Caiti Peters is an assistant professor in the Colorado State University departments of Animal Sciences and Occupational Therapy, and she serves as the director of research for the Temple Grandin Equine Center.  

She studies equine-assisted services, particularly the efficacy of integrating horses into occupational therapy for autistic youth. Peters’ research aims to help improve the services of the 800 centers across the U.S. that provide equine-assisted services to people with a variety of disabilities.  

Thus far, her research has found that integrating horses into occupational therapy can improve self-regulation and social outcomes for children with autism.  

Peters earned her Ph.D. in rehabilitation science at CSU, and her research has been featured in publications including Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Frontiers in Pediatrics and the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.