To date, more than 70 veterans, both men and women, have participated in the treatment trial, which took place over eight weeks at the Bergen Equestrian Center, just 15 minutes from the Columbia University campus. Treatment began with a full evaluation by Dr. Neria’s research team and included a pre- and post-MRI to determine any changes in the brain. Those data will be detailed in their findings. However, the anecdotal results are encouraging. “Horses produce a safe relational engagement, more so than any pet or even any person,” says Dr. Lieberman. “And that produces a kind of a transient relaxation in the hypervigilance and the noxious emotionality associated with the traumatic experience that the individual underwent. With repeated administration, the therapy allows the noxious, intensive, emotional component to the memories of their traumatic experience to dissipate.” “Unlike other treatments for veterans, this program is very desirable for them,” says Dr. Neria. “They are happy to participate, dropouts are minimal, and side effects are basically nonexistent, which is very important. We are only beginning to understand the negative effects that war has on our veterans and how to address them effectively. We have a responsibility to explore all possible avenues of treatment for PTSD, and we are proud to continue this innovative study.” Dr. Neria and Dr. Fisher will publish the results of their study in the near future and will also distribute a training manual that can be used by horse therapy centers nationwide. “The model, which is tested, can be disseminated and made available to other facilities that want to provide treatment, to veterans organizations that want to simply find a way to have the treatment enacted in conjunction with their mental health care facility, or to equine-assisted therapy programs seeking a proven, effective protocol,” says Dr. Lieberman.
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