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/