2020 Fall Conference - Hippotherapy 101
PT member | login required | $90.00 |
PTA member | login required | $75.00 |
PTA non-member and other professional | $110.00 | |
Life member | login required | $40.00 |
Student member | $40.00 |
Description
Hippotherapy 101 - Audience will gain a brief history and introduction to Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA)
as well as a description of programs offered, including staff, volunteer and horse requirements. Listeners will learn how we have grown from 2 programs to 7 and why we aren’t done yet! You will learn what is required of a therapist in this practice setting as well as how to get started in hippotherapy including credentialing bodies, what to look for in a collaborative program and equipment needs. Presenters will also review documentation and goals for this practice area as well as funding and payment for services. Audience will also gain understanding of how to partner with horses in a therapy team. Information will be presented about how the psychology and biomechanics of the horse impacts treatment and why they are such valuable team members. Listeners will also learn the importance of horse selection and proper training and conditioning.
About The Speaker(s)
Speakers’ Bios:
Katherine Smith completed her BS degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Kansas. After
working in hospitals, nursing homes and private therapy clinics, she found the perfect job combining therapy
and her love of horses. HETRA, or Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy became a passion for
Katherine on the first day back in 1995. Having just purchased her first horse a year prior, she became involved
with HETRA as a side walker and quickly joined Edye Godden, OTR/L in treating children with disabilities
using horses. Edye is now the CEO and Katherine is the Program Manager for this non-profit organization.
HETRA now provides services to all ages and people of all abilities. Katherine has completed the American
Hippotherapy Association Level I and II courses, has maintained certification as a therapeutic riding instructor
for many years, and received ESMHL certification several years ago. Katherine spends most of her time in the
barn with the Therapy Services participants utilizing Hippotherapy.
Diane Bemis joined the HETRA team in 2006. She became a PATH, Intl. certified instructor in 2012. She has
a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. Diane has also completed the American Hippotherapy Level 1
and Level 2 Courses.
Edye Godden started with at HETRA in 1991 as a volunteer while finishing her Occupational Therapy Degree
from Creighton University and was certified as an instructor in 1995. She has attended the American
Hippotherapy Level 1 and Level 2 Courses, and received her Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist Certification in
2016. In 2007 Edye was awarded the PATH, Intl. Region 7 Instructor of the Year Award. In 2013 Edye received
the “Caring for Others” award from Woodmen of the World. Edye has presented numerous times at the PATH,
Intl. Region 7 Conference, most recently presenting on posture and position corrections for the Certified Riding
Instructor in 2016. Edye’s favorite hobby is being a horse show mom to her two girls and occasionally doing a
little showing herself. She loves taking care of her many dogs, cats and horses at home all of whom seem to
be high maintenance and require lots of TLC. She especially enjoys teaching her dog Quincy fun new tricks!
Shelby Winnail serves as HETRA’s Equine Operations Manager. Shelby grew up riding and showing American
Quarter Horses and in a barn where adaptive riding and equine therapy services were being offered every day.
Upon graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, she took a full-time position at Heartland Equine
Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA). She has since become a PATH Intl. CTRI, ESMHL, Mentor and is the
current Nebraska State Representative. Shelby loves working hands on with participants and volunteers, but
her passion lies with the horses. Shelby is driven by building and maintaining a therapy herd that is “healthy,
happy, sane and sound”.
Kaiti King is an occupational therapist with a background in pediatric clinical therapy, focusing primarily on
sensory dysfunction and behavior modification. She obtained her doctorate degree from Creighton University,
completing her capstone research on “Animal Assisted Therapy’s Impact on Functional Participation”. She is
a clinical practitioner in hippotherapy and is currently working toward her certification as a Certified Riding
Instructor.