Bonnie Cunningham, MA, PT, HPCS
Bonnie is a licensed Physical Therapist in the states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Physical Therapy and Master of Public Administration. Bonnie is a PATH, Intl Registered Therapist, a PATH, Intl Certified Riding Instructor and Certified as a National Assessor for riders interested in competing in National Events and the Paralympics. Bonnie is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in hippotherapy, Coordinating Faculty for the American Hippotherapy Association, has taught internationally and presented at national conferences. Bonnie is practicing physical therapy using hippotherapy treatment strategies in private practice. Bonnie is a past president of AHA, Inc. and served as the first Executive Director.
Special Strides
118 Federal Road
Monroe NJ 08831
732.446.0945
732.446.5391 Fax
How does a Therapist use Equine Movement?
Therapists using equine movement include physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists. They combine equine movement and traditional therapy techniques (i.e. NDT, PNF, task-oriented motor learning, and sensory integration) in an integrated treatment plan to achieve functional outcomes.
When utilizing hippotherapy treatment strategies, the patient engages in interventions designed to challenge balance, increase stability, integrate sensory information and interact with the environment. In this controlled therapy environment, the therapist directs the horse’s movement and carefully grades the sensory input. In a PT, OT or Speech treatment session which incorporates hippotherapy as one of the treatment strategies the patient benefits from a foundation which is established through the movement of the horse to improve neurological function and sensory processing. This foundation can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities.
Therapists in the United States have used the movement of the horse for treatment since the 1970's and it is currently utilized in 24 countries around the world.
For Directions to Special Strides please see our website:
Level 1 Hippotherapy Treatment Principles
This first day concentration on the horse includes principles of horse management, equine movement and the importance of conformation. This is primarily a hands-on, non-mounted activity for the hippotherapy treatment team. Participants will work with horses in teams of two to four, with a faculty/student ratio of 1:15, allowing an opportunity for supervised learning, practice and feedback in equine skills.
Emphasis on interpreting the body language of the horse, recognizing desirable conformation, soundness, movement qualities and gaits of the horse as well as signs of burnout. Included activities are grooming, tacking, leading, ground handling as well as kind and humane treatment of the horse.
Days two through four build on the first day’s equine skills.Participants will explore the dynamic system of therapist, patient, horse handler and horse as it applies in implementation of hippotherapy treatment strategies. Course objectives include: History and development of HPOT, understanding the horse’s movement and the interaction of horse/human, horse suitability, appropriate horse handling, equipment selection, safety principles, patient and horse selection, precautions and contraindications, patient evaluation, maximizing the effects of equine movement (including school figures and movement progression), the role of the HPOT team members, business aspects, and current research.
The curriculum may be utilized only under conditions set forth by AHA, Inc.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Name: ______
Address: ______
City/ State/ Zip: ______
Phone: ______
Email: ______
Height: ______Weight: ______(This information is needed for mounted practicum) If your weight exceeds 180 lbs. you will be excused from this portion.
*AHA, Inc. Member#______
If you are not currently a member but wish to take advantage of the member rate please contact the AHA Inc. office at 720-369-9303
*Copy of your membership certificate required
*Copy of your Intro to Equine Skills certificate required
*Breakfast and lunch are provided.
Profession & License # ______
I am a - Circle one: PATH,Intl. Instructor / Horse handler / Administrator/Other______
Early registration on or before June 1, 2015
_____ $750 for AHA, Inc. Member
______$875for Non-AHA, Inc. Member
After June 1, 2015 rate
_____ $800for AHA, Inc. Member
______$925for Non-AHA, Inc. Member
__ Check __ Charge
Name on Card______
Exp. Date ______Security Code______
Billing zip code _____
Important Information
****Certificates of attendance with contact hours will be provided to all participants to submit to their individual professional organizations for continuing education credit. 27 contact hours are available for this course. Courses are not “pre-approved”.
****Cancellation Policy: AHA, Inc. and the host facility reserve the right to adjust program dates, times and faculty to accommodate unforeseen circumstances; we will only notify advanced registrants of any program changes. Neither AHA, Inc. nor the host facility is responsible for any expenses incurred by registrants due to such adjustments. AHA, Inc. and the host facility reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances up to 2 weeks prior to start of the course. If a participant wishes to cancel; cancellation notices must be provided in writing from participants up to 2 weeks priorto the course start date to receive a refund minus a $50 administrative fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations received within two weeks prior to the start of the course.
****Prerequisite for the course is the successful completion of an online “Intro to Equine Skills” test reviewing equine care and management. Completion of the course must be at least 2 weeks prior to the start of this course. Failure to complete the test successfully 2 weeks before the first day of the Level I course can result in the forfeiture of part or all of the registration fees as well as denial of attendance at the course.Visit the AHA, Inc. website under “Course Schedule” to purchase.
.The curriculum may be utilized only under conditions set forth by AHA, Inc.