Who: Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC), a not-for-profit equestrian center that provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine-related programs for children and adults with special needs, will host occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology professionals from across the United States for the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. approved Level 1 Hippotherapy Treatment Principles certification training course.
Available for interviews:
- Carol Huegel, Training Facilitator (Physical Therapist, PATH, International Registered Therapist and Riding Instructor and Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist)
- Missy Lamont, NTRC Executive Director
- Mary Fellenz, Course Attendee (Occupational Therapist and NTRC Board Member)
What: This four-day certification course is an overview of the principles of hippotherapy, an evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to achieve functional outcomes. Once complete, licensed therapists will be certified to offer hippotherapy in their practice.
Attendees will learn the importance of the quality of the horse’s movement and body language in treatment, how to groom, tack and lead the therapy horse, recognize desirable conformation, soundness, movement quality, gaits, and understand training, conditioning and humane treatment of the therapy horse. Attendees will also explore the dynamic system of therapist, patient, horse handler and horse.
When: January 18 – 21, 2018*
*Best photo opportunities with horse interaction will be Friday and Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.
Where: Naples Therapeutic Riding Center’s new, state-of-the-art training facility, covered riding arena and equine therapy complex located at 206 Ridge Drive Naples, FL 34108
Why: Naples Therapeutic Riding Center recently underwent a $4 million capital expansion with the goal of expanding and adding programs, providing instructor and volunteer trainings and conducting research that will further the benefits of equine-assisted activities and therapy. This hippotherapy course is one of the wonderful outcomes made possible by this expansion.
This course is the first time it is being offered in Naples and will help launch NTRC’s hippotherapy program later in 2018 allowing local occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology professionals to offer this therapy in their practices. NTRC will be the only Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) accredited riding center in Collier County offering hippotherapy.
About Naples Therapeutic Riding Center
Established in 1995, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with a mission to improve the lives of children and adults with special needs through therapeutic riding and equine-related programs. With a dedicated staff and group of volunteers, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) Premier Accredited Center, provides therapeutic riding, equine- facilitated learning and equine-facilitated psychotherapy to more than 660 participants per year. Through fundraising efforts, the organization is able to provide this vital therapy to those who need the service most, regardless of income level. Services are provided in partnership through local non-profit organizations and physician referrals for individuals living with special needs and a range of emotional, learning and developmental disabilities. For more information on programs or volunteer opportunities, visit NaplesTherapeuticRidingCenter.org or call 239-596-2988.
