Connecting the Spirit of a Horse with the Soul of a Veteran: Chaplain and Equine-Assisted Learning for Moral Injury

This article seeks to explore the potential efficacy of combining chaplain care and equine-assisted interventions (EAI) as a therapeutic intervention in veterans with moral injury through a review of EAL research that has been conducted and the presentation of preliminary data from an ongoing EAL program being conducted.Recent FindingsThere is extensive research on the links of suicidality and moral injury in veterans and chaplain care to addressing moral injury. But there are minimal studies on the efficacy of equine-assisted interventions as a treatment modality within the veteran population to address PTSD, even less that address the efficacy of EAI in treating moral injury or chaplain integration into EAI care. Based on what research is available for all categories, it could be proposed that chaplain integration into EAI for moral injury could be an effective approach in treating moral injury.SummaryHorses and Heroes of Southeast Florida is implementing a specific type of integrative EAL based on relationship, safety, trust, and mindfulness. Preliminary evidence and veteran program reviews show that this specific makeup of integrative EAI is having a positive effect on the overall wellbeing and potentially moral injury of veterans in the program and necessitates further exploration and research.
Source: Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research