What is Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy treatment sessions that are conducted in the equine environment utilize the unique and highly effective movement of the horse as part of a treatment plan to improve neuromusculoskeletal, social-emotional, and cognitive skills. These individual therapy sessions may be reimbursable by insurance.
Why Horses in Occupational Therapy?
The history of the close relationship between horses and humans is a fascinating one. We have depended on them for centuries for farming, building infrastructure, delivery of mail and goods, for transportation and of course throughout wartime. People have ridden them for sport, cheered them on during races, and now more than ever are recognized as a part of therapeutic treatment strategy.
The evidence on the benefits of horses in therapy is well documented in scientific literature and their unique characteristics can be utilized for outstanding outcomes for neurological, musculoskeletal conditions, mental health and cognitive areas.
How Can Occupational Therapy Help You?
Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability. -- American Occupational Therapy Association
Treatment aims to address impairments or limitations in physical, cognitive or psychological/emotional and social functioning.
Occupational Therapy treatment sessions that are conducted in the equine environment utilize the unique and highly effective movement of the horse as part of a treatment plan to improve neuromusculoskeletal, social-emotional, and cognitive skills. These individual therapy sessions may be reimbursable by insurance.
Why Horses in Occupational Therapy?
The history of the close relationship between horses and humans is a fascinating one. We have depended on them for centuries for farming, building infrastructure, delivery of mail and goods, for transportation and of course throughout wartime. People have ridden them for sport, cheered them on during races, and now more than ever are recognized as a part of therapeutic treatment strategy.
The evidence on the benefits of horses in therapy is well documented in scientific literature and their unique characteristics can be utilized for outstanding outcomes for neurological, musculoskeletal conditions, mental health and cognitive areas.
How Can Occupational Therapy Help You?
Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability. -- American Occupational Therapy Association
Treatment aims to address impairments or limitations in physical, cognitive or psychological/emotional and social functioning.
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For Children and Teens
Occupational Therapy for children and teens typically includes treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, cerebral palsy, sensory processing disorder, trauma, TBI, genetic syndromes, and mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and trauma. With today’s change in the school and learning environment, a new set of challenges has arisen. Occupational Therapy helps children, in collaboration with their families and teachers adapt to this new model of education. Helping children adjust to prolonged screen time, social isolation, new learning environments, while acknowledging individual learning styles is crucial to a child's success. |
For Adults
Occupational Therapy offers treatment for adults for many of the same conditions. Additionally treatment is often referred for Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Chronic Pain conditions such as Fibromyalgia. Occupational Therapists may also treat cognitive deficits such as dementia and mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, PTSD and bipolar disorder. OT works with people struggling with cancer, ADHD, and caregiver fatigue. We are seeing the negative ramifications of a deadly pandemic on our and mental and physical and spiritual health. There is stress due to racial injustice. The serious impact of these long term and pervasive stressors can not be underestimated, and if you are struggling, you are not alone. We can help in a supportive, compassionate and safe environment. |
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Cognitive/Emotional/
Psychosocial Occupational Therapy has it's early roots in psychiatric settings , and has a rich history of providing treatment in these realms based on restoration and development of healthy emotional/behavioral/cognitive patterns to improve successful interaction with others and within our ever changing environment. In the horse environment, the special qualities of the horse, and the needs of the client are combined in a synergistic approach to address deficit areas including attention span, problem solving, sequencing, emotional regulation, and social skills. Horses do not make assumptions, and they do not pre-judge us. As prey animals, they are wired to survive. They must react and respond to environmental changes in an instant, and must do so within the social structure of a herd. They have a highly evolved sensory system, being highly observant and must live in the moment. As such horses provide responses to humans based on what we present to them at any given moment. Their feedback provides opportunities to learn and gain insight into our behaviors, emotions and communication styles, increasing self awareness. Adjustments will in turn change the horse's response to us. If we are angry or aggressive, a horse will be afraid, If we are frustrated they might shut down and ignore us. Activities performed both off and on the horse provides limitless opportunities to improve these skills which generalize to every day life. The Occupational Therapist facilitates activities that builds confidence, self worth, joy, purpose and hope. |
Physical, Neuromuscular and Sensory Systems
Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapists are exclusively licensed to provide what is known as Hippotherapy. Hippotherapy (Hippo is Greek for horses) is a treatment strategy, which utilizes the rhythmic movement of the horse to facilitate improvements in balance, coordination, sensory regulation and strengthening. The Occupational Therapist engages the client in tasks both on and off the horse to address these areas, including fine motor skill with the use of various brushes during grooming tasks and gross motor skill during riding tasks, such as coordinated use of upper and lower extremity to cause a horse to change direction. For sensory regulation, the movement of the horse, and position of the client is modified frequently for the purpose of delivering the desired input in order to elicit adaptive responses. |
Individual OT Sessions are Fee for Service. A Superbill is provided which can be submitted to your insurance company and may be reimbursable.