American Hippotherapy Association

You know what day it is... FACILITY FRIDAY!

This week we are highlighting Shining Hope Farms in Mount Holly, NC!

Founded in 2002, Shining Hope Farms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals to reach their full potential through clinical therapies and adaptive horseback riding. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with physical, emotional, developmental, or behavioral challenges by providing accessible, compassionate, and effective services in a nurturing natural environment.

Comprehensive Clinical Therapy Services

At Shining Hope Farms, we offer a wide range of therapeutic services, including occupational, physical, speech, and mental health therapies. These services are available both in a traditional clinic setting and within our enriching nature-based environments. Our unique approach integrates equine movement and interaction into an integrated therapy plan of care when clinically indicated. Last year, we served 168 patients from 14 counties, providing 4,428 therapy sessions. As the only AHA-trained providers offering the highly effective hippotherapy treatment tool in the Charlotte Metro area, our services are vital to the community.

Our mental health counseling services incorporate the natural surroundings of our farms, with select sessions including equine interaction as a biofeedback mechanism. This innovative approach offers real-time opportunities for patients to enhance self-awareness and re-pattern maladaptive behaviors, feelings, and attitudes. In 2023, we provided 489 counseling sessions to 38 patients, fostering mental wellness in a serene and supportive environment.

Adaptive Horseback Riding Lessons

Our adaptive horseback riding lessons, led by PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors, include both mounted and unmounted activities designed to develop horsemanship skills while offering physical, social, and emotional benefits. These lessons, tailored to each rider’s needs, served 78 individuals through 1,212 sessions last year, providing the healthful benefits of interacting with horses in a fun and engaging way.

Saddles & Salutes: Serving Veterans and Their Families

Our Saddles & Salutes program is designed to support Veterans and their families as they reintegrate into civilian life. Veterans can participate in any of our services, from counseling to adaptive riding, at no cost. In 2023, we supported 9 Veterans through 8 group counseling sessions and 25 individual sessions, as well as 14 Veterans through 286 adaptive riding lessons. Our staff is specially trained to address the unique needs of the Veteran population, offering a safe and supportive space for healing.

Our Impact

Since our founding, Shining Hope Farms has been committed to serving individuals without discrimination, including financial barriers. Remarkably, 40% of our clients are below 200% of the poverty line, which is why it's important to us to be an in-network provider for our therapy services, especially with Medicaid managed care plans. Last year, 88 cents of every dollar was spent directly on our programs, a testament to our commitment to our mission. Shining Hope Farms has also earned the prestigious Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, an honor awarded to less than 0.1% of nonprofits.

Expertise in Hippotherapy

Our Clinical Director Kelly Coney Pacious, DPT, is a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist, on the AHA Inc Board of Directors, is AHA Inc Developing Faculty and was named 2024 AHA Inc Therapist of the Year. We have hosted numerous American Hippotherapy Association courses over the past decade+ welcoming numerous AHA Inc Faculty members to our mulitple locations. We are commited to ensuring our staff receive the education needed to effectively utilize equine movement as a treatment tool as well as assist and network with therapists from other areas as they attend the AHA Inc courses we host. We look forward to hosting more in the future, including our upcoming course this fall!

From October 24-27, 2025 we will be hosting the Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part II.

The course is currently full so please contact the AHA, Inc. office at [email protected] to be added to the waiting list.

Still thinking about taking an AHA, Inc. Part II course this year? We just had a few spots open up at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Redmond, WA Sept. 11th-14th. Sign up today!

The AHA, Inc. website is up and running. Thank you for your patience!

Don't miss AHA, Inc.'s newest virtual course!

Are you looking to work outdoors in nature? Or maybe you're looking for a new treatment tool to expand your expertise and client offerings? Equine movement may be the answer! There exists a substantial amount of peer-reviewed research that shows positive effects from the incorporation of equine movement in treatment across many patient populations. Results show clients achieving significant functional gains and improved outcomes.

This two-hour virtual course offers a comprehensive overview of the safe use of equine movement as an intervention tool for licensed healthcare providers in many areas including mental and behavioral health; neuromotor, sensory, cognitive and communication impairments; or developmental delays. Starting with equine biomechanics and expanding to how equine movement impacts human neurophysiology, participants will learn basic principles supporting the impact and purposeful manipulation of equine movement on sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes, whether that is hippotherapy within an OT, PT or SLP treatment or mental health/medical professional treatment in discipline specific applications.

Participants will leave the course with a deeper understanding of equine movement as a tool: finding a qualified practitioner or accessing next steps for continuing education in order to build proficiency in using this tool within your services.

Click here to register: https://aha.memberclicks.net/foem_sept_12_2024

Our next Part II is in just a few short weeks! We are excited to head back to Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. Will you be joining us?! Visit our website or see link in bio to register today!

