Dr. Erika Berg, a professor of animal science at North Dakota State University, is studying the therapeutic benefits of horses. Dr. Erika Berg received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Science from Purdue University. She earned her Ph.D. with a focus on equine metabolic pathophysiology from the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri. Dr. Berg became involved in the field of equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) as an undergraduate and has continued to pursue this area of interest throughout her career. Dr. Berg holds her Advanced Level Instructor certification through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) and serves as a PATH Intl. Faculty Evaluator and PATH Intl. State Chair of North Dakota. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at North Dakota State University where she oversees the interdisciplinary minor in Therapeutic Horsemanship. Dr. Berg’s developing research program focuses on how horse and human interactions affect both equine and human participants. She is currently investigating the effects of an equine assisted psychotherapy program for at-risk youth in a residential child care facility and evaluating stress behaviors in therapy horses.

The impact of therapeutic horsemanship on equine and human participants. Maternal factors affecting equine neonatal physiology.