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FAQ
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Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment strategy utilizing the horses movement to address impairments, functional limitations and disabilities in children with neuromotor dysfunction. Hippotherapy also offers an enjoyable therapeutic experience for the child that cannot be duplicated in the clinic. There is a natural therapeutic benefit that develops when children and horses are together, both physically and emotionally.
Children with a variety of disabilities can be seen including muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, autism, traumatic brain injury, Down’s syndrome, genetic disorders, spina bifida, sensory processing disorder, weakness from chemotherapy and developmental delays.
The horse’s movement has rhythmicity, symmetry, a dynamic base of support and three dimensional movement, all of which provide the patient with movement experiences difficult to replicate in a traditional therapy environment. The horse’s gait pattern is very similar to the human gait pattern. It is this movement experience that allows patients to achieve new abilities and strengths. These include improved balance, muscle tone, strength, endurance, coordination,
self confidence, concentration, attention span and sensory processing.
The therapy session is billed to insurance companies as physical, occupational therapy or speech
therapy. The therapists are paid through the hospital as hospital employees. The added cost to this program is the lease fees needed to use the horse and facility. There are also added liability insurance
costs. The program must raise money each year to meet these added expenses to provide this form of therapy to our children.
Click here for answers to
frequently asked questions.
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| Physical Therapist
Tracey Lewis is a pediatric physical therapist who has been practicing in pediatrics for over 25 years in a variety of settings. These include private practice, Children's hospitals, both in Orlando, FL. and here in
Toledo, OH and early intervention services in Denver, CO. She graduated from Ohio State University in 1981. She has taken numerous courses and continuing education courses on the care and treatment of children with neurological deficits. In 2003 she became NARHA certified and 2006/07 taken course work with the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) to become a Registered Therapist with the AHA for
hippotherapy. Tracey has worked for ST. Vincent Mercy Children's Hospital since Jan/05 and began a hippotherapy program with the
hospital in Sept/06. She currently works three days a week providing hippotherapy services to a variety of children age ranges from 2-18 years of age. |
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