Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy with Can Do Kids
Our Hippotherapy program is located at Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center at 200 Natures Trl, McDonald, Tennessee 37353 off exit 20. The Can Do Kids Hippotherapy Program services Chattanooga, Ooltewah, Cleveland, Bradley County, Polk County, Athens, and many more surrounding areas in East Tennessee.
Can Do Kids offers Physical and Occupational Therapy services. This program is best suited for kids who need to acquire, rebuild and develop skills that lead to a life of greater independence and happiness.
An OT will focus on your child’s goals relating to carrying out their everyday activities. OTs will usually recommend specialist equipment or suggest different ways of doing things that might help a person perform their necessary tasks.
A physical therapist will concentrate on the child’s movement goals. The PT will create specific exercise interventions to improve the way your child moves.
- Ages: 24 months+ through 21 years of age.
- This program only meets Monday and Wednesdays.
- Most major insurances are accepted.
- Private Pay Accepted
Can Do Kids partners with Margaret Maciuba, DPT, PT to provide Physical Therapy. Lynnze Cisco, OTD, OTR/L to provide Occupational Therapy.
Areas we Service:
- Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Athens, Tennessee
- Polk County Tennessee
- Cleveland, Tennessee
- Ooltewah, Tennessee
- Bradley County Tennessee
What is hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy is a form of physical, occupational and speech therapy in which a therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input. A foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing, which can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities. Unlike therapeutic horseback riding (where specific riding skills are taught), the movement of the horse is a means to a treatment goal when utilizing hippotherapy as a treatment strategy.
Hippotherapy has been used to treat patients with neurological or other disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, head injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, behavioral disorders and psychiatric disorders. The effectiveness of hippotherapy for many of these indications is unclear, and more research has been needed. Here, we purpose to give information about hippotherapy which is not known adequately by many clinicians and health workers.
Who can benefit from hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy can be beneficial for adults and children with special needs, from tiny tots to OAPs. If being mounted on the horse is not possible, working from the ground offers many opportunities to work on targeted functional activities to achieve the desired outcome.
As with all treatment modalities there are a few contraindications which might arise at assessment, but hippotherapy can have a positive effect on a wide variety of conditions. Everything from neurological to musculoskeletal, developmental delay to degenerative conditions, genetic or acquired, there is an increasing amount of clinical evidence now available in support of the positive impact that the horse can have in rehabilitation and functional improvement, impacting on both the physical and mental well-being of an individual.
More about Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center!
Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center’s Mission is to provide the opportunity for emotional and physical healing, equestrian education, and fulfillment for physically-, mentally-, or emotionally-challenged individuals of all ages. Simply put, a horse does not see us for our different abilities. This means the non-judgemental nature of horses allow participants to open up and have positive mental, emotional and social experiences. Physically, the gait of a horse helps participants mimic movements of the human gait to build muscle, balance, and fine-motor skills.
Can Do Kids partners with Margaret Maciuba, DPT, PT to provide Physical Therapy. Lynnze Cisco, OTD, OTR/L to provide Occupational Therapy.
Getting to know us!
Our Hippotherapy program at Can Do Kids is regarded as one of the best in Tennessee. We pride ourselves on offering a unique therapy setting to our community!
Want More Information?
Send us a message to learn more about our Pediatric Hippotherapy Program at Can Do Kids! We specialize in both Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy in the Hippotherapy setting.