Equine-Assisted Counseling

The Campbell Lodge Boys’ Home is proud to be the only children’s home in the Northern Kentucky area who offers equine-assisted services for all residents. 

Begun in 2006, Equine-Assisted Counseling (EAC) is a unique therapy program offered to all residents.  Current research in the neurosciences indicates that experiential therapies such as EAC are often preferable to traditional avenues for adolescents who don’t have fully developed capacities for abstract thinking. 

The use of horses in treatment virtually eliminates the stigma of traditional talk therapy and creates a non-threatening environment for the boys to openly explore alternative means of addressing their feelings and behaviors.  The residents enjoy the benefits of therapeutic, vocational and riding program at the Equine Center throughout the year regardless of the weather.  There have been remarkable results over the past year in what this program means to the residents.

1. 42% of residents experienced a reduction in clinical concerns as a result of the equine-assisted therapy.
   
   
2. 64% of residents successfully completed a rigorous and competency-based program that prepared them for entry level positions in the equine industry.
   
   
3. 75% of residents said they benefited from the horse partners.
   
   
4. 100% of residents were able to ride, many for the first time.

Boys are being admitted to the Home with a growing complexity of issues that need to be addressed in a relatively short period of time.  Utilization of alternative means of therapy, such as Equine-Assisted Counseling, will provide them with an environment more conducive to spontaneity, as well as provide the therapist the ability to observe the child’s behavior and interactions with the horse and others. 

Breaking down communication barriers is critical to providing therapy to at-risk youth.  EAC will put children in a non-traditional counseling arena with an increased chance of open and honest dialogue.