What is Gaitway Therapy?
Gaitway Therapy is a physical therapy private practice that offers equine-assisted physical therapy. Gaitway was founded in 2003 by Renee Casady, physical therapist.
What is Hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy is not therapy for hippopotami! Hippo literally means horse in greek, Hippotherapy is treatment with the help of a horse. Physical, occupational and speech therapists use hippotherapy as a treatment strategy to improve the function and quality of life in many children and adults with disabilities. At Gaitway, the therapist uses hippotherapy to improve posture, balance, or movement dysfunction. During treatment, the therapist positions the patient on the therapy horse and directs the horse's movements. The physical therapist at Gaitway will integrate principles of nero-motor facilitation, strengthening and stretching to produce specific outcomes for each individual client. The therapist is aided by horse handlers and side-walkers. Team members control the therapy tool (the horse), as well as the safety of the patient. They allow the therapist to focus attention on the patient and facilitate normal movement or interactions. Only carefully trained, mature horses are used for hippotherapy.
What qualifies therapists to do hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy is not something that therapists or assistants come out of school knowing how to practice. Licensed therapists or assistants can attend continuing education courses to learn the principles and techniques of effective hippotherapy since it is rare and unlikely for accredited universities to devote curriculum to equip therapists to do hippotherapy. Those who are interested in hippotherapy are advised to investigate and consider attending the weekend classes offered through the American Hippotherapy Association. In reality, most involved in hippotherapy spend only a portion of their time doing hippotherapy and actually work primarily in more traditional settings such as in clinics, hospitals or schools. There are a few full-time therapy practices devoted to equine-assisted therapy in the USA, but not very many.
What are some achievements of Gaitway’s founding therapist?
A 1983 graduate of Ithaca College, Renee Casady PT MS HPCS has a broad background in orthopedic, neurological and pediatric patient-care. She specializes in therapy for children with mild to severe physical motor delays and dysfunction. Renee completed the PT master of science degree thesis at the Ohio State University in 2002 with a research study on the effects of hippotherapy for children with cerebral palsy. The results of this study are published in the fall 2004 issue of Pediatric Physical Therapy and was recently a poster presentation at the 2005 APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Renee is a board certified hippotherapy clinical specialist, certified NARHA riding instructor and a past board member of the American Hippotherapy Association, former chair of the AHA research committee. Renee currently volunteers on the Scientific Advisory Panel of the Horses and Humans Foundation. She is a frequent presenter at regional as well as national AHA and NARHA conferences. Renee is willing to travel abroad to speak since her fabulous experience in Brazil at the 2006 FRDI conference and is now looking forward to presenting on the topic of research efforts in hippotherapy in Edinburgh, Scotland June 2009.
VIEW VITAE - Renee Casady PT MS HPCS
Accomplishments of the Founder
Why use a horse?
Children respond particularly well to hippotherapy. Many of these children will be in therapies throughout their lives. Kids don't look at being on a horse the same way they look at being in the clinic. This is therapy that is fun.
The "therapy rider" experiences rhythmic up-down, side-side, forward-back motions which facilitate postural reacts and leg, hip, back, shoulders and arm movement. Because the horse moves the riders' body and pelvis in a manner that mirrors the human gait, coupled with traditional therapy, riders with physical disabilities show improvement in flexibility, balance, and muscle strength
Benefits of hippotherapy abound on many levels: physical, psychological and emotional. Emotional bonding with a horse is gratifying to both children and adults, clients are motivated to do well. The realization of being astride a beautiful horse builds self-confidence and dreams are realized far beyond the confines of a disability.
Who can benefit from Hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy is considered an effective treatment method by physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists. If you or your child is receiving habilitation or rehabilitation services from one of these professionals, find out if they think that hippotherapy will be of benefit. Hippotherapy is used to treat children and adults with everything from cerebral palsy to learning disabilities. Hippotherapy complements therapies done in schools, hospitals or clinics. Goals of hippotherapy are to improve function off of the horse. Physical Therapy goals such as: postural control, crawling, sitting balance, reaching, standing, walking, jumping all require motor planning and sensorimotor function that are helped after hippotherapy.
What is the difference between Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Horseback Riding Lessons?
Many disabled persons can benefit from being on a horse. Some people with disabilities ride recreationally with the help of trained volunteers, but this is therapeutic horseback riding or equine-assisted activities conducted by a riding instructor. This is recreational enjoyment of horseback riding. The expertise and credentials of a riding instructor permit them to teach riding lessons, not do therapy.
