Occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists taking this course will gain an understanding of the principles, history, theory, and research of the application of hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) as a treatment strategy/tool within a plan of care (POC) in OT, PT and SLP practice. Therapists will observe and analyze a therapy treatment with skilled equine movement and discuss the adaptive responses in the patient. Therapists will be introduced to skilled equine movement and the effect of the horse’s conformation and movement on the systems of the human body for implementation in a POC for a variety of diagnoses and patients. The following learning outcomes will be assessed during participation in active learning activities, learner demonstration of skills during practicums, class discussions, and small group work.

• Therapists will be able to define the term hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) and identify at least 3 primary principles of hippotherapy
  
  

• Therapists will be able to list and describe at least 5 key considerations in patient evaluation for determining if hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) should be included in a patient’s plan of care

• Therapists will be able to list and describe at least 6 precautions/ contraindications that should be considered when deciding on the inclusion of hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) into a patient’s plan of care and describe appropriate safety procedures during intervention

• Therapists will be able to list and describe the 5 primary parameters with respect to matching patient impairment, size, and functional limitation and horse size, gait, and temperament for optimal and safe incorporation of hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) into a plan of care to maximize functional outcomes

• Therapists will be able to describe the effect of hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) on at least 3 different patient diagnoses as related to their systems impairment, participation restriction, and functional outcomes through participation in a treatment planning practicum

• Therapists will demonstrate correct documentation in writing treatment and progress notes related to the current use of equine movement in OT, PT and SLP practice

• Therapists will be able to list 3 examples of how the therapist using skilled equine movement incorporates the AHA Best Practice Guidelines into practice.

• Therapists will be able to cite 3 current research articles applicable to hippotherapy (skilled equine movement)
  Identify the professional relationships between AHA, Inc. and its educational offerings, PATH Intl., and the AHCB by giving 3 examples of how these relationships impact Best Practice when incorporating hippotherapy as a treatment tool into a therapy plan of care. 

On-Site Course Daily Schedule: 

Click here to view tentative daily schedule 

Course CEs:

  AHA, Inc. is an AOTA Approved Provider of continuing education. Provider #:   11414. Full attendance at this course qualifies for 25.5 contact hours or 2.55   CEUs in the Category of Domain of OT, Occupational Therapy Process, and Professional Issues. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA. Course Level: Introductory

This program is offered for 2.55 ASHA CEUs (Introductory level, Professional area). A Certificate of Attendance will be provided.  Contact hours are 25.5. There are no continuing education credits for the Equine Skills pre-requisite. Students will receive continuing education credits for the one day online module.

AHA, Inc. recognizes that each state has separate PT requirements for CE approval. AHA, Inc. will work with each PT professional to determine if CEUs will be available, or can be obtained. If you have any questions regarding this, please ask when registering for a course.

Cancellation and Transfer Policies:

AHA,  Inc. reserves the right to adjust course dates, times and faculty to accommodate unforeseen circumstances including cancellation of the course due to insufficient registration up to 3 weeks prior to the scheduled start date. Notification will only be made to advanced registrants. Neither AHA, Inc. nor the course location is responsible for any expenses incurred by registrants due to such adjustments.

• $50 Non-refundable application fee regardless of course type.
• If course registration  is canceled within 24 hours of initially registering then the participant is eligible for a full refund regardless of course status.
• All registration transfers must occur in the same calendar year, if in Quarter 4 of the year, the transfer must occur within Quarter 1 (February-March) of the next year.

• No Notification or No Show: No refund on course fee. 
• Less than 2 weeks prior to course: no refund unless the participant can find someone to fill the registration spot/someone from the waitlist can take the spot. If someone fills the spot then only the $50 application fee is retained by AHA, Inc.
• 2-4 weeks prior to the course: 50% refund of course fee minus the $50 application fee. Greater than 4 weeks before the course: full refund minus the $50 application fee.

• No Notification or No Show: no possibility to transfer registration.
• Less than 3 weeks prior to course: 50% of course fee retained unless the participant can find someone to fill the registration spot/someone from the waitlist can take the spot. If someone fills the spot then only the $50 application fee is retained by AHA, Inc.
• 3-6 weeks prior to the course: 25% of course fee is retained unless the participant can find someone to fill the registration spot/someone from the waitlist can take the spot. If someone fills the spot then only $50 application fee is retained.
• Greater than 6 weeks prior to the course: full refund minus the $50 application fee.

Course Faculty: 

Faculty who are vetted to teach this course are:

• Meredith Bazaar, MS, CCC, SLP, HPCS
• Joann Benjamin, PT, HPCS
• Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS
• Ruth Dismuke-Blakely, MS, CCC, SLP, HPCS
• Karen Gardner , MOT, OTR, HPCS
• Lisa Harris, PT, HPCS
• Pippa Hodge, BSR, SCSP, MCPA, HPCS ( Canada )
• Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS
• Leslie Lautenschlager, OTR/L, HPCS
• Gina Taylor, MS, OT, HPCS

You may read their bios and disclaimers by clicking on the individual’s name.