The Mechanics of Change

Join Dr. Esther Adams as she explores the science of how animal-assisted therapy changes behavior. This episode breaks down the core principles of Learning Theory, from positive reinforcement to the power of immediate, unfiltered feedback from animals. Discover how the "behavioral synchrony" with a horse can create a sophisticated feedback loop, allowing clients to modify their actions and learn new adaptive skills in real time. This is a deep dive into the proven behavioral mechanisms that form the foundation of effective animal-assisted psychotherapy.