Just a few spots left! Join us in September for our last on-site Hippotherapy Treatment Principles- Part I of 2024! Visit our website or the link in bio to sign up today.

Are you a licensed healthcare professional interested in hippotherapy but don’t know where to start? Are you a therapy clinic looking to offer therapy services incorporating hippotherapy? Or are you a family wanting to learn more about the treatment tool? We are excited to share AHA, Inc.’s newest online course- Fundamentals of Equine Movement: Hippotherapy and Beyond!

This two-hour virtual course offers a comprehensive overview of the safe use of equine movement as an intervention tool for licensed healthcare providers in many areas including mental and behavioral health; neuromotor, sensory, cognitive, and communication impairments; or developmental delays. Starting with equine biomechanics and expanding to how equine movement impacts human neurophysiology, participants will learn basic principles supporting the impact and purposeful manipulation of equine movement on sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes, whether that is hippotherapy within an OT, PT or SLP treatment or mental health/medical professional treatment in discipline-specific applications. Participants will leave the course with a deeper understanding of equine movement as a tool: finding a qualified practitioner or accessing the next steps for continuing education to build proficiency in using this tool within your services.

Join us live on September 12th at 7:30pm EDT. Visit theahainc.org or click link in bio to sign up today!

You know what day it is... FACILITY FRIDAY!

This week we are highlighting Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Redmond, WA!

Founded in 1976, Little Bit is a non-profit organization leading the way in the field of equine assisted activities and therapies. Our mission is to improve the lives, bodies, and spirits of children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted activities and therapies, and to be an inspiration and educational resource to industry professionals, both regionally and nationally.

Little Bit is one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States. In 2023, Little Bit provided 3,305 therapy treatments, 5,014 adaptive riding lessons, and 349 equine facilitated learning and therapy sessions. Critical to these services were the 25,263 volunteer hours served. In 2013, Little Bit relocated to Dunmire Stables, a 17-acre site in Redmond, which includes a large therapy gym and treatment rooms, six buildings, two covered arenas, one outdoor arena, an activity trail, 40 paddocks, a ¼ mile racetrack, wetlands, rain garden, a retention pond, and two creeks. Little Bit’s staff consists of 67 members, including 9 therapists and 21 horse handlers. We are proud to care for a therapy herd of 34 horses.

Little Bit is honored to have hosted several American Hippotherapy Association courses, and we recognize the importance of being an educational resource to other centers and professionals. We are always looking for talented therapists and equine professionals to join our team. We look forward to hosting an AHA Treatment Principles Part II course in September!

From Sept 11-14 we will be hosting the Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part II at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. We only have two spots left! Sign up today!

Learn more and sign up here: https://aha.memberclicks.net/part_ii_redmond_wa_sept_2024

You know what day it is... FACILITY FRIDAY!

This week we are highlighting True Friends Camp Courage and Courage North in Minnesota!

True Friends is a nonprofit organization providing life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults with disabilities. Our programs include Camp, Respite, Retreats, Team Building, Therapy and Adaptive Riding, and Travel; serving over 25,000 individuals annually. With locations near Maple Lake, Annandale, and Eden Prairie, we serve individuals in Minnesota and throughout the United States.

Through the Therapy and Adaptive Riding program at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, we blend the magic of horses with the expertise of AHA, Inc. trained OT's and PATH, Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors to create a fun and therapeutic journey for individuals of all ages and abilities. Whether riders are explorers or seasoned adventurers, our program promises a supportive and enriching experience that’s as unique as they are.

The AHA, Inc. LOVES True Friends Camp Courage and Courage North as it is one of our most unique facilities with 238 acres of scenic lakeshore, woods, and fields on beautiful Cedar Lake. For AHA, Inc. courses, Camp Courage offers LODGING, FOOD & AIRPORT TRANSPORTIONS! With over 10 different cabins and 5 different meeting spaces, accommodating up to 300 people, Camp Courage is the perfect location for groups small and large. https://truefriends.org/locations/camp-courage/

From Sept 6-8 we will be hosting the Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part I at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, MN. Learn more and sign up here: https://aha.memberclicks.net/pt1_onsite_true_friends_sept_2024

DID YOU KNOW you can take out an ad in AHA, Inc.’s digital magazine, Equilibrium? By doing so, you can reach a wide audience of therapists, facilities, patients, equestrians, and more while also supporting the AHA, Inc.’s mission. All profits from ads in our magazine go directly back to The AHA, Inc., helping us to continue to provide education and resources to therapists who utilize hippotherapy. Reach out to us today to learn more about advertising opportunities!

