Equine assisted activity (EAA) is gaining international attention for its potential to deliver positive outcomes to adults and adolescents, as well as, for mental health clients and those with complex social problems. However, no definitive conclusions as to the beneficial effects of EAA on horses and humans has been established due to the variety of methods utilized and the complexity of the question. The objectives are to 1) quantify the impact of equine interaction on human and animal physiological responses along with qualitative self-reported reactions and observations, 2) adapt and apply novel technologies for measurement of online brain wave data and extrapolate to emotional states in humans and equines, and 3) establish recommendations that may be optimized for EAA to improve patient outcomes. We hypothesize that if this interaction is measured and quantified in real time, it could be translated by the equine specialist and analyzed by the therapist to improve human therapy while maximizing health and longevity of the therapy horse.