Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Given the nature of horse-human interactions in equine-assisted services (EAS), death of a horse may have significant impacts. In this study, an online survey was distributed to EAS practitioners. The goal of the study was to explore the experiences of practitioners and identify the socioemotional processes that occur upon the death of an equine within an EAS program. Open-ended responses ( N = 84) were analyzed qualitatively using a grounded theory and constant-comparative approach. Responses are situated into two themes (1) Processing the death of an equine and (2) Practical implications. Experiences processing the death of an equine can be situated within Worden’s Four Tasks of Mourning, extending a grief model previously only considered in the context of human death to animal death. Practical implications found within responses highlight actions practitioners can take to prepare for and process through the death of an equine in their program.
Authors: Leanne O. Nieforth, Sara Kaufman
Institutions: Purdue University West Lafayette, University of Manchester
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,450
OpenAlex ID: W4395030575