Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
Spring 4-24-2025
Faculty Mentor
Zesarae Bodie
Abstract
Young individuals with disabilities often face significant challenges in acquiring essential life skills, primarily those with cognitive impairments. This often limits their ability to live independently and fully participate in daily activities. Without progress in developing these skills, individuals may struggle with tasks such as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Equine-assisted services (EAS), as defined by The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, is "recommended as an optimal unifying term to refer to multiple services in which professionals incorporate horses and other equines to benefit people" (Wood et al., 2021).
A doctoral capstone project was conducted in collaboration with Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding (CATR) to evaluate the use of EAS in developing life skills and its impact on educational outcomes for young adults with disabilities.
Educators of participants completed surveys at multiple intervals (pre, midterm, post, and weekly) to track progress. Results showed that 100% of students demonstrated improvement in both life skills and educational outcomes, according to the educators’ reports. In addition, a quality improvement project was developed to provide CATR with resources to advocate for the program's expansion, allowing for more students with disabilities the opportunity to benefit from EAS.
Sources:
Wood, W., Alm, K., Benjamin, J., Thomas, L., Anderson, D., Pohl, L., & Kane, M. (2021). Optimal terminology for services in the United States that incorporate horses to benefit people: A consensus document. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 27(1), 88–95. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0415
Recommended Citation
Marcum, Mackenzie, "The Use of Equine-Assisted Services to Develop Life Skills and Improve Educational Outcomes in Young Adults with Disabilities" (2025). Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium. 49.
https://medica-musc.researchcommons.org/muscotd-elotd/49