Category Archives: Publications/Media

Equine Therapy: A Personal Experience, Part One, by Claire Dorotik, LMFT

As equine therapy is truly a modality that is best experienced, as opposed to described, sometimes it is helpful to share a personal accounting of a way in which a horse can help a human. Therefore, this blog post is actually an excerpt from my book, ON THE BACK OF A HORSE: Harnessing the Healing Power of the Human-Equine Bond. This is part one in a series.

My introduction to what equine facilitated psychotherapy really is was one that, like most moments of sagacity, left me utterly speechless. Even of more consequence to me was the fact that I had known horses my entire life, having ridden for almost as many years, and been involved in every aspect of the horse business from training, breeding, showing, transporting and mending horses, from the age of five. Yet I had, as many so often do, failed to consider my horses’ capacity for any awareness beyond that of my own.

While I recognized horses were highly intuitive and had even had moments with them that evidenced this, I had never once imagined that they knew more about me, than I knew about me. In fact, it was the other way around – I thought I knew more about them, than they knew about them.

Continue reading Equine Therapy: A Personal Experience, Part One, by Claire Dorotik, LMFT

NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #17, by Claire Dorotik

NO SECRET SO CLOSE is the story of a the most unthinkable betrayal humanly possible — at only 24 years old, Claire Dorotik’s father has been murdered, her mother arrested, and now, in a sinister twist of fate, Claire’s mother points the finger at Claire, accusing her of killing her own father. Battling the feelings of loss, abandonment, terror, and dissociation, and also learning about them, Claire struggles to stay in her master’s program for psychotherapy. However, when Claire’s brothers also betray her and side with her mother, Claire is left all alone to care for the 18 horses she and her mother owned. As the story unfolds, what is revealed is the horses’ amazing capacity for empathy in the face of human trauma, and the almost psychic ability to provide the author with what had been taken from her. Arising from these horrifying circumstances, the most unthinkable heroes — the horses — show Claire that life is still worth living.

Excerpt #17 from NO SECRET SO CLOSE:

When I entered the house, there was no warm smell. Only the faint odor of dog pee. My mother’s dog, Simone, hadn’t taken the news lightly. She was permanently planted on the couch. Her couch. She had done this before. Whenever my mom left her alone, she would retaliate. She’d claim the couch, and adorn it with whatever she wanted. Houseplants, her dog bowl, my mom’s underwear. Alex’s friends had tried to move her. But she snapped at them. Even though she wasn’t particularly a large dog, her bite was intimidating nonetheless. She was my mother’s negotiation. After years of breeding Irish Wolfhounds and discovering that an unmanaged pack of them became aggressive toward the neighbors pets, and even the foals a few times, she thought she should try something different. Simone was a Russian Wolfhound. They are lighter and supposedly more docile. Of course it wasn’t until the last of the Wolfhounds died, five small dogs and one foal with a slashed side later, that my mother thought it might be time for a change. One of those small dogs was mine. My little Rudy, a perfect little white Maltese that I’d got from a rescue. His previous owner had died, and I felt like I had won the lottery. I had always wanted a Maltese, but you never find them at the rescues. If you do, they don’t really look like a Maltese, and the rescues are just trying to pass them off as purebred to get them adopted. I had him only six months. But I should have never brought him home for Christmas with me. Merry Christmas. All I wanted was for my mom to stop the Wolfhounds from killing other dogs, or get rid of them. But my pleas, like many things, fell on deaf ears.

Continue reading NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #17, by Claire Dorotik

Equine Therapy: Healing from the Inside Out, by Claire Dorotik, MA

While a quick internet search reveals a litany of ways to treat mental illness, and especially trauma, the majority of these methods involve a significant cognitive component, which may not always be the most comfortable thing for a traumatized person to consider. To be sure, one of the strongest concerns of those clients with a traumatic history is having to re-experience what was overwhelming to them in order to feel better. And yet, many experts wonder, how else may they begin to have some reprieve from their symptoms?

But in order to begin the process of healing, trauma demands a comprehensive understanding, just as any other diagnosis would. That is to say that the effects of trauma on an individual are not just housed in the thoughts processes, but rather involve a physiological shift from what was a previous level of functioning. For the person who knows himself as a somewhat calm person who is able to contain himself/herself emotionally, this may mean now feeling quite out of control emotionally.

However, this may also mean having physiological symptoms that are not easily regulated. Imagine waking to a racing heartrate, shallow breathing, a full sweat, and poor orientation. These are just some of trauma’s physiological effects. And as much as the person who experiences this may want relief, talking about it may not resolve things.

Continue reading Equine Therapy: Healing from the Inside Out, by Claire Dorotik, MA

SAVE THE DATE – The Black Stallion Literacy Show

WHO:  The Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, Little Foundation, UKHealthcare Kentucky Children’s Hospital, Kentucky Bank, and Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.

