Learning Objective One
Gain an exposure to hippotherapy sessions, through observation of treatment planning and goal writing
1a. Observe how to complete a session involving hippotherapy at the barn
1b. Learn/research treatment techniques and activities within sessions at my site by speaking with OT/ OTAs/ and listening to podcasts
1c. Write example goals/accurate documentation for client cases at my site
1d. Plan an example session involving hippotherapy for a client cases (either on paper or verbally) and seek feedback from site point person
Learning Activities
Deliverables
Planned example session
Feedback on Session
Good Considerations made. Be sure to also consider the type of movements the horse can produce in relation to your client goals Always also have a backup horse that you think your client could go on, if need be and available.
Goal Attainment Scale (GAS)
Podcast Reflections
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Listened May 27, 2022. Recorded October 25, 2019
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This podcast talked a lot about being a "hippotherapist", which I believe to be incorrect terminology. The speaker talked about how she makes $27 an hour doing this part time, which she feels is roughly median salary. she talked a lot about how this work can be rough on the therapist body- shoulders and back aching after 3-4 hours of work. Her site (did not mention name or region) offers hippotherapy to children 0-3 as a compliment to early intervention. This is very different from the clients and the work at my current site. The speaker talked about how they bill insurance (not sure which) as an outpatient therapy service. Their frequency is 1 time a week for 30 minutes each. The speaker sees six kids back to back then gets one hour paid documentation time, with documentation being completed by hand. She talked about how she doesn't think people or OTs stay in this line of work long term. It was good to hear she had no previous horse experience besides recreational riding and taking some CEUs with observation time too. She talked about goal writing as being different from other settings because here you don't talk about the horse in the notes, instead you say "dynamic therapy surface" or "static therapy service". This therapist talked about how she wished at her site there was more communication between the therapist and "horse people" or the full time staff. This is something that I think was interesting to hear and something I'll be looking for at my site.
Podcast 1: Spill the OT- Hippotherapy
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Listened May 31, 2022. Recorded April 19, 2021
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This episode talked about hippotherapy basics (terminology, documentation, billing, etc). I liked how in this podcast the speaker spoke about thing she wanted to see change within hippotherapy. She stated there needs to be more long term research studies with more robust evidence to show the benefits so clients, insurance, and the general public have a better understanding of what we do. She also stated that terminology needs to be more streamlined for similar understanding reasons. Furthermore, the certification process needs to be more streamlined and informed. This podcast went over a lot of information I already knew from my research and some new information about changes, so overall it was a good review to listen to. I agree with the speaker though in that there needs to be more evidence produced for hippotherapy. There is a ton of anecdotal evidence but in order for this to be taken more seriously, begin to be reimbursed appropriately, and to secure more funds we need to produce the robust evidence that undoubtedly shoes this working. Terminology also needs to be something that is pushed by the AHA to be more streamlined. So many different sites are using outdated terms, or incorrect terms and this makes this very confusing to the consumer and to insurance/funders.
Podcast 2: Expert Conversations- Hippotherapy
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Listened June 2, 2022. Recorded October 2021
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I really enjoyed this podcast because it talked about how someone can make their own private practice using hippotherapy without necessarily having or working at a larger barn with an established program. Both people speaking were SLPs which also gave a unique perspective. The speakers private practice started with them first seeing some patients on the side privately with private pay. When she realized she liked that more than the school system, she decided to make her own practice. She worked at a place with hippotherapy and aquatics previously, so she did have some experience with those as well. She made her own LLC "Unbridled LLC" and now works with two barns, paying a fee per horse per hour she uses them. Her clients come from all over her area and she said word of mouth has been helpful in growing her business. She also sees kids in their homes as part of her home health program. She sited using resources from the small business association in her area, and taking entrepreneur classes. Overall, this podcast made having a private practice not seem as daunting if you start small and use the resources available to you. the speaker said the parents have been so helpful in coming up with finding ideas too- so listen to your client base, was what I took away!
Podcast 3: Offering Hippotherapy Through Private Practice
