The Healing Touch of Animal Therapy

More people are seeking animal-assisted therapy, according to some providers. Therapy animals reduce tension and make it easier for clients to open up.

- Shermaine Ang

Dealing with major depressive disorder and anger issues from past trauma, Charles turned to drinking and overeating as coping mechanisms—habits that took him years to break.

When the 24-year-old tried out equine-assisted learning in June 2024, which had him grooming and feeding the animals, he found a new way of connecting with and managing his emotions.

"Having to focus on the horses pulls you away from your problems, say with work, personal or relationships," said Charles, who did not give his full name. "It's like meditating."

Charles was among 821 people, up from 722 the year before, who benefited from charity Equal's animal-assisted programmes in the last financial year ending June 2024. They included youth, seniors and people with special needs.

This could be part of a growing trend, with some therapy providers here saying they are seeing more people seeking such novel forms of therapy.

WHAT IS ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY?

Charles looked forward to his weekly sessions at the stable in Jalan Mashhor, under Equal's Horse-ibilities programme.

He said being with horses took away the pressure he felt during talk therapy to face up to his emotions, as avoidance was his "survival mechanism" when he was younger. "When we wanted to work on my emotions, my behaviour, my actions, I had a very hard time.

"When I went for horse therapy, it almost felt like the horses were more aligned with their emotions than I was... They are very sensitive to emotions."

This helped Charles, who works in the real estate industry, become more attuned to his emotions.

His favourites were miniature horse Ginger, which he described as goofy and adorable, with messy hair, and Valentina, the "incredibly gentle" giant. "The horses are very loving. I could connect with them."