Spring Service Learning

This blog I chose to talk about our 'service learning' for our fieldwork class. There were several sites selected for the class to choose from and I chose to volunteer with Hippotherapy at Midnight Farms (outside Baldwin KS). I have volunteered with another Hippotherapy group in the KC area named HORSE (Helping Others Rehabilitate from Service Equine)- I Google'd it again to see if they were still operating and did not come across their group. The trek out to Midnight farms is a bit of a drive from KC (especially with the gas price fluctuations) but the experience and volunteering is worth the drive.

What is Hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy is not therapy with Hippos as it you might believe after breaking the word down. The word "hippos" in Greek actually means 'Horse' so it naturally termed 'horse therapy'.

Why did I chose Hippotherapy for service learning?
There are a couple reasons for why I chose this service learning site. First off, I am in awe of the power of the Horse and of the therapy process between the rider and the horse. The effect of hippotherapy is powerful in treatment as well. There are physiology studies of the rhythm of the horse that help with the physical healing through using the horse and then there are the social skills and ADL*'s that kids learn through working with the horse that is not always possible in different setting. These two factors alone intrigue me to learn more about the how and why such therapy is so powerful for the participants.

*ADL- Activity of Daily Living

VIDEOS: Here are some youtube videos of hippotherapy
3 min video- double amputee little girl that was never supposed to walk again and is taking steps

2 min video on soldier that lost her left leg when her humvee ran over an IEP


OTS THOUGHTS:
Since I volunteered prior to entering the program and now am volunteering again within the same role (a sidewalker) I have made it a priority to grow professionally through this experience. OT's help with building adaptive equipment and working on ADL's that include your basic living skills ie brush your teeth, comb your hair, get dressed as well as IADL's that include things like housework, meal preparation, and caring for pets. Hippotherapy has challenged me to think of adaptive equipment that would help the rider as well as think of reasons why animal (including horse) therapy is beneficial to the patient. Whether the participant has a physical or mental disability, the interaction between the horse and the participant creates a bond that is different between two humans. The bond is also different between a dog (for instance) and a human since you are physically riding the horse and relying on him not to buck you off through the therapy process. The therapeutic effect of therapy helps increase the participants ADL's, IADL's and social skills by interacting with another human as well as an animal to seek an end result or to take care of the animal.

CLO seems to be short on volunteers (as many not-for-profits are). If you would like more information on Hippotherapy visit the American Equestrian Alliance at http://www.americanequestrian.com/hippotherapy.htm or youtube it. For more information on volunteering with CLO and Hippotherapy at the Farm check out their website at http://www.clokansas.org/

School

Well as you have seen from my lack of posts that school, capstone project planning, wedding planning, and life have all filled my planner pretty full. I have just received the 1-minute AOTA update which gives OT's (and OTA's) and students some insight into what is going on with AOTA, politics, and new/best practices. I will read through it and type up some thoughts/ ideas from what I received. The one minute update is for AOTA members and I would highly recommend signing up for it (especially if you are busy like myself but want to stay in the loop of what is going on with OT as a profession.)

We defended our proposal to continue research in St. Lucia over spring break (and some of the researchers are collecting data right now.) The process of doing research has been interesting and complex at times. My group is doing amazing work and it will be interesting to see what data comes back from St. Lucia.

Our research group successfully navigated through an IRB proposal which is part of the research project to get approved to do research. I feel as though we presented to information clearly and as a group, we handled the questions that the review board had to ask.

This week I am in Pascagoula, MS for a baptism and although I would enjoy some time on the beach I have been studying in the hotel room for our upcoming tests and quizzes.

More pictures to come. Thanks for reading. Sorry for the long time between posts.

OT thoughts: Research is one area of OT that has had mixed reviews in talking with my classmates, but going through the process makes you appreciate what our profession is working on to create best practices. I have grown quite a bit since entering the program and have grown through the process of doing research.

Earlier this week I attended a support group for TBI - traumatic brain injury, as part of an assignment. The set up was interesting and I took some notes from some of the individuals on what they hoped to receive from their doctor and other practitioners.

We have been talking about the Denver assessment that we will be performing over the next several weeks. It will be interesting to see a child assessment in action.

-John