Poughkeepsie Journal

HEALTHY LIVING

The Diet Detective 2 Health & Fitness File 3 Parenting advice 7,8

BODY • MIND • SPIRIT

EDITOR 845-437-4818 lhlavaty@poughkeepsiejournal.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2005

Horses

Children respond to therapy

By Karen Orioff

For the Poughkeepsie Journal

L ast summer, Megan Allen took her daughter, Kelsey, to The Southlands Foundation, a non-profit riding/boarding facility in Rhinebeck, to participate in a program called A Horse Connection. Once a week, for about an hour, Kelsey would learn to groom, mount and ride a horse.

To the average person, this might look like just another child getting a riding lesson. But for Kelsey, now 12, it was so much more.

That's because Kelsey is severely autistic. She does not talk, and is not normally responsive to others. But since her involvement in A Horse Connection, she has shown remarkable progress.

"I've seen a lot of improvement," Allen said. "It has helped with eye contact and socialization. I see her connect with people."

A Horse Connection is one of a growing number of "equine-assisted therapy" programs that combine therapeutic horse riding — which teaches riding skills and encourages patients to bond with and care for the animals — with "hip-potherapy," derived from the Greek word for horse, which utilizes the horse's physical movements to help the patient regain mobility and coordination.

"During hippotherapy, you are mounted on the horse. The horse's movement mimics human pelvic movements during walking," said Nancy King, director of A Horse Connection and an occupational therapist at the Anderson School for devel-opmentally disabled children in Staatsburg. "So this is great for those with limited mobility. It gives them the freedom to move."

A long history

Equine-assisted therapy has been traced to ancient times and in recent years has been extremely popular in Europe. But in the United States, if s just starting to take off, said King, who said she felt there was a strong need for a program in the Hudson Valley, because it can help so many types of disabilities.

"There are very few diagnoses that you can't do this (therapy) with," King said. "It can help with autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury and mental health conditions."

So King, along with her assistant at Anderson, Randi Carlson, started looking for a suitable site for a program. They found it at Southlands, where they

__________________

Holley Meister/For the Poughkeepsie Journal

Seven-year-old Robyn Cole of Walden thanks Martha the horse as they finish up an equine therapy session at Southlands in Rhinebeck. Nancy King, an occupational therapist and director of A Horse Connection, holds on to Martha.

Gentle animals make connection

Picking the right type of horse for a specific patient is crucial to the success of equine therapy.

"Making the right match between the horse and patient is based on a number of factors," said Nancy King of A Horse Connection, which operates from Southlands Foundation in Rhinebeck. "For all our clients, the horse's 'horsenality' must be one that is gentle, not afraid of sudden movements either from the environment, therapy team or the patient atop the horse. We look for a horse that has a willing attitude, that is physically and emotionally healthy. We choose horses that like to be in the company of people.

"We look to see that

the horse has a healthy back, a steady rhythmic walk and trot and mat has good energy, while being calm. After that, the height and weight of the patient will influence which horse is selected for each individual. Each horse has unique qualities and shapes. We seek a horse that is comfortable for that patient. If you wanted to increase the energy of a patient, you might want a horse with a gait that has a lot of movement to it. For someone with sensory dysfunction who is highly distracted, it may be wise to select the horse with a very smooth movement But there is no absolute recipe," King said.

— Karen Orioff

Holley Meister/For the Poughkeepsie Journal

Seven-year-old Anthony Wragge of Orange County gives Martha the "co-therapist" a hug during an equine-assisted therapy session at Southlands Foundation in Rhinebeck. Wragge has developmental disabilities.

' There was eye contact, socialization, hugs and kisses ... That was when the magic stalled.'

Megan Allen

about her daughter's success with equine therapy

piqued director Colleen Cruikshank's interest.

The result was a pilot program, in conjunction with the Anderson School, for students with autism and other developmental disabilities. And that program was a great success, King said.

"Many of the kids improved and blossomed that summer," remembered Allen, whose daughter took part in the program. "Once they bonded with the animals, the results were pretty quick. There was eye contact, socialization, hugs and kisses; they allowed themselves to be touched. That was when the magic started."

Part of that magic has to do with this particular type of therapy's setting — the great outdoors.

