Second Chances Colorado: An Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program for Colorado Inmates.

Animal Assisted Therapy

April 2021

Full Citation

Provencher, K. (2015). Second Chances Colorado: An Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program for Colorado Inmates. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

Abstract

The goal of this doctoral research was to propose an equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) program for adult males incarcerated in Colorado. The field of EAP is in its infancy in terms of research, theory, and practice. A review of this literature results in a limited number of qualitative, case study, and anecdotal examples that are methodologically weak. Most studies fail to use random assignment, control groups, or significant sample sizes. There is even less research dedicated to EAP with inmates. The intention of this project was to develop an EAP treatment manual for Colorado inmates and propose an empirically sound method of program evaluation to promote the collection of valid, reliable, and methodologically sound outcome data. An 8-week EAP treatment manual and method for data collection was proposed and reviewed by two expert consultants. Their feedback was incorporated into the final version of the treatment manual. Recommendations for future research include the implementation of a pilot study that focuses on practical barriers to program implementation, collecting outcome data, and a cost-benefit analysis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)