Course Description:
This presentation looks at research on how horses learn and communicate using non-verbal language and behaviors and the influence a horse leader can have on the equine to reduce stress behaviors which can improve outcomes for both human clients and the equine in an Equine Assisted Services setting.
Intended Audience:
Occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathology professionals wanting to learn more about equine behavior and learning during interactions with humans in an EAS setting.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Identify ways horses identify humans they interact with.
2. Explore what research tells us about equine behavior in relation to human interactions and equine learning.
3. Identify equine behaviors of stress and frustration.
4. Discuss how conflicting signals from a horse leader and client may result in stress behavior in the horse.
5. Discuss how improved consistency in handling can improve both equine welfare and human safety during the interaction.
Presenter Bio:
Sharon Butler, BSVSc, DVM is an associate professor at Colorado State University and the Program Coordinator at the Temple Grandin Equine Center where she teaches undergraduate classes on equine assisted services and mentors students pursuing their PATH Intl. CTRI. She is a PATH, Intl. CTRI, Site Visitor and Mentor and currently serves as the Co-Chair for the PATH, Intl. Equine Welfare Committee. She is passionate about improving the welfare of horses in equine assisted services and works to provide enriching experiences for all the horses in her care. In her free time, she spends time with her horses and family. She can be reached at Sharon.butler@colostate.edu
Speaker Disclosure:
Financial: Sharon Butler is an independent contractor for AHA, Inc. and does not receives a fee from AHA, Inc. for instructional services.
Non-Financial: Sharon Butler is not a member of the AHA, Inc.
Course CEs:
AHA, Inc. is an AOTA Approved Provider of continuing education. Provider #: 11414. Full attendance at this course qualifies for 1 contact hours or .10 CEUs in the Category of Domain of OT, Occupational Therapy Process, and Professional Issues. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA. Course Level: Introductory
This program is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Introductory level, Professional area). A Certificate of Attendance will be provided. Contact hours are 1. There are no continuing education credits for the Equine Skills pre-requisite. Students will receive continuing education credits for the one-day online module.
AHA, Inc. recognizes that each state has separate PT requirements for CE approval. AHA, Inc. will work with each PT professional to determine if CEUs will be available, or can be obtained. If you have any questions regarding this, please ask when registering for a course.