"Even though it's clinical, you are not in a clinical setting," King said. "It's amazing what you can accomplish in this environment."

'They light up'

MaryEllen Monteiro, a physical therapist registered with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, agreed.

"Children are happy to come. They light up when they see the horse. They don't realize they are getting therapy. They are happy to go to the barn and touch the horse," said Monteiro, who also works with A Horse Connection. "It's rewarding to me because the children seem to enjoy themselves more than in the traditional settings."

Even children who have never been on a horse before seem to take to this therapy.

Geri Garfinkle's 8-year-old nephew, who is autistic, had never been riding. But when Garfinkle took him to one of Nancy King's sessions, she saw an immediate change in the boy.

"He made a really nice connection with Nancy as a therapist," Garfinkle said. "He was easily engaged in going on the horse and mastered all the skills Nancy wanted^ him to. He was following directions and was interested in what he was doing. I thought it was pretty amazing."

Sometimes the changes in an autistic child will be more gradual.

"Usually, the small changes we see immediately after a session add up in the long run to bigger changes," said Jaime Phillips, public relations/marketing representative from Winslow Therapeutic Center in Warwick, which offers therapeutic riding, hippotherapy

Please see Therapy, 2F

Resources

■ A Horse Connection, sessions at the Southlands Foundation, 121 Route 9 South, Rhinebeck; 845-417-4646; www.ahorseconnection.com or www.southlands.org

■ Winslow Therapeutic Center, 328 Route 17A, Warwick, NY. 845-986-6688; www.winstow.org,

■ We Will Ride Therapeutic Riding, 134 Woodcock Knoll, Cross River, Westchester County. 1-914-763-6805

■ Phoenix Therapeutic Riding, Borderland Farm, Route 94, Warwick, NY/Vernon, NJ border. 845-986-1704; 1-973-764-8996

■ Heritage Riding for the Handicapped, Goshen, NY. 845-294-9339

■ Capitol Area Therapeutic Riding Association: www.catra.net

■ North American Riding for the Handicapped Association: www.narha.org

■ Strides Therapeutic Riding: www.strides.org

Animals bond with kids

Healthy Living, 1F

SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2005 POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL

Therapy: Horses facilitate changes

How a typical session works

Equine therapy patients generally go for therapy one or twice a week, with sessions lasting from 45 minutes to an hour. Nancy King, director of A Horse Connection in Rhinebeck, details a typical session:

"We have approximately 10-15 minutes for greeting and grooming time. The next 30 minutes is generally used for leading the horse around, mounting and the hip-potherapy (atop the horse) portion of the session. Within that time, we encourage quiet time for several minutes, so the horse and client have an opportunity to experience each other and allow the natural movement of the horse to facilitate postural changes, balance and coordination.

"Then we move into a more active phase of interactive activities. This may involve tasks such as having the client move through position changes for motor planning and strengthening. We'll move into creative games/activities that are designed to work on an individual's goals, such as fine motor grasp. Let's consider someone with a stroke. If they have memory or sequencing impairment, we may work on cognitive areas by reviewing the horse's name, color, breed, what they eat and what they did in prior sessions.

"Then for the last few minutes, we wind down and return to the quiet period. This, once again, puts the horse and rider really in sync with each other and can be very calming and can be profoundly emotional. The client and horse have accomplished a lot together and they get a chance to build on that emotional/psychological component

"The final 10-15 minutes is used for dismounting, interaction with the horse, petting, talking, removing equipment, feeding treats, or whatever is appropriate for that client." ♦

— Karen Orloff

Continued from 1F

and equine-facilitated psychotherapy.

"A child who cannot focus and is hyperactive, can become calm and less agitated," Phillips said. "Another child may become more energetic and 'perk up' from the stimulation of trotting and moving."

Like any alternative treatment, equine therapy is most successful when it is part of an overall medical plan. Therapists from both Winslow and A Horse Connection must get consent from a patient's physician before proceeding. This is essential, King said, because a physical therapist must be aware of any medications or specific problems.

"For example," she said, "if someone has severe seizure disorders, we would consider equine-assisted activities for them, but not atop a horse."

Doctors, in general, are supportive, King said.

