The impact of equine-assisted therapy on the emotional state of Ukrainian combatants with PTSD

Abstract

The criminal war of Muscovy against Ukraine traumatises the psyche by violent alienation from humanity, primarily by the total barbaric destruction of the fundamental principles of solidarity of citizens and the basic conditions of mental health of individuals and society – security of existence, justice, and freedom. The most destructive reactions to such alienation are the frustration of hopelessness and “compensatory violence” (E. Fromm). However, in our sacred war against the rabid Muscovy, such reactions are powerfully counteracted by the real prospect of a reliable restoration of these principles in the future. Therefore, Ukraine will defend goodness and humanity from universal evil with the help of the entire progressive, freedom-loving world. At the same time, our experience of providing psychological assistance to those Ukrainian veterans who have pathogenic consequences of mental trauma shows that the most prominent symptoms of their anamneses are negatively coloured emotional experiences of the depressive spectrum. They usually significantly weaken, if not nullify, the subject’s interest in their present and future life and their ability to enjoy everyday life and show proper performance (S. Freud). Therefore, the fundamental condition for psychotherapy and psychological rehabilitation of people with such pathogenic consequences of psychotrauma is the restoration and strengthening of their healthy interest in life. The interests of a person, which fill him or her with vital inspiration and are nourished by it, are integrated into the sense of self-realisation. The life-giving meaning is a prerequisite and a leading factor in the normal formation, functioning, development and mental health of a personality (V. Frankl), where interest and engagement are some of the original emotions (C. Izard). The fundamental source of a person’s interest in life or in something/someone is the emotional state of interest. It is significant that the results of this study revealed the effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy in restoring and strengthening the emotional basis of this interest and showed an increase in the vitality of those Ukrainian war veterans who suffered mental trauma. The conceptual foundations and the main content of the procedure and achievements of this work are highlighted. The main motivational power of the persons with whom such work is carried out is the pleasure (emotions of joy, fun, interest, states of joyful elation, pleasant relaxation) from direct contact and joint (synergistic) activity with the horse, and therefore sincere gratitude and affection for it, which is manifested in constant care. In our experience, logotherapy dialogues have been able to enhance and stabilise this sanitising emotional effect, based on the indisputable fact that Ukrainian combatants are warriors of Light and Goodness, affirming the highest humanistic values and existential meanings, defending Ukraine and the whole world from universal evil, the embodiment and carrier of which has always been the vile Muscovy.