AHA Level I Workshop 2012

Equine Skills - May 23 & 24
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Treatment Principles - May 24 (evening), 25 & 26
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AHA Level I Registration Form | AHA Level I Course Brochure

CTRC is always delighted to open up our facility and share our excellent staff and therapy herd with therapist interested in pursuing a career in our industry. We proudly support members of the therapeutic industry and strive to provide comprehensive education and training.

Karen Gardner, a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist, past President and former Board member of the American Hippotherapy Association, PATH Intl. Master Level Instructor and Driving instructor, will join us as Faculty for the AHA workshop May 23-26.

Equine Skills
This course is mandatory to be eligible for PATH Intl. Registered Therapist status. However, therapists may waive the Level I Equine Skills course if they have documentation of horse skills such as:
o Pony Club Levels o USDF Bronze Medal
o PATH Intl. Certified Riding Instructor
o o CHA Instructor

An attendee must complete a waiver form (provided by The AHA Coordinating Faculty) signed by a horse professional, showing basic equine skills. It must then be submitted to the AHA Coordinating Faculty teaching the course prior to the course for approval.

This 1 1/2 day hands-on course targets therapists with minimal to no horse experience in non-mounted equine skills. Participants will work with horses in teams of two to four, with a faculty/student ratio of 1:6, allowing an opportunity for demonstration, practice and individualized feedback and instruction. The curriculum may be utilized only under conditions set forth by AHA, Inc.

Intended Audience: Anyone who is interested in how to care, groom, tack up, and lead a horse. This course is open to the beginner volunteer, instructor, parent, therapist, administrator or anyone in your program who does not have horse knowledge and wants to learn the basic skills and care of the horse.

Course Objectives Include:

•	Correctly interpret the "body language" of the horse. Identify and name key anatomical points of the horse.
•	Recognize elements of desirable conformation of the horse.
•	Identify, describe the function of, and demonstrate proper use of grooming equipment.
•	Identify key parts of the horse's tack.
•	Demonstrate safe and proper tacking and un-tacking of a horse.
•	Recognize and describe the four natural gaits of the horse.
•	Recognize desirable qualities of the horse's movement.
•	Recognize unsoundness in a moving horse.
•	Recognize the signs of stress/burnout in the horse.
•	Demonstrate safe, correct leading techniques with basic school figures.
•	Demonstrate kind and humane treatment of the horse at all times.

Treatment Principles
This 2 1/2 day course is designed for entry level therapists utilizing hippotherapy as a treatment strategy and those in or working with hippotherapy teams. Hands on practicums are available in this course. It can be attended by graduate occupational, speech and physical therapists. Horse handlers and riding instructors who are members of the Hippotherapy Team are encouraged to attend. They must attend with the treating therapist on their team. The curriculum may be utilized only under conditions set forth by AHA, Inc.