WHAT:  Four thousand fourth graders from the Lexington and surrounding counties are currently reading Walter Farley’s book, “The Black Stallion,” through a partnership between the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and the Black Stallion Literacy Program.  Next, during a trip to the Kentucky Horse Park, the fourth graders will experience the book in a new way.  Notable scenes from the book will come to life as professional performers and horses from Arabian Nights (Orlando, Florida) will perform scenes from the childhood favorite and dazzle the audience with daredevil stunts in The Black Stallion Literacy Show.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 11, 12pm

WHERE: Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park

WHY:  The purpose is to inspire children to discover the joys of reading and the excitement of learning through the wonders of live horses and Walter Farley’s The Black Stallion books.

HOW:  Members of the media, please park in the designated Media Parking area at the Alltech Arena.  There will also be a press conference at 11am at the park regarding the Alltech National Horse Show, so please plan to attend both.

Cindy Rullman
859-259-4209
Cindy.Rullman@ky.gov

NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #16, by Claire Dorotik

NO SECRET SO CLOSE is the story of a the most unthinkable betrayal humanly possible — at only 24 years old, Claire Dorotik’s father has been murdered, her mother arrested, and now, in a sinister twist of fate, Claire’s mother points the finger at Claire, accusing her of killing her own father. Battling the feelings of loss, abandonment, terror, and dissociation, and also learning about them, Claire struggles to stay in her master’s program for psychotherapy. However, when Claire’s brothers also betray her and side with her mother, Claire is left all alone to care for the 18 horses she and her mother owned. As the story unfolds, what is revealed is the horses’ amazing capacity for empathy in the face of human trauma, and the almost psychic ability to provide the author with what had been taken from her. Arising from these horrifying circumstances, the most unthinkable heroes — the horses — show Claire that life is still worth living.

Excerpt #16 from NO SECRET SO CLOSE:

We approached the house in a tense silence. Inadvertently, I glanced at the stalls underneath. I had long since made a habit of averting my eyes from them, focusing instead on the stairs. They were just too eerie. The old wooden stairs creaked as we stepped up them simultaneously, as if, at any moment, they might give way, sending us plummeting down.

Reaching the deck overlooking the riding arena, I gazed out, wishing I could be out there.

“Come on, Claire,” Alex snapped, pulling the sliding glass door open.

I followed him into the living room. Our white leather couches seemed horribly out of place, their willfully modern elegance out of step with the stained, tattered outdoor carpeting and pale grey walls. My mother, two aunts, and uncle all sat on the largest couch; my younger brother and older brother’s two friends, who had come for support the day after he arrived, were gathered on the smaller couch. Everyone was on the edge of their seat, faces nervous and expectant. Alex walked directly to my father’s favorite chair facing the TV. Clearly, he wanted to get this over with. I perched myself on the ottoman, closest to the door.

Continue reading NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #16, by Claire Dorotik

Equine Therapy: Where Is It Published? by Claire Dorotik, MA

Although a quick internet search reveals many articles and descriptions of equine therapy, the actual research support for this fascinating experiential modality can be hard to find. This is one of the many reasons that using horses as a therapeutic modality has been criticized. While naysayers have contended that there is no empirical evidence for the efficacy of equine therapy, much of difficulty in refuting this claim comes from the fact that the evidence can be hard to find.

Yet, the truth is, research studies of equine therapy have been published in seven different peer reviewed journals, both nationally and internationally. And these publications are not only specific to animal assisted therapy, but devoted to the understanding of mental health. Let’s take a look at the list:

EAGALA Model specific

Schultz, P., Remick-Barlow, G., & Robbins, L. (2007). Equine-assisted psychotherapy: A mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced intra-family violence. Health & Social Care in the Community 15(3), 265-271.

Trotter, K., Chandler, C., Goodwin-Bond, D., & Casey, J. (2008).  A comparative study of the efficacy of group equine assisted counseling with at-risk children and adolescents.  Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, Vol. 3(3), 254-284.

General Equine Assisted Psychotherapy services (other models utilized or not model specific)

Frewin, K. & Gardiner, B. (2005).  New age or old sage? A review of equine assisted psychotherapy. The Australian Journal of Counselling Psychology, 6, pp13-17.

Kaiser, L., Spence, L. J., Lavergne, A. G., & Bosch, K. L. (2004). Can a week of therapeutic riding make a difference? A pilot study. Anthrozoos, 17, 63-72.

Klontz, B. T., Bivens, A., Leinart, D. & Klontz, T. (2007).  The effectiveness of equine-assisted experiential therapy: Results of an open clinical trial.  Society and Animals, 15 (2007), 257-267.

Scheidhacker, M., Friedrich, D., & Bender, W. (2002). About the treatment of anxiety disorders by psychotherapeutic riding: Long term observations and results of an experimental clinical study. Krankenhauspsychiatrie, 13, 145-152.

Zugich, M., Klontz, T., & Leinart, D. (2002).  The miracle of equine therapy.  Counselor Magazine, 3(6), 22-27.

It is important to understand that equine therapy, like any other relatively nascent therapeutic intervention, should be held to the same standards as every other form of clinical treatment. Yet, those in the mental health field do often rely heavily on both empirical evidence and case studies when making treatment decisions. And while there is no shortage of anecdotal support for the therapeutic value of work with horses, it is comforting to know that there is also sound clinical support for this line of work.

Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Presents “A Celebration of the Arabian Horse”, April 23, 2011 at 6:30 PM

6:30 pm – Performance by Hall of Fame Kristin Hardin jumping, National Champion Kit Hall western roping and reining, National Champion dressage, and performances by the Gold Coast Arabian HC horses and riders

7:00 pm – Cocktail Reception

7:30 pm – Film Premiere – “A Gift from the Desert: The Arabian Horse”

A soaring panorama of the horse that began in Arabia and went on to create Empires and champions today in every category.

Filmed on location in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Great Britain, Kentucky, California with the Saudi Equestrian riders, the Royal Oman Cavalry, National Jumping Champion, National Dressage Champion, National Working Cowhorse Champion

Written and Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jo Franklin. Named “One of the Top 100 Film Producers” in the US by Millimeter Magazine. Ms. Franklin is a rider and breeder of Arabian horses and a member of the Arabian Horse Association, the Pyramid Society and the World Arabian Horse Organization.

Order tickets online at www.celebratearabianhorse.com.

Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC
14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL 33414
561-793-5867 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)

NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #15, by Claire Dorotik

NO SECRET SO CLOSE is the story of a the most unthinkable betrayal humanly possible — at only 24 years old, Claire Dorotik’s father has been murdered, her mother arrested, and now, in a sinister twist of fate, Claire’s mother points the finger at Claire, accusing her of killing her own father. Battling the feelings of loss, abandonment, terror, and dissociation, and also learning about them, Claire struggles to stay in her master’s program for psychotherapy. However, when Claire’s brothers also betray her and side with her mother, Claire is left all alone to care for the 18 horses she and her mother owned. As the story unfolds, what is revealed is the horses’ amazing capacity for empathy in the face of human trauma, and the almost psychic ability to provide the author with what had been taken from her. Arising from these horrifying circumstances, the most unthinkable heroes — the horses — show Claire that life is still worth living.

Excerpt #15 from NO SECRET SO CLOSE:

I looked behind me — what the hell is spooking you? But there was nothing there. Kiaz was looking right at me. “It’s just me, pal.” I kept my hand out and stepped toward him again.

He backed up and snorted again.

I held the halter out toward him. “Come on– I just want to put the halter on. What’s wrong? It’s just me, pal!”

His eyes fixed on me, it was clear he wasn’t going to let me near him.

Continue reading NO SECRET SO CLOSE excerpt #15, by Claire Dorotik

Equine Therapy: A Potful of Projections, by Claire Dorotik, MA

“In my experience, horses don’t want anything to do with people.” “All horses want to do is eat all the time.” “There is no way horses can tell what is going on with people.” These are just a few of the criticisms the field of equine therapy has encountered over the years. And these have come, despite the tremendous growth, and recent research supporting the use of horses as a therapeutic modality. However, no new treatment, therapy or method is without its growing pains, and what is unique about equine therapy is that horses are typically outside of the realm of understanding of most people.

Although horses have been a very integral part of our society, and have represented many things to man, the understanding of them has always been a subject of debate. From the early “break the spirit” methods to the now more popular “natural horsemanship” movement, discussing horse training is like discussing politics — everybody has their own opinions.

Yet while this can often lead to festive argument, it does not denote an understanding of the horse. After all, the horse is a herd animal, and our common observation of them does not involve the perspective of their natural environment. As an example, the belief that horses want nothing to do with people, and when placed in a corral with them, prefer to isolate, is not supported by any cases of equine isolation in the wild. Quite the contrary, horses avoid isolating at all costs, and instead it is used as a form of reprimand. Another misunderstanding is that horses — prey animals — have premeditated behavior. Again, horses being ruled primarily through the limbic system are, for the most part, instinctive and reflexive in their actions. They do not “plan” in the sense that we do; instead they react to stimuli in their environment, such as threats of harm, dominant or aggressive behavior from another horse, and maternal instinct.

Continue reading Equine Therapy: A Potful of Projections, by Claire Dorotik, MA

New Young Adult Novel Features Maryland, Unwanted Horse Challenge

Bowie, MD author tells the story of a young girl motivated to save horses

BOWIE, MD – (Mythic Landing) – A new young adult novel by Valerie Ormond highlights the Maryland equestrian community, military family life, and the plight of unwanted horses. Through the story of Sadie, a 12-year-old horse lover, and her tri-color Pinto, Lucky, Ormond takes readers through a tale of heartbreak, determination and love.

“Believing in Horses,” from J. B. Max Publishing, is Ormond’s debut novel. A career Naval Intelligence Officer, she decided to combine her love of horses and writing with her first book. Ormond and her family live in Maryland, which serves as the backdrop for Sadie’s story. The story begins with Sadie’s move to Bowie and her dad’s deployment to Afghanistan.

Throughout “Believing in Horses,” Ormond draws on first-hand knowledge of Maryland horse rescues. Freedom Hill Horse Rescue in Calvert County and Thoroughbred Placement and Rescue in Prince George’s County worked with Ormond to give the book a realistic feel.

Continue reading New Young Adult Novel Features Maryland, Unwanted Horse Challenge