HHRF is pleased to share that the efficacy results of HHRF’s 2018 funded study has been published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, a well-regarded journal that publishes on interventions for individuals with autism.
Dr. Caitlin Peters, the principal investigator of the project, shared “I am so grateful to the Horses and Humans Research Foundation for funding this study! This study is the first randomized controlled trial of a therapy service that integrates horses for youth with autism. We found that youth were more likely to meet or exceed their occupational therapy goals when a horse was integrated into the intervention, compared to a no-horse occupational therapy control group. Participants also demonstrated improved social motivation and decreased irritability. This pilot study laid the foundation for a program of research that is still ongoing, with the long-term goal of establishing the integration of horses into occupational therapy as an evidence-based practice for youth with autism.”
The journal has provided a sharing link that allows anyone to read the article free of charge: https://rdcu.be/cylf7
All of us at HHRF congratulate Dr. Peters and her team on this excellent work and publication.