Forward Stride: Equine therapy, Riding Therapy, and Hippotherapy
Who They areForward Stride is a 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to improving lives through equine-related services. It is located in the southern region of Beaverton, and it serves the greater Portland community. They have 4 major programs: a Hippotherapy program, a Therapeutic Riding program, a Veterans program, and a Volunteer program. It is a PATH international premier accredited therapeutic equestrian center that serves to meet a variety of needs from a variety of ages.
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My role
I have several different roles at Forward Stride, but I primarily work as a header and side walker in the Hippotherapy sessions. I work with all types of therapy (Physical, Occupational, and Speech-Language Pathology), but I primarily work with the Speech Pathology sessions. I am the assistant to the leader and the therapist during the clinical sessions, and I work with both the horse and client in administering therapy.
By working at this organization, I am helping people with disabilities to access therapeutic services in an equestrian environment. This would not be possible without volunteers, both the volunteers who care for the horses as well as the volunteers who assist the client in their riding sessions. The Hippotherapy sessions are Path-certified and require the horse leader, the therapist, and the side walkers to be present in order to conduct therapy. If any one person in the Hippotherapy unit does not show up, the therapy session cannot be conducted until those spaces are filled. I worked with three different clients that had various therapy needs, including Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology. I cannot divulge much information due to client confidentiality, but for example, I was able to see a little girl move from weakly toddling to walking with strength just a few short months after beginning Hippotherapy. |
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Hippotherapy
According to the American Hippotherapy Association Inc, "The term hippotherapy refers to how occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to achieve functional outcomes. In conjunction with the affordances of the equine environment and other treatment strategies, hippotherapy is part of a patient's integrated plan of care."
Riding a horse requires many different skills that we take for granted, including abdominal strength, balance, and coordination. When riding a horse, the rider's body experiences movement akin to human walking. This can be especially helpful for clients who need to develop balance and strength for natural daily movements, such as walking. It also provides a sensory experience that can be helpful for Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy apart from the benefits of developing strength and coordination. |
reflection
I look forward to the smiles and progress that my clients will have in therapy. Hippotherapy can truly make a difference in a client's life, and I enjoy being a part of that positive change in their world. I also look forward to maintaining a relationship with Forward Stride in the future, and possibly working part time there as a Speech Pathologist upon receiving my graduate degree. Long term, I look forward to helping people through their trials in life. As a therapist, I could be able to help people obtain a better quality of life despite sickness or traumatic events.
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Contact18218 SW Horse Tale Drive Beaverton, Oregon 97007 Tel: (503) 590-2959 Fax: (503) 590-2969 [email protected] Donate: https://secure.donorpro.com/forward-stride-donate Volunteer application: http://forwardstride.org/volunteer/ |