Today the Senate Jobs committee heard key legislation that uses equine therapy to help first responders recovering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The bill, authored by Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake), provides funding for Abijah’s on the Backside to pilot where professional mental health professionals use equine-assisted therapy to treat first responders suffering from job-related trauma.  

“PTSD rates are on the rise for first responders—they see horrific scenes on the job, yet they still go to work and serve our communities every day. We’re finally starting to understand the effects of repeated exposure to these stressful situations, and we know these jobs can leave lasting effects that can affect their personal lives,” said Pratt. “Horses respond to both the behaviors and the moods of patients, allowing them to function as instantaneous feedback for the person they’re interacting with. By funding this important pilot we’re not only investing in life-changing treatment, but we are providing an important therapeutic outlet for our first responders so they can successfully recover from job-induced trauma.”

Because of the unique style of treatment, equine therapy leads to reduction in anxiety, fear, depression, and social isolation, and can help with symptoms of trauma. A study conducted in 2018 found that equine therapy was successful in treating veterans with PTSD, and a “6-week program produced clinically significant outcomes.”

The bill was laid over.

An overview and patient experience can be found at https://vimeo.com/684303799, which features the work done by the local group Abijah’s on the Backside.