2008

                                       AHA Level II Equine Skills and Treatment Principles

                                                   Faculty: Bonnie Cunningham, MA, MPA, PT, HPCS

 and Claudia Morin, MHE, OTR/L, HPCS

 

November 15-16         AHA Business Aspects of Hippotherapy

                                       Faculty: Lori Garone, PT, HPCS

 

2009

January 24                   AHA Speech Therapy

                                       Faculty: Meredith Bazaar

 

April 23-24                   AHA Level I Equine Skills

                                       Faculty: Bonnie Cunningham, MA, MPA, PT, HPCS

 

April 24-26                   AHA Level I Treatment Principles

                                                   Faculty: Bonnie Cunningham, MA, MPA, PT, HPCS

Equine Skills I

This 1 1/2 day, hands-on, course targets therapists and assistants with minimal to no horse experience in non-mounted equine skills. Participants will work with horses in teams of two or three, with close supervision and assistance allowing an opportunity for demonstration, practice and individualized feedback and instruction.

 

Course objectives

· Correctly interpret the “body language” of the horse.

· Identify and name key anatomical points of the horse.

· Recognize elements of desirable conformation of the horse.

· Identify, describe the function of, and demonstrate proper use of grooming equipment.

· Identify key parts of the horse’s tack.

· Demonstrate safe and proper tacking and un-tacking of a horse.

· Recognize and describe the four natural gaits of the horse.

· Recognize desirable qualities of the horse’s movement.

· Recognize unsoundness in a moving horse.

· Recognize the signs of stress/burnout in the horse.

· Demonstrate safe, correct leading techniques with basic school figures.

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

.

Treatment Principles I

This 2 1/2 day course is designed for entry level therapists utilizing hippotherapy as a treatment strategy and those in or working with hippotherapy teams. Hands on practicums are available in this course. It can be attended by graduate physical, occupational, speech therapists, horse handlers and riding instructors.

 

Course OBJECTIVES

· Know and understand the definition of Hippotherapy.

· Understand how the horse’s movement affects human systems- A System’s Approach.

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

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

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

· Describe the appropriate methods of horse handling during hippotherapy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

· Describe the roles of the hippotherapy team members.

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

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

 

Contact:

Kathy Brennan

908.439.9636

FAX 908.439.2338

shhrcpd@earthlink.net

 

Workshops at SHHRC

SHHRC is proud to host the following AHA, Inc. approved courses:

Equine Skills II

This 2-day hand-on workshop targets therapists with moderate horse experience in non-mounted equine skills.  Participants must have taken the prerequisite course or, have attained waived status from Level 1 Equine Skills, before taking this course.  Mounted practicum's are available during this course.  This course will give the Therapist and the HPOT Team the training principles needed and how they are applied in a hippotherapy session to improve your horse and the efficacy of  hippotherapy as a treatment strategy. The curriculum may be used only under conditions set by AHA Inc.

 

Course objectives

· Recognize the importance of a common horsemanship knowledge  base for the therapist, horse professional and all members of the HPOT team.  

· Identify  preferred conformation and understand the relationship between conformation, movement quality and soundness for the hippotherapy horse

· Demonstrate the ability to assess a horse for soundness, regularity and evenness of gait, straightness and flexibility.

· Demonstrate the ability to assess horse behaviors including those resulting from stress and/or discomfort. 

· Identify and convey to the horse handler the necessary skills required to produce quality movement when leading, lunging or long lining the HPOT horse.

· Understand training techniques for a HPOT horse including groundwork, desensitization, and conditioning.

· Understand the principles of good nutrition, veterinary and worming protocols for horses in a HPOT program.

· Understand the importance of and be able to identify handling and riding skills that are necessary to maintain and/or improve the HPOT horse.

· Create and understand the importance of having a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly schedule for the hippotherapy horse.

· Understand the need to educate and train staff and/or volunteers who will be working with the HPOT horse, either in HPOT sessions or involved with the daily care and training routines, the handling techniques and training protocols to maintain a safe, effective, and successful HPOT program.

· Identify lameness and illness in the hippotherapy horse and explain   appropriate prevention through veterinary, farrier and nutritional care, and training protocols.

 

Treatment Principles II

This 2.5 day curriculum, Level ll Treatment Principles was developed by AHA Inc.  The course is designed to provide and facilitate a problem solving, treatment approach, using actual patients currently involved in hippotherapy treatment programs.  Practical applications to NDT, SI and Motor Learning Theory and Clinical Reasoning will be applied to the hippotherapy treatment strategy as well as an introduction to the Hippotherapy Conceptual Framework Theory. Therapists will be treating actual patients within a HPOT Team, with video taping and group discussions to further advance the learning experience. This course may be attended by licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists and assistants (PTA, COTA).  The curriculum may be used only under conditions set by AHA Inc.  

 

Course OBJECTIVES

· Develop a hippotherapy treatment plan based on a disablement model.
Select objective outcome measures for pre and post testing.
Select appropriate horse and equipment for a specific patient.
Practice modifications of equine movement as a primary method of enhancing patient treatment outcomes.
Understand the relationship between treatment and functional outcomes.
Identify appropriate functional outcome measures for hippotherapy patients.

· Review best practice guidelines for documentation, HIPPA compliance, and written and verbal communication among HPOT team members, other medical professionals and third party payers.

· Engage in group problem-solving using video review and discussion as a model for collaborative treatment practice.

· Be introduced to the following concepts as a foundation for advanced clinical problem solving:
            a. Clinical reasoning
            b. Hippotherapy Conceptual Framework

· Recognize and discuss indications for alternative positions and equipment.

· Recognize the importance of setting discharge criteria and establishing discharge planning, including potential for transitioning to community based programs.

 

Click here for the Level II Equine Skills and Treatment Principles Brochure and Registration Form

Business Aspects of Hippotherapy

This course is intended for Physical and Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Pathologists interested in starting up a private practice incorporating hippotherapy as a treatment strategy in a variety of settings

 

This 2 day course will offer the therapist the basics for how to start a Private Practice which incorporates hippotherapy as a treatment strategy. It will include the following topics: business plan, organizational structure of the business, start up budget, location and clinic requirements, staffing, CPT code for setup, reimbursement/cash business, contracts, wellness programs/ support personnel and programs for the community and families, for profit/nonprofit and marketing.  It will discuss contract therapists in the EAT field and the administration of Best Practice in the EAT profession.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for the Business Aspects of Hippotherapy Brochure and Registration Form.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

· Understand the process for starting up a private practice incorporating hippotherapy

· Understand the process for determining the type of business structure is best for your practice

· Understand the process for developing start up budget/ business plan/ break even analysis

· Understand how to set up contracts with a variety of  programs and the importance of a wellness program for your practice

· Understand Billing Reimbursement/ CPT Coding Fee set up/ Cash flow

· Know how to develop the growth and expansion of your practice

· Understand the Best Practice administration in the EAT field

· Understand basic marketing techniques

· Understand the importance of an exit plan