Horse Handler for Hippotherapy
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Responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to: preparing the horse for the session, leading the horse during the session, putting the horse away after the session, and correctly cleaning and putting away tack and equipment.Qualifications: 16 years of age or olderAble to attend Horse Handler training and pass a Horse Handler competency checklist with guidance from staffAware of and comfortable with acceptable horse behavior and movementAble to communicate with therapists/instructors, volunteers, and other staff membersAble to react appropriately when handling the horse in a crisis situationAble to stand, bend, and walk with intermittent jogging for up to an hour at a time over uneven surfacesWilling to learn and follow DST procedures and policiesAble to accept constructive feedback and follow direction from DST staff membersAble to assume a leadership role with the horse, while keeping a nurturing attitude toward both the horse, rider, staff members, and other volunteersResponsibilities:Adhere to all DST policies and procedures.Arrive 30 minutes before the beginning of the scheduled session to bring horse to grooming area, groom, tack, and warm-up horse as required for the session.Alert therapist/instructor or equine staff member to any problems with condition of horse, tack, and any other concerns.Bring horse to session area at assigned time.Ensure safe behavior, attention, and responsiveness of the horse as directed by the therapist/instructor throughout the session.Untack, groom, and turnout horse as required following the session.
About DYNAMIC STRIDES THERAPY INC
Established in 2016 with patient services started in 2018, Dynamic Strides Therapy (DST) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving accessibility to pediatric therapy and providing children with quality occupational, physical, and speech therapies. Our patients receive unique treatment that combines traditional occupational, physical and speech therapies with therapeutic benefits of equine movement, a unique sensory gym, off-site aquatic therapy, and the compassionate support of skilled, certified therapists. Our mission is to empower children to achieve their maximum potential by providing accessibility to skilled therapy services in an integrated environment. The design of our organization helps us to continually work toward our mission of helping children achieve their maximum potential by providing skilled therapy services in an integrated environment.Dynamic Strides Therapy is the only therapy facility in the area to incorporate hippotherapy into children's therapy sessions. The term hippotherapy refers to how occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes.
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