Hippotherapy Treatment Principles, Level 1

May 2-4, 2008

Begins late afternoon, Friday, May 2, 2008

AHA Faculty:

Liz Baker, PT, HPCS

Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS

Liz is a PT whose involvement in hippotherapy began in 1986. In 1987 she studied hippotherapy at the Rommel Klinik in Wildbad, Germany, and is a founding member and past president of the AHA. Liz has taught at many American and international conferences over the past fifteen years; she has been extensively involved with NARHA as a board member, executive vice president, and Health and Education committee chair from 1987--2000. In 2000, Liz was the recipient of NARHA's most prestigious award, The James Brady Professional Achievement Award. Liz has been with Greenlock since its inception in 1989; she also continues to practice at Wrentham Developmental Center. She lives in Wrentham, MA, with her husband Stan, her dog Sophie and cat Maggie, and is still looking for a hobby.   

Mary Helene, a physical therapist for over 20 years, has been practicing hippotherapy at Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center, in Rehoboth, MA, since 1997. She also works as a school-based physical therapist and a consultant to a social service agency caring for developmentally disabled children and adults. Mary Helene has been a member of AHA since 1998 and is currently the RI state AHA liaison. She has been actively riding horses for over 10 years and assisted her daughters into becoming accomplished equestrians as well. Mary Helene lives in Portsmouth, RI with her husband, and 3 children as well as the family’s dogs, cat and favorite mare, Quincy.

Target Audience:

This two-day, hand-on workshop targets therapists and/or therapeutic riding instructors who meet the following prerequisites:

Completed an AHA Equine Skills Level 1 workshop or tested (waived) out of the course.

Course Description:

This two-day workshop is designed for entry-level therapists utilizing hippotherapy as a treatment strategy, and those interested in or working with hippotherapy teams. Graduate physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists may attend this course. Therapeutic riding instructors and others interested in the principles of Hippotherapy, although they may not provide hippotherapy services, are encouraged to attend this course with the treating therapist on their team.

Course Objectives Include:

Ø Know and understand the definition of Hippotherapy.

Ø Understand how the horse’s movement affects human systems—A System’s Approach.

Ø Describe possible responses of a patient to the movement of the horse’s walk.

Ø Describe the unique contributions of the horse’s movement as a treatment strategy and potential benefit for the patient.

Ø Understand the importance of the hippotherapy horse’s suitability and movement.

Ø Describe the appropriate methods of horse handling during hippotherapy.

Ø Describe the selection and use of hippotherapy equipment for the horse and patient.

Ø Identify all factors that contribute to safety in the hippotherapy session.

Ø Identify key considerations for patient selection for hippotherapy including specific contraindications and precautions.

Ø Describe the key elements of patient evaluation and treatment planning.

Ø Describe methods of maximizing effects of hippotherapy, including school figures and movement progressions.

Ø Describe safe methods of transitioning on and off the horse.

Ø Have a working knowledge of potential emergencies and appropriate procedures.

Ø Describe the roles of the hippotherapy team members.

Ø Understand the business aspects related to hippotherapy including documentation, record keeping, reimbursement issues and insurance.

Ø Demonstrate kind and humane treatment of the horse at all times.

Course Specifics:

The workshop begins late afternoon, Friday, May 2, 2008, and runs through Sunday, May 4, 2008. Certificates of attendance will be given to participants who attend the ENTIRE workshop. ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED TO 15 PARTICIPANTS.

Tuition:

$325.00 per person fee includes instruction, an extensive notebook of course materials and daily lunch and must be received by April 1, 2008. Fees will be refunded (less $100.00 processing and cancellation fee) for cancellations made prior to April 1, 2008. No refund will be allowed for cancellations made after April 1, 2008.

Accommodations: (Seekonk, MA)

Johnson & Wales Inn, 213 Taunton Avenue, 508-336-8700 (Closest proximity to GTRC)

Ramada Inn, 940 Fall River Avenue, 508-336-7300

Hampton Inn, 1105 Fall River Avenue, 508-336-9000

Bed & Breakfast Lodging: (Listed B&B’s are all located in Rehoboth, MA)

Gilberts B&B, 30 Spring Street, 508-252-6416

5 Bridge Farm, 154 Pine Street, 508-252-3190

Perryville Inn, 157 Perryville Road, 508-252-9239