Our new digital magazine offers an interactive experience for readers. With clickable links, QR codes, videos, and more, readers can easily navigate through the content and access additional information. This innovative approach allows for a more engaging and dynamic reading experience. Readers can explore related articles, watch videos, and interact with the content in a way that traditional print magazines cannot offer. The interactive features enhance the overall reading experience and make the magazine more accessible and informative for our members.

https://youtu.be/RzcUTg-VKsM?feature=shared

Are you an OT, PT or SLP professional looking to incorporate horses into your treatment? START YOUR TRAINING TODAY!

The American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. provides educational resources and continuing education courses for OT, PT and SLP professionals who incorporate equines, equine movement and the equine environment in treatment.

HIPPOTHERAPY TREATMENT PRINCIPLES Part I A&B Webinar Series

PART I A: September 26-27th

PART IB: October 10-11
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO: https://aha.memberclicks.net/aha-inc-upcoming-course-schedule

Incorporating hippotherapy into an occupational therapy, physical therapy or speech language pathology session can serve as a powerful tool for the facilitation of the key neuromotor systems that support function. Skillfully applied equine movement, under the direction of a therapist, can offer the patient the opportunity for complex motor learning. Hippotherapy is combined with other standard therapy tools/strategies in an intervention plan designed to address the treatment needs of the client.

Strength, Muscle Coordination and Sensory Processing used for walking, talking, and the use of fine motor skills for activities of daily living and general attention to tasks have all been shown to be positively impacted by equine movement as a facilitation tool/strategy, when under the direction of a therapist, as part of a larger total plan of care. In addition, increased motivation and participation in treatment and social emotional benefits have been reported.

What is Hippotherapy? Informational video on the use of hippotherapy as a treatment tool in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy sessions. The term hippother...

The next AHA, Inc International Interdisciplinary Therapist Case Study Group Meeting will be held on Monday, July 22 at 7:30pm Eastern (New York) Time, 6:30pm CT, 5:30pm MT, 4:30pm PT, etc. The topic will be All Things Spine Related. Megan Sellenrad-Hamelin, OT, HPCS, will present X-rays and pictures of her patient(s) for discussion and others are encouraged to do the same.

The Case Study Group meetings are a great FREE resource to learn, knowledge share and network with other therapists who utilize hippotherapy across the world! Participation allows for AHCB credentialed individuals to count CEU’s

Register today! https://aha.memberclicks.net/study_group

NEW webinars added to the 2024 course calendar!

Hippotherapy Treatment Principles PART I A: August 8th- 9th

Hippotherapy Treatment Principles PART I B: August 22nd- 23rd

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO: https://aha.memberclicks.net/aha-inc-upcoming-course-schedule

It's FACILITY FRIDAY!

This week, the AHA, Inc. is recognizing The National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT).

Founded in 1971, NCEFT is internationally recognized as a pioneer and leader of equine-assisted programs in the United States. NCEFT’s unique programming harnesses the profound rehabilitative power between horses and humans to facilitate healing for children and adults with disabilities and mental health challenges. NCEFT offers Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Adaptive Riding programs, and Mental Health and Resilience programs. Barbara "Barb" Heine, former President of the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) played a pivotal role in establishing NCEFT's hippotherapy programs in the early 1990's. Chris Swan, MSPT, HPCS, NCEFT's Program Director and lead Physical Therapist was trained by Barb. Several NCEFT horses have received national recognition for their abilities in therapy and adaptive riding programs, including Sebastian, who was awarded the Barbara Heine Therapy Horse of the Year by AHA in 2019. Check out nceft.org for more information!

The NCEFT is hosting and AHA, Inc. Hippotherapy Treatment Principles PART II Course in Woodside, CA, August 2nd-5th. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: aha.memberclicks.net/ptii_nceft_aug_2024

The AHA, Inc. office will be closed Tomorrow, July 4th. Happy Independence Day!

Hippotherapy Treatment Principles – Part I (On-site)

September 6-8, 2024
Location: True Friends in Maple Lake, MN
Faculty: Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS

The Facility Host Site, True Friends- Camp Courage is offering LODGING and AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION for this course!
REGISTER HERE: https://aha.memberclicks.net/pt1_onsite_true_friends_sept...
Lodging includes private room in one of our camp cabins with shared bathroom and lounge. Cost: $215.00 which includes check in Thursday evening 9/5 through checkout 3:00 PM 9/8. Meals are included with that price in our cafeteria from Friday morning breakfast through Sunday morning breakfast. Sunday lunch will be at the arena. Must contact Shari Mangas to reserve at 763-360-4117.
We are offering shared airport pickup at 7:00 PM on 9/5/24, CST to and drop off at 4:00 PM CST Sunday 9/6/24. Small fee to be determined to cover gas costs. If interested, Registrant's must plan their travel around those times and contact Shari Mangas to reserve. Otherwise, rental car's are available to reserve via rental car companies at the MSP airport.
https://truefriends.org/locations/camp-courage/

COMING SOON TO YOUR INBOX!

