Why Hippotherapy?

My name is Kelly Peterson and I am here to say that Hippotherapy (in addition to regular therapy methods) really works. Hippo is Greek for horse so Hippotherapy means treatment with the help of the horse (or pony). As a trained side walker I have seen miraculous progress for children using walkers and wheelchairs during and after Hippotherapy sessions.  Parents and caregivers tell us about further progress at home.  For example, one caregiver told us "Her balance has improved so much that she does not get shaky when she is in tricky situations like getting out of her chair.  She does it alone." As a team we saw this rider and others consistently improve balance, increase their ability to walk, begin to talk, boost self-confidence, giggle and smile all while building core muscles.  The repetitive motion created in a riding session is not able to be reproduced in the same manner with the same success anywhere else. Meanwhile, riders have so much fun they do not even know how hard they are working!  For research results and more information visit www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org.  Click the button below for my personal and professional connection to the riders and families we serve.