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WHDL - 00021580

CHILDREN (7-13 YEARS) AND EMPATHETIC EQUINE CONTACT AND HOW THIS MAY FACILITATE SPIRITUAL AWARENESS OF GOD, OTHERS AND THEMSELVES: A CONSTRUCTIVIST INTERPRETIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL EXPLORATORY STUDY

Maryan Joy Rose Piano

Resource Types

Academic (Thesis, Dissertation, Etc.)

Resource Languages

English

Institutional Repository

Description / Abstract

This study investigates the impact of equine contact on the development of spiritual awareness (relational consciousness) in children to see how wholeness of experience and connectedness might make a difference. Using a multi-qualitative approach incorporating empathetic equine contact, questionnaires with encouragement to express creatively, together with focus group discussions and individual conversations and observation, the research examines children’s lived experiences with horses to understand how such interactions may encourage spiritual awareness, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-reliance, and self-efficacy and resilience and transcendence of difficulties to be able to rise above, to use challenges positively for themselves and others. The theoretical framework of relational consciousness (Hay and Nye 2006, 109) guides the analysis, looking at how equine contact may foster children’s spiritual awareness. Key themes that emerged include: the actual and potential of overcoming fear, both natural and evolutionary fear and anxiety-based disorders, as a result of equine contact; the positive outcomes from being with horses, that is, learning how to communicate with a powerful and potentially dangerous animal using non-verbal methods; the closeness of relationships between human and horse and also the closeness of relationships between humans which emerge as a result of being together with horses; the comforting and sensitive nature of horses and their potential to build confidence; and a strong sense of spiritual connection with horses. The findings suggest that equine contact could nurture children’s spirituality and holistic development, though more research is needed to definitively establish causal links. This study contributes to understanding how regular, guided interactions with horses may offer a pathway for fostering spiritual growth in young individuals and how other animal-assisted activities may support children’s wellbeing and spiritual growth. These findings have implications for child development programmes, spiritual education, and animal-assisted therapies.

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Publish Year: 2025

Subject Index

KeywordsEquine contact, Animals (horses) and children, Children spirituality, Relational Consciousness theory,

Degree AwardedDoctor of Philosophy in Holistic Child Development

Awarding InstitutionAsia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary

Committee MembersNativity A. Petallar, Romerlito Macalinao, Blesilda Rios, Erlie Sagud, David Ackerman

Supervisor or ChairGlenn Miles

Peer Reviewed?No

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Collections With This Resource

Dissertations in Holistic Child Development

17 Resources

Religion - Christianity
Social and Behavioral Sciences

English

This collection contains the dissertations of our graduates that fulfilled the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Holistic Child Development at Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary. The program is designed for those preparing to be equipped in leadership, teachers of children, practitioners, and pastors, so that they will have the gifts, skills, and capacity to care holistically for children inside and outside the church.