"It's thought that horses can reflect the internal emotions of the patient," said Marci Jennings, MU Extension equine specialist and one of the program organizers. "If a person is stressed, the horse can read and reflect that emotion back. The idea is that if you can get the patient to see and work on the emotion, it can be overcome."

The MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources' Division of Animal Sciences and the MU Sinclair School of Nursing have teamed to host the program, which consists of a demonstration and two presentations. Attendance is free, but those interested in intending must RSVP due to space limits.

"Working with horses is an innovative approach to therapy," said Jane Armer, professor in the MU School of Nursing and fellow program organizer. "It helps people learn how to deal with unexpected situations, which cancer can present, and has been very effective for cancer patients. It lets them regain some lost control."

Schwartz, who holds the Scottsdale Healthcare Chair of Nursing Research at Arizona State University, works with cancer survivors in her own equine therapy practice. She will demonstrate use of equine therapy methods with breast cancer survivors on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the MU Trowbridge Livestock Center. A dinner lecture will follow at 6 p.m. at Jack's Gourmet Restaurant, 1900 Business Loop 70 East, Columbia.

"During the demonstration, Dr. Schwartz and participants will work through a therapy session in the arena of Trowbridge with loose horses," Jennings said. "They will have to catch these horses, groom them and do general ground work. They'll also be working through a verbal therapy session." The MU Division of Animal Sciences is supplying the horses.

At the dinner lecture, Schwartz will explain the science behind equine therapy for cancer survivors and possible expected outcomes, Armer said.

On Monday, Sept. 22, Schwartz will lead an oncology grand rounds lunch lecture on "Activity and Fatigue Among Cancer Survivors," 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Acuff Auditorium in the MU Health Sciences Center. "This is where people come from all disciplines for a presentation," Armer said. "Monday's talk is more broadly on activity in cancer survivorship rather than only equine therapy."

Program organizers hope the event will foster local interest in starting an ongoing equine therapy program for cancer survivors. "We have received some resources, including sponsorship for the lectureship from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization's mid-Missouri affiliate, but we hope that there will be enough community interest among survivors, family and the public to start a similar program in mid-Missouri," Armer said.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Melanie Schneider at mksg28@mizzou.edu or 573-884-3249.