Date
5-20-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision (PhD)
Chair
Stacey Lilley
Keywords
equine assisted services, qualitative case study, intra-organizational perspective, equine welfare, needs-based programs, collaboration, accreditation
Disciplines
Counseling
Recommended Citation
Gray, Erica Lynn, "A Qualitative Case Study of Equine Assisted Services at Healing Strides Facility" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8379.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8379
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative case study is to portray how a well-run facility conducting equine assisted services works from an intra-organizational perspective. It is a bounded qualitative case study that focuses on the equine assisted services provided, the program and services designed and the rationale for choosing those programs, how services are operationalized and facilitated by practitioners, how equine welfare is considered, and the experiences and perspectives of those participating in the organization, development, or facilitation of equine assisted services at Healing Strides. This study uses Robert K. Yin’s theory driven methodological approach to qualitative case studies that focuses on pattern matching and provides specific theoretical propositions that support the themes found through analyzing the data. The data consisted of thirteen semi-structured interviews with people working in different roles at Healing Strides and was triangulated by document analysis, and both direct and participant observation. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thoroughly analyzed. The original theoretical proposition that Healing Strides would provide an example of a well-run equine assisted services facility was foundational to the research questions and analysis of the data and five emergent themes were further supported by five theoretical propositions. Whereas other literature focuses on the effectiveness of equine assisted services in different populations, this study contributes to the literature by providing an internal look at the structural organization required to keep these services. It also discusses their alignment with accrediting bodies.
