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Dawn
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| Posted: Feb 19 2008 at 11:52am | IP Logged
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Does anyone have any experience with this type of therapy? We are considering it for our son (6yo, PDD-NOS). His OT said it would be hugely benificial to him, but since our insurance company *stinks* we will probably have to pay out of pocket. 
Still, whatever he needs, we'll find a way ... 
Thanks for any advice!
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MacBeth
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| Posted: Feb 19 2008 at 12:30pm | IP Logged
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Pet therapy gone wild?
Um...did you mean hypnotherapy? I was just thinking that hippotherapy might be difficult...what with the feeding requirements, habitat, etc.
Also, did you know that more people are killed by hippos than any other large mammals? 
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Feb 19 2008 at 12:41pm | IP Logged
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LOL! Hippotherapy means therapeutic horseback riding.
Hippotherapy
I don't have any experience with it, but have heard great things about it. I'm all for kids and horses in any setting!
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Dawn
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| Posted: Feb 19 2008 at 12:43pm | IP Logged
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MacBeth wrote:
Pet therapy gone wild?
Um...did you mean hypnotherapy? I was just thinking that hippotherapy might be difficult...what with the feeding requirements, habitat, etc.
Also, did you know that more people are killed by hippos than any other large mammals? |
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Lol, MacBeth!! 
I guess I should have linked to an explanation of hippotherapy as it would benefit a special blessing.
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys
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MacBeth
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| Posted: Feb 19 2008 at 12:46pm | IP Logged
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Ah! Now it makes sense! I have heard wonderful things about that kind of hippo and special needs kids.
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MacBeth in NY
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SusanJ
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That is too funny! I saw this a bit ago and the only thing I could think was this crazy story my dh told me one day.
A professor of his in grad school claimed that Pope Pius XII was afflicted with chronic hiccups at the end of his life and was under the care of a quack doctor who treated him with hippo blood. I didn't really want to think that this was a new cure for Autism spectrum, so I didn't say anything.
Susan
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Feb 19 2008 at 6:37pm | IP Logged
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LOL!
MacBeth is a hoot!
We have this form of therapy in our area and I've heard great things about it.
Another form of therapy that I recently heard about and it is taking place at our local library in conjunction with the area animal shelter is a reading program for kids and dogs. I kid you not.
The animal shelter brings dogs to the library and special need children read their favorite books to the dogs.
I'm kind of partial to living on a farm myself..
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Cay Gibson
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jenk
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I used to work with disabled adults and one of the places we took some of our clients was a local horse ranch specifically for therapy. Many different types of disabilities were treated -from physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral. They worked with students as well as adults but I'm not sure of the ages. My experience was positive but very limited. I was only able to see the therapy in action for a few weeks one summer while I filled in as a driver. (My job at the time was in the employment dept.) What I did see was a really worthwhile operation. Some of the most severely disabled people, non-communicative even- would literally light up when they went to get on "their" horse. I can't speak for how much it helped or how much progress was made by any individual except to say that the clients in my group really seemed to enjoyed it and the councilors sang praises.
After we started homeschooling and I was no longer working, the ranch was one of the first field trips we attended so we got some background information on the horses and were able to tour the stables. I was impressed with the caring and knowledgeable staff.
I don't know if that helps at all, since I don't have any concretes and it's hard to give specific advice since everyone is different but if your OT thinks it would help, I think it would be worth pursuing. The ranch in our area is here: http://www.harmonyfarmsinc.com/index.html
And while I know that doesn't help if you aren't in FL, their site has some photos of riders and a little information.
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hsmom
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With our hippo therapy, the insurance covers the OT, but we pay a fee for the use of the horse. If your insurance is covering your current OT it may work the same for you. You may not be able to continue working with 2 OT's though if that is what you were planning on doing. HTH
Valerie
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Taffy
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Dawn,
I've been involved with therapeutic horseback riding as both a volunteer and a parent of a rider (my PDD boy). I'm a big advocate for it - lots of positive learning in a generally fun environment! Therapeutic riding involves teaching horsemanship skills to individuals who have "special needs". The goal is to provide learning in horsemanship while accommodating special needs. Generally, therapeutic benefits to the rider are provided through the interaction of horse and rider. Hippotherapy involves standard therapy using the horse as an aid. For instance, in hippotherapy, the horse would be used to help a physical therapist during a physical therapy session. In therapeutic riding, the goal is to learn to ride with a physical therapist helping the rider to ride the horse. Both types are valuable but it's important to know what to expect.
