Abstract

Nowadays, "fragile adolescents" require more appropriate and innovative responses to better understand the emotional-behavioral flow that characterizes their developmental process. "Santa Giuliana" Hospital, which is recognized as a Regional Reference Center for Psychiatric Therapy activities, has adopted among its various rehabilitative areas, Animal Assisted Interventions (pet therapy). The experience has been refined by new models and different contributions on the therapeutic-rehabilitation and psycho-social levels. The young person in difficulty is offered a personalized path aimed at activating task engagement and new relational awareness. Action is always mediated by thought and the succession of encounters becomes the development of a story of self for the composition of a process of understanding and change. During the experience the work proceeds gradually, the equestrian technique is aimed at intercepting those areas of thought that are difficult to narrate. The ethological and emotional characteristics of the horse, are able to facilitate, catalyze or remodel the various dysfunctional behaviors.