Date of Award

2000

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Peggy Mohr

Keywords

Horses; Hippotherapy

Abstract

Hippotherapy is fast becoming a treatment option for today's therapists. Recent efforts in rehabilitation have focused on emphasizing the "multidisciplinary team" approach, involving occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathologists as well as including members of the family in the clinic's treatment process. Hippotherapy is the way in which these disciplines can easily be combined, as well as including the family in an educational as well as exciting treatment program for clients. This study will review a wide source of literature addressing the definition and process of hippotherapy and the physiological components of the program. Indications, contraindications and precautions for this activity with regards to specific diagnosis will be discussed. Following this review of the current literature, the reader will be familiar with the process of hippo therapy, its potential benefits, the standards of practice and the governing body for these practices, and become aware of how to access further information regarding certification as well. More importantly, the reader will gain an understanding of the ways in which hippotherapy, used as a modality, can be incorporated into a multidisciplinary treatment program focusing on a number of activities during the same session. By incorporating a host of treatments using one modality into a rehabilitation program, today's therapists are able to focus on the idea of treating the whole person and provide as complete a service as possible to both the patient and their families.

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