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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
Time: 9:18 pm
Time: 9:18 pm
Results for therapeutic programs
1 results foundAuthor: Thomas, Rachel Natasha Title: Using 'Equine-Assisted Therapy' to Aid the Rehabilitation of Young Offenders: An Evaluative Case Study of 'TheHorseCourse' Charity Summary: Interest in the potential of equine-assisted therapy and learning, where horses are incorporated in therapeutic, rehabilitative and learning interventions to ameliorate mental, emotional, behavioural and social issues, has increased over the past half century. Most recently, equine-assisted therapy has been adopted to aid the rehabilitation of offenders within the context of prisons. However, there is a demonstrable lack of peer-reviewed research and published evaluative studies examining the effectiveness of these emerging programmes. The purpose of this research was to produce a case study of TheHorseCourse, an equine-assisted offending behaviour programme at HMP/YOI Portland, and contribute to the evidential base regarding the programme's effectiveness. Given the infancy of research within this field, this research also aimed to contribute to the emerging knowledge base regarding the benefit of equine therapy interventions. The perceived impact and personal experiences of seventeen young offenders who participated on the course were explored. Secondary analysis of existing qualitative, semi-structured interviews with offenders following the completion of the course was conducted, drawing upon an open coding process to identify emergent themes. Results illustrated that TheHorseCourse has the potential to transform dysfunctional attitudes, thoughts and behaviour, improve engagement with the prison regime and develop skills in psychological resilience, emotion management and anger management. Based on these findings it appears possible to argue with some confidence that TheHorseCourse is an effective programme, contributing to the resocialisation and rehabilitation processes of offenders. There is a definite need for rigorous research that empirically validates the benefit of equine-assisted therapy if the programme is to be accepted and advanced. In the meantime, this research suggests that TheHorseCourse is a promising and innovative intervention, advancing further evidence of the potential value of this emerging therapeutic programme. Details: Southampton, UK: University of Southampton, 2013. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed April 20, 2015 at: http://www.thehorsecourse.org/docs/thehorsecourse-dissertation-rachel-thomas.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thehorsecourse.org/docs/thehorsecourse-dissertation-rachel-thomas.pdf Shelf Number: 135276 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsHorsesJuvenile DelinquentsRehabilitation Programs (U.K.)Therapeutic ProgramsYoung Adult Offenders |