Fly kites and toy planes far away from power lines, and leave any thing if it lands on a wire

The Healing Power of Animals

By Ariana Kramer

Judy Schneider and Einstein at Healing Through Horses.

Note: The story and photos were written and taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ariana provides readers with an update as of May 2020. T he human-animal bond is strong. It also heals. If I have a difficult day my dog, Shlomi, will lick my face and place her paw on my arm to let me know she’s there. When he was still alive, my pit-bull mix, Amigo, would curl his body next to mine and cover me with kisses. Over and over again, the companion dogs and cats I have lived with—and other animals who have crossed my path—have helped me through rough moments. So, when I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) six years ago, it was natural for me to turn to animals for help.

Trauma and PTSD Basics

The term “trauma” comes from the Greek word for “wound.” The American Psychological Association defines trauma as “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster.” Healing takes time, but a few months after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, most people can resume their normal activities and functioning.

However, some people develop a condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder. The term was first used in 1980 in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. PTSD is commonly associated with the Vietnam War and its veterans who returned home. Earlier terms for the same phenomenon include “shell shock,” “soldier’s heart,” and “battle fatigue.”

We now know PTSD is an anxiety disorder that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. The onset of symptoms can happen months or years after a traumatic event. Research shows it is unlikely the symptoms of PTSD will resolve on their own without treatment.

The good news is that there is help. According to the National Center for PTSD, run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, effective treatments include trauma-focused psychotherapy and medication. Numerous studies show another effective PTSD treatment is animal-assisted therapy in which a trained therapist or animal handler works alongside a dog, horse or other animal to provide support for a person.

Healing through Horses

I found Judy Schneider and her animals through serendipity. A friend of mine had picked up a Healing Through Horses brochure and shared it with me. Schneider lives in Abiquiu. My friend and I drove to attend one of Schneider’s all-women retreats with horses. I was hesitant at first because it was difficult for me to be among groups of people, but Schneider welcomed me warmly. With the horses looking on, I soon felt my anxiety lessen.

In the months that followed, I worked with Schneider and her horses in group settings as well as one-on-one. I bonded with Buster, a large sorrel draft horse who beamed strength and solidity. Then there was Einstein, a mischievous black horse who liked to knock people’s hats off and play other tricks. Other horses included Jack, Madonna, and Guapito.

PTSD can cause a person to feel different and distanced from others, leading to social isolation. In my own case, acceptance by the horses helped to alleviate this. If the horses could accept me, maybe I could accept myself—and maybe other people would accept me, too.

I remember one day when Schneider asked me if I would like to climb onto Buster’s back. This was unusual, but I did it. Then, she suggested I lie down on Buster’s bare back. This was even more unusual. I lowered myself down, placing my spine against his, my chest open to the sky. I felt the horse breathe under me, and my whole body relaxed. His broad back supported me completely. It felt like I was lying on a warm beach or a whale—lulled by the gentle rise and fall of Buster’s breathing.

It was a strong reminder of the support I have in this world, even when I cannot feel it. Buster gave me hope in the natural rhythms of life again and in my abilities to heal from my wounds.