This Therapy  Works!  by Scott Heard  COTA/L

If anyone would have asked me 10 years ago, "What is 'Hippotherapy'?", I most likely would have given a comical reply, such as, "Sounds like therapy for a hippopotamus!"  For those of you reading this that are not familiar with what "Hippotherapy" is, it is simply the use of movement provided by a well trained horse as a treatment modality used by Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists. 

In addition to the wealth of knowledge I've gained while working at Hability and Great Strides Therapy Stables (GSTS), I was fortunate enough to attend the Level One Equine Skills & Hippotherapy Treatment Principles workshop held in Colorado Springs, CO.   From basic handling and safety skills to learning how to identify the behavior of a horse, equipment needs, etc.; all of the information provided in this training was useful and necessary to effectively provide hippotherapy services.  We also practiced treatment sessions and how to efficiently match the right horse to help the patient meet their goals.  I was not alone during this portion of the training and had the opportunity to share this experience with Becky Pearson, PT student, who also attended the course.  All of the therapists at Hability have achieved North American Riding for the Handicapped (NARHA) and American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) certification to use this highly skilled therapy modality.

Becky just completed a portion of her clinical training with Hability.  She will be returning in the fall to work with Hability as a Physical Therapist.  Becky has a great deal of knowledge and experience with horses and with physical therapy, having competed in barrel racing and working for several years as a PTA before returning to PT school.  In a nutshell, I'd like to add what I believe is the single-most important thing about Hippotherapy:  It really works. I would personally like to thank everyone at Hability for giving me the opportunity to be a part of something I truly believe in. For more information on how Hability and Great Strides Therapy Stables can help, log on to our website at www.habsol.com.