Therapists

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists (OT) work with people across the lifespan to promote participation in activities that individuals need and want to do. OTs define occupations as any activity that occupies our time and is important to us.

Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational or speech-language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement and the equine environment as part of an integrated intervention program to achieve functional outcomes

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists work with people; across the lifespan promoting mobility and function through physical interventions in order to be physically able to participate in life's activities.

Speech Language Pathology

Speech Language Pathologists work with people across the lifespan treating speech disorders and promoting speech and communication.

Credentialing for Therapists and AR Instructors

Therapists (OT, PT and SLP) have completed several years of college or graduate level education and professional training and have received a college degree in OT, PT or SLP. Degrees were BA/BS in the past, but currently they must receive a Masters or Doctorate degree from an accredited institution. They have also passed a national board exam which allows them to apply for licensure in their state as a professional therapist. They are overseen by a state and national board, and responsible to maintain standards and ethics of the national professional association (AOTA, APTA, ASHA) which governs their profession. Therapists may or may not have extensive equine experience but some are also certified as Adaptive/therapeutic riding instructors. In the case that they are not dual certified, a certified riding instructor must to be present and involved in the treatment session to ensure safety, provide equine input and to meet site accreditation standards if they provide treatment at a PATH accredited TR/EAT centers.

Therapeutic/adaptive riding instructors are certified by a national association (PATH - Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). Some may have a degree in equine science or similar degree but most have received their training through private lessons. They are often very accomplished horse people and riding instructors. To become certified as therapeutic riding instructors they must pass a test and week long certification clinic with PATH covering knowledge of disabilities (sufficient to be able to adapt riding lessons), equine skills (including their own ability to ride, lead, handle horses and select appropriate tack), safety in equine environments. They must demonstrate skills in instruction and knowledge of site safety/accreditation standards. Riding instructors may not bill medical insurance or government agency funding for medical treatment. They may apply for grant funding for adaptive riding lessons provided as a social service to individuals or groups with disabilities.

Instructors and therapists must renew their certifications, registrations and licenses regularly (varies from 1-3 years). As part of that renewal they must report specified levels of continuing education to update their licensure/certifications.

Adaptive Riding (AR)

Adaptive Riding (AKA therapeutic riding) is a recreational activity. AR instructors are certified as riding instructors and AR consists of adapting riding lessons for people of all ages with a variety of disabilities. AR goals should be focused on improving riding/equine skills and/or performing equine related activities. Research has shown AR to be beneficial for participants but the therapeutic outcome is a side-effect of participating in a lesson and/or riding a horse as the participant increases skill or just participates in an equine related activity.

EAT Compared to AR

EAT differs from AR in some fundamental ways.

Goals of EAT: To improve function in daily lives
Goals of AR/TR: To improve riding/equine skills

“In TR the rider influences the horse’s movement, in EAT the horse influences the rider’s movement.”

--Sandy Rafferty, OTR/L

The most fundamental difference between the two types of equine assisted activities is in the training, certification, licensing and focus of the person leading the activity. In order for equine activities to be considered (and billed as) therapy, the person leading the activity must be licensed in their state as a professional PT, OT or SLP.

Using Correct Terminology and Best Practice.

Using correct and consistent terminology is critical when communicating about treatment with other therapists, parents, funders and media (who are often interested in the human interest aspect of this therapy). it is important to be clear about what we do as therapists and what the differences are between various kinds of equine assisted activities. The following documents have been developed by the American Hippotherapy Association as guides to correct and consistent communication, and for marketing, billing and treatment documentation.