SuperPizzaBoy is doing something new. Hippotherapy, defined in this article as:
“…using the horse as a treatment tool to accomplish therapeutic objectives such as improving balance, strength and motor coordination in providing autism teaching strategies to develop motor and other skills in students with autism. Unlike therapeutic riding, therapists do not focus on teaching riding skills…”
He is taking it at the Rogers State University “Bit by Bit” program. Read more about it here.
Last night was his third class and the only the first I attended. There were about five kids of varying age in the class. Each child had a horse and was attended to by two to four volunteers. The class was led by a therapist who had the kids do various exercises and maneuvers on their horses.
Let me just say, there were lots of smiles.
I’m a fan of Bit by Bit.
What a wonderful idea. I am sure that there were smiles on every face.
What a great program, I can see why there would be a lot of smiles. It seems it would also be a good way to introduce an appreciation for horses too.
I’m glad the article explained why it was called hippotherapy because I didn’t connect it with a horse.
☼ Sunny
What a wonderful opportunity for your son and the other kids. There’s a place near Bartlesville that offers theraputic riding. I’ve heard good things about it too.
Awesome!
There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~Winston Churchill
Fantastic program! And I can well imagine the smiles! How fun for everyone! I do like Ellen’s quote by Churchill, being a horse lover myself and having owned several when my kids were growing up. These types of programs are fantastic and I’m so glad you have one available there in Tulsa! Hope you all have a great day!
Sylvia
Rogers State? Excellent!
I never fail to be impressed with SPB! Now he can add horseman to his list of accomplishments. (Soon he’ll be wanting one of his own, Yogi!) This looks like a wonderful therapeutic program.
Horses are wonderful animals. Horses and dogs are God’s gift to mankind.
I’m so glad you spotlighted that program. They are wonderful.
I’m petrified of horses. They hate me.
Looks like a wonderful experience. Maybe this would be a good thing for my nephew.
I know a few people who work in this business and it really works. They are still trying to figure out how animals can calm the restless soul. Good for SPB.
I think my friend, Kristin, may be a coordinator or therapist or something there.
I love this and I’m so happy that SPB gets to do it!
Beautiful story. There are some fabulous volunteers in this world.
Looks like a great idea! This kind of therapy makes a lot of sense to me. I’m sure super boy will benefit from it a lot, and meanwhile, it’s fun!
This sounds like a wonderful program. Every kid ought to have the opportunity to ride a horse. I’m glad SPB found Bit by Bit.