I've seen MANY positive benefits in working with therapeutic riding. Regarding PDD, I've seen my son improve his communication skills, particularly in the area of nonverbal communication. If you want the horse to go, or stop, or turn, etc, you need to be able to communicate with it after all. There is also a boost to self confidence. Horses are big and can be very intimidating. To an individual who has extra challenges in life, the ability to control such a large animal which many find frightening is a big boost to the ego. Horses are nonjudgemental - they don't care if you stutter, or don't speak clearly. This fact is also a big benefit for riders who have issues in dealing with people.
My son really looks forward to his lessons and I've seen his self confidence really improve in the past year since we started.
Sorry if this isn't making much sense - I've been operating on very little sleep lately. I'm happy to talk about this more if you'd like to PM me. Some other great sources of information on this are:
NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped
CANTRA (Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association)
STRIDES Therapeutic Riding
As far as paying for it, I'm in Canada so what applies here may not apply to you. Special Olympics are sometimes involved and will greatly subsidize the cost. Many therapeutic riding centers will subsidize riders with limited abilities to pay. A former colleague has riders who have their fees paid by the local school board. I am sure that the local riding center will be able to tell you where funds are available.
Hope this helps.
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MacBeth
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SusanJ wrote:
A professor of his in grad school claimed that Pope Pius XII was afflicted with chronic hiccups at the end of his life and was under the care of a quack doctor who treated him with hippo blood. I didn't really want to think that this was a new cure for Autism spectrum, so I didn't say anything.
Susan |
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Eeeeeeew. I mean...How interesting!
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MacBeth in NY
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Mary Chris
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Looks like you have gotten some good information. I have a freind who is going to finish up her counseling masters and work in this field. If you need more information I can put you in touch with her.
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Karnak
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Hi Dan
We have it here in Australia where I live and my son had it as part of school for 3-4 terms. The local group is Pegasus: riding fo the disabled. like most things it has a long waiting list, and his current autism unit is more into swimming than horseridng so I have put his name down for it on the weekends.
I agree with the poster who talked about dogs helping kids on the spectrum, We now have a Samoyed puppy and he is great at getting my son both to talk and interact as they playfight. I suspect Mawson th e dog is fighting to secure dominance but it is not working and my son is beginning to assert himself. This is nicer than when he was afraid of dogs.
The other mum who mentioned that you might be able to get your school board to pay for it as part of the services offered to your son, might be the way to go. I know you homeschool but don't the schools have to offer the extra services to your son as part of the deal.
Karnak
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CathinCoffeland
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google PERSONAL PONIES
They are a organization that offers free/lowcost
hippotherapy with well ponies :)
A friend of mine is a volunteer coordinator for our state. she got involved because the cost of traditional hippotherapy is a shamefully expensive and P.P. offered her free therapy for her ds.
They are a nation wide program perhaps there is a branch in your area.
Good Luck- Maggie
btw we have been taking our kids to the events and it has been wonderful for the pony crazed princess in our life as well as the "special needs" kiddo in our life :)
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Willa
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I've heard there are many benefits and have often considered it for my 8 year old, but we would probably have to pay out of pocket too 
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Taffy
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Dawn wrote:
Does anyone have any experience with this type of therapy? We are considering it for our son (6yo, PDD-NOS). His OT said it would be hugely benificial to him, but since our insurance company *stinks* we will probably have to pay out of pocket.
Still, whatever he needs, we'll find a way ...
Thanks for any advice! |
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Just curious, Dawn, did you go ahead with the hippotherapy? 
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Susan
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Dawn
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| Posted: April 14 2008 at 6:07pm | IP Logged
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Taffy wrote:
| Just curious, Dawn, did you go ahead with the hippotherapy? |
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We are in the process of it, yes. Earlybird had his physical a couple of weeks ago and his pediatrician readily agreed to write the referral for the hippotherapy. We now must make an appointment with the Farm to tour the facility/arrange for an evaluation, etc.
I am *hoping* our insurance will cover it, because it will be considered PT - which EB has never used. He has used up his OT (which we now pay OOP  )but currently his Speech is still covered (phew!).
I will let you all know how it goes!
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys
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Taffy
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Hope he likes it!
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Susan
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4Real Forums : Special Blessings
Topic: Hippotherapy?
