Horse assisted activities on farms for people with drug related problems

Project summary

The project aims at developing a framework for appropriation of horse-assisted activities on “Inn på tunet” farms for people with present or former drug or addiction problems. “Inn på tunet” farms are selling quality assured welfare services to the municipalities, to health service institutions or to agencies brokering services between buyers and providers.

Equine assisted activities are much used in learning and addiction treatment worldwide, so also in Norway. Presently, using horses in therapy and (re-)habilitation are most often within the domain of health professionals (e.g. physiotherapists, psychologists). The present project aims at developing a working method, which can be used by experienced horse handlers, and farmers who want to offer their services to people with drug related or addiction related problems.

All stakeholders are invited into the project – participants, farmer, professionals, horse-handlers and volunteers at the horse farms. Two farms, one hospital and a low-threshold follow-up care center have been involved.

The putcome of the project is a written guide, films (a short and a long), and academic publications and presentations.