interfere with what at-risk teens have in common with each other - their humanity. We have provided support to numerous families from all over the nation, including those from Barstow, CA; Our licensed counselors provide a variety of relevant residential treatment strategies (equine, life training, behavioral therapy); helping students toward the path of rehabilitation for teens battling drug abuse/addiction (including marijuana), ADD/ADHD (attentional disorder), or anger related obstacles.

MasterNet has served numerous at-risk teen students from Barstow, CA, and we can provide direction for your child too. Don’t hesitate to contact MasterNet’s admissions specialists for more information regarding enrollment, tuition, and insurance options. For testimonials from current and past MasterNet families, connect with our admissions specialist at (435) 574-4518 today!

“But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.' Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?” And he said,

“The one who showed mercy toward him. Then Jesus said to him, Go and do the same.” Luke 10: 33-37