"We have not experienced any resistance from physicians, especially if they've had patients who have participated in these programs. Because of its popularity, more and more physicians will actually suggest this for their clients, when it is appropriate."

But there may not be enough programs to meet the need. Last year's pilot program, funded through the Anderson School, is in danger of not continuing because of a lack of funds — although parents are generating fundraising activities.

King is still able to offer her program to members of the community and is adamant about keeping it alive.

Holley Meister/For the Poughkeepsie Journal

After hiding toys under various cones throughout the ring at Southlands in Rhinebeck, Anthony Wragge, 7, tries to remember where they were hidden. Here, occupational therapist Nancy King, left, Wragge, Martha the horse, and Randi Carlson, an occupational therapist assistant, find a ball hidden under one of the cones.

"It's moving to see changes occur. There's a special bond between people and horses," she said. "Horses can be amazingly sensitive, kind creatures."

Not to mention helpful. As

Carlson, King's assistant, puts it, "Of all the traditional therapies I've used, this has demonstrated the most dramatic and positive feedback, from the patients and their families."




			Animals bond with kids Healthy Living, 1F



SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2005 POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL

Therapy: Horses facilitate changes				How a typical session works Equine therapy patients generally go for therapy one or twice a week, with sessions lasting from 45 minutes to an hour. Nancy King, director of A Horse Connection in Rhinebeck, details a typical session: "We have approximately 10-15 minutes for greeting and grooming time. The next 30 minutes is generally used for leading the horse around, mounting and the hip-potherapy (atop the horse) portion of the session. Within that time, we encourage quiet time for several minutes, so the horse and client have an opportunity to experience each other and allow the natural movement of the horse to facilitate postural changes, balance and coordination. "Then we move into a more active phase of interactive activities. This may involve tasks such as having the client move through position changes for motor planning and strengthening. We'll move into creative games/activities that are designed to work on an individual's goals, such as fine motor grasp. Let's consider someone with a stroke. If they have memory or sequencing impairment, we may work on cognitive areas by reviewing the horse's name, color, breed, what they eat and what they did in prior sessions. "Then for the last few minutes, we wind down and return to the quiet period. This, once again, puts the horse and rider really in sync with each other and can be very calming and can be profoundly emotional. The client and horse have accomplished a lot together and they get a chance to build on that emotional/psychological component "The final 10-15 minutes is used for dismounting, interaction with the horse, petting, talking, removing equipment, feeding treats, or whatever is appropriate for that client." ♦ — Karen Orloff
Continued from 1F and equine-facilitated psychotherapy. "A child who cannot focus and is hyperactive, can become calm and less agitated," Phillips said. "Another child may become more energetic and 'perk up' from the stimulation of trotting and moving." Like any alternative treatment, equine therapy is most successful when it is part of an overall medical plan. Therapists from both Winslow and A Horse Connection must get consent from a patient's physician before proceeding. This is essential, King said, because a physical therapist must be aware of any medications or specific problems. "For example," she said, "if someone has severe seizure disorders, we would consider equine-assisted activities for them, but not atop a horse." Doctors, in general, are supportive, King said. "We have not experienced any resistance from physicians, especially if they've had patients who have participated in these programs. Because of its popularity, more and more physicians will actually suggest this for their clients, when it is appropriate." But there may not be enough programs to meet the need. Last year's pilot program, funded through the Anderson School, is in danger of not continuing because of a lack of funds — although parents are generating fundraising activities. King is still able to offer her program to members of the community and is adamant about keeping it alive.
	Holley Meister/For the Poughkeepsie Journal
	After hiding toys under various cones throughout the ring at Southlands in Rhinebeck, Anthony Wragge, 7, tries to remember where they were hidden. Here, occupational therapist Nancy King, left, Wragge, Martha the horse, and Randi Carlson, an occupational therapist assistant, find a ball hidden under one of the cones.
	"It's moving to see changes occur. There's a special bond between people and horses," she said. "Horses can be amazingly sensitive, kind creatures." Not to mention helpful. As	Carlson, King's assistant, puts it, "Of all the traditional therapies I've used, this has demonstrated the most dramatic and positive feedback, from the patients and their families."