Our magazine editorial team has been hard at work on the AHA, Inc. Equilibrium Summer 2024 issue, highlighting conference!

Be sure to check your account to make sure your membership status is active and your email address is up to date to receive a copy of the digital magazine!

It's FACILITY FRIDAY!
Today we are recognizing The J F Shea Therapeutic Riding Center !

For 46 years, The Shea Center has been a lifeline for individuals with disabilities in Orange County, housed on 8 acres in San Juan Capistrano, CA. As a PATH Premier Accredited Center, we served 1,425 participants in 2023, offering essential therapy services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapies utilizing as a treatment tool, , mental health services, inclusive summer camps, and veteran/first-responder services. Our dedicated team of 56 employees includes experts in horse management, medical professionals, financial and development professionals and more, all committed to providing the highest quality care to our clients. We also have a thriving volunteer community, with over 760 volunteers contributing 21,587 hours in 2023. Our innovative programs and partnerships, such as those with Chapman University and The Gary Sinise Foundation demonstrate our commitment to advancing the field and supporting our community. Visit SheaCenter.org for more!

The AHA, Inc. loves the J F Shea Therapeutic Riding Center as it is home to one of our most dedicated members and volunteers, Matt Mitchell, PT, DPT, HPCS. Not only is Matt one of our newest board members, he also sits on our research committee AND is our conference committee chair, where he successfully planned and organized one of our best conferences to date! Matt and the Shea Center both play an instrumental role in uplifting the mission that lies at the heart of AHA, Inc. - offering skilled therapy services that incorporate horses accessible to every person who has the potential to benefit.

Next week's Lunch & Learn webinar is: Set Up For Success: Arena Design to Facilitate Pediatric Outcome with Meredith Flowers, PhD, DPT, PCS & Beth Stamp, PT, DPT, PCS

Join us live on June 26th at 12:00 p.m. (MT). Can't attend live? Don't worry- registration gets you access to the presentation recording.

REGISTER TODAY! https://aha.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mcform&view=ngforms&id=2208118 #!/

AHA, Inc. Members: $45
Non- Members: $55

The next item comes from American Hippotherapy Association for their Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part 1 A&B Webinar Course.

To bid on this item, click: https://forms.gle/EBoHE68MQWBTxc8aA

Today we celebrate the American Hippotherapy Association's Founders Day! We are just 4 short years away from the AHA, Inc.'s 25th anniversary. In honor of almost a quarter century of leading the way through treatment with the help of the horse, we are launching the "Forging New Pathways" fundraising campaign!

DONATE TODAY FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE! https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/78042359-52f2-437d-9cbd-031f53f5b40d

The "Forging New Pathways" campaign marks a momentous milestone for the AHA, Inc. as we celebrate almost a quarter century of educating therapists who provide life-changing treatment through the use of hippotherapy. This comprehensive fundraising initiative aims to raise crucial awareness and vital financial resources to further the AHA, Inc.’s mission of supporting those in need through treatment with the help of the horse. For the past 25 years, the AHA, Inc. has been leading the way with the advancement of education, best practices, and providing resources & a unique network for licensed healthcare professionals who incorporate horses in skilled therapy services.

Through this landmark fundraising campaign, the AHA, Inc. will be able to expand its reach, invest in state-of-the-art technology, promote equine welfare, support research, develop curriculum and ensure the longevity of transformative therapy services for generations to come. By coming together as a community to support the "Forging New Pathways" initiative, donors will play a vital role in enhancing the lives of those in need and uplifting the mission that lies at the heart of the AHA, Inc.'s impactful work.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 by our 25th Anniversary- that’s $25,000 a year for the next 4 years! By coming together and supporting the “Forging New Pathways” initiative, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most for the next quarter century…

LEARN MORE ABOUT IT HERE: https://aha.memberclicks.net/donate-today

Donate to make a difference Donating to the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. would make a significant impact in the field of therapy and rehabilitation for individuals of all ages. By supporting our efforts, you would be contributing to the advancement of education and training for physical, occupational, and speech-lan...

Thanks for hosting our HTP PART II Skyline Therapy Services!

LAST CHANCE to register for Today's Lunch & Learn "Evaluating the Effects of Equine Conformation on Core Muscle Activation for use in Hippotherapy".

Attend Live at 12:00 p.m. (MT)! Can't attend live? DON'T WORRY- registering gets you access to the presentation recording!

American Hippotherapy Association