fessional, and the person seeking such an animal
must have a verifiable disability.
Therapists believe that horses are able to reflect
our own emotions, so patients are encouraged
to make the connection between their own life
situations and the lessons they learn from the
horses.
The last type of dog is really not a therapy dog
but a “SERVICE ANIMAL.” While these trained
animals can offer
emotional supMany people
port to their ownWhen
are
believe that the
ers just like their
use of horses is
complex and
therapy foureven more benefilegged friends
laced with anxiety for a person,
cial than that of
can, service aniany other therapy
mals must be able
and animal. The
to perform some
activities associof the functions
can be a
ated with horses
and tasks that the
are very hands
much-needed, peaceful,
individual with
on, and particia disability canpants don’t feel
not perform for
as though they
themselves. Serare involved in a
vice dogs are not
therapy session.
considered pets
Horses
gives
you
immediate
feedback
about
but, instead, working animals. Unlike therapy
your own actions and body language through
or emotional support animals, service animals
mirroring. If you are tense and nervous, the
are covered under the Americans with Disability
horse will mirror this feeling. You learn to act
Act and are, therefore, allowed access to buildand react appropriately.
ings (including restaurants, libraries, supermarkets and churches), transportation systems and
DOLPHINS
other public areas and services.
Just being in the water has been known to
have a therapeutic effect on some people; add
the unique experience of swimming with dolHORSES
phins and, well, you can see why this form of
The use of horses in therapy has been around
animal therapy is so popular. Some researchers
for ages. The Greeks documented the horse’s
have suggested that the sounds dolphins emit
therapeutic value in 600BC, and the term often
through their whistles and clicks can have the
referred to this type of therapy, “hippotherapy,”
same therapeutic effective that music therapy
even derived from the Greek word hippos,
can have. While there is not a lot of scientific
meaning hors K