Volunteer Engagement within Equine Assisted Services.

Area of Science:

• Psychoneuroendocrinology
• Human-Animal Interaction
• Volunteerism Studies

Background:

• Therapeutic horsemanship programs, such as those accredited by PATH Intl, rely heavily on volunteers.
• Volunteers play a crucial role in facilitating adaptive riding lessons for individuals with diverse needs.
• Understanding the psychological and physiological experiences of these volunteers is essential for program sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in physiological stress (cortisol, alpha-amylase) and affiliative bonding (oxytocin) markers in volunteers during adaptive riding sessions.
• To assess volunteer satisfaction and perceptions of their roles within Equine Assisted Services (EAS).

Main Methods:

• Forty-one volunteers participated in a 10-session intervention combining adaptive riding and cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Saliva samples were collected pre/post sessions at four time points to measure oxytocin, cortisol, and alpha-amylase.
• Post-intervention surveys assessed volunteer experiences and satisfaction.

Main Results:

• A non-significant positive trend was observed in oxytocin and alpha-amylase levels.
• Cortisol levels remained stable throughout the intervention.
• Survey responses indicated volunteers perceived their roles positively, highlighting a sense of responsibility and enjoyment.

Conclusions:

• Volunteers in adaptive riding programs experience a complex interplay of stress and affiliative bonding.
• The perceived responsibility for safety may contribute to physiological stress markers, counterbalanced by positive social bonding.
• Understanding these nuanced experiences is critical for fostering meaningful and sustainable volunteer engagement in the EAS industry.