““Hippotherapy has made an amazing difference in my son’s strength and abilities. Not to mention it puts a smile on his face each week.””
Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy is a mounted activity utilizing the movement of the horse and is implemented by a Physical Therapist (PT), Occupational Therapist (OT), or Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). The participant receiving individualized treatment is not learning riding skills, but is gaining improvements in muscle tone, strength, postural control, balance, and coordination from weight shifts and postural displacement created by the horse's gait. UpReach currently contracts with It's Ability Pediatric Physical Therapy and Dr. Heather Ajzenman, OTD, OTR/L. If you are interested in participating in hippotherapy, please contact either It's Ability PPT or Dr. Heather Ajzenman directly!
Why horses? The rhythm of a horse's gait is similar to that of the human walk and promotes active responses in the patient. In hippotherapy, the horse's movement influences the rider, which is directed by the treating therapist. The therapist analyzes the client's response and adjusts treatment accordingly. Some general benefits of hippotherapy include:
Bilateral integration and body awareness
Dynamic postural stability and endurance
Midline orientation and mobility of pelvis, spine, and hip joints
Problem-solving movement strategies
Symmetry and alignment
PEDIATRIC pHYSICAL tHERAPY iNC.
Pediatric Physical Therapy Inc. was established in 1982 by Colleen A. Sullivan (Moses), PT, PCS to provide state of the art, compassionate therapy services for children who have a variety of orthopedic, neurological, and developmental needs, with a focus on functional outcomes. In 2007, PPT opened It's Ability: Pediatric Physical Therapy Center and shortly thereafter began contracting with UpReach to provide hippotherapy. Colleen and her team of experienced, highly trained staff of therapists treat children several days a week at UpReach with the help of our volunteers and equine partners.
PLAY AND PROSPER THERAPY, PLLC
Play and Prosper Therapy started with just one OT, Heather Ajzenman but has since grown to offer occupational therapy services throughout New Hampshire and Maine.
OT sessions are neurodiversity affirming with focus on following each client’s interests and using strength-based approaches with incorporation of family/caregiver involvement to develop individualized goals as part of each session.
In addition to using the horse, sessions strongly focus on relationships and the use of each farm environment and nature as part of the developmental process.
We are excited to continue our collaboration with UpReach to offer OT incorporating hippotherapy.
Play and Prosper Therapy has 12 consulting OTs and continues to grow and offer occupational therapy using the horses at over 10 different farms through the area.
