Hippotherapy

 

What Is Hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes the dynamic movement of the horse to achieve therapy goals. This type of treatment is effective because the gentle, rhythmic movement of the horse simulates human walking. The term Hippotherapy comes from the Greek work "Hippo" which means horse.

 

For additional information, see the Hippotherapy: A Clinical Description page.

 

 

Hippotherapy200.jpg

Who Benefits?

Hippotherapy students at R.O.C.K. have many different diagnosis including:

  • Amputation
  • Brain Injury
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Muscular Weakness
  • Speech / Language impairment
  • Spinal Cord injury / impairment
  • Stroke
  • Visual impairment

 

Benefits

  • Improved muscle strength
  • Increased flexibility
  • Increased fine motor skills
  • Improved communication
  • Awareness of one's body in space (proprioception)
  • Improved range of motion

 


Video: Will and Dorothy O'Neal

Hippotherapy Staff

Hippotherapy at R.O.C.K. is provided by:

 

Nancy Willis O'Meara Krenek, PT, HPCS

Therapy Director & Founder

AHA Registered Therapist

Path International Certified Instructor

 

Shannon Middleton, MA, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Path International Certified Instructor

 

Jen Howicz

Physical Therapist Assistant

AHA 1 Certified Instructor

 

 

Participate in Hippotherapy at R.O.C.K.

For more information about becoming a rider in R.O.C.K.s Hippotherapy programs contact Nancy Willis O'Meara Krenek, Therapy Director, at nancy@rockride.org.

 

2011-2012 Class Calendar

 

Cancellation Policy

 

client / participant Application

 

Instructor WORKSHOPS

 

Volunteers

The mission of R.O.C.K. would be impossible to achieve without the passion and commitment of our volunteers. For more information, check out the Volunteers page.

 

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