What is Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) has several names that describes what is quite simply the use of animals, specifically horses, to “assist” Learning in humans. Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), Equine Assisted PsychoLearning (EAP) and Equine PsychoLearning are also commonly used to describe this same process of using horses to assist in the application of behavioural Learning.
In Equine Assisted Learning the client (sometimes referred to as a patient) spends a significant amount of time bonding with the horse. EAL learning is increasingly used and recognised as benefiting the communication, motor skills, and social skills of an autistic person. It also causes improvement in responses to verbal and external stimuli and relaxation.
Clients are usually referred for Equine Assisted Learning from a wide range of health professionals including the HSE, Tusla, Teachers Schools, Associations, Residential Care Homes and Parents, GP’s, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Psychiatric Doctors and Nurses, Occupational Therapists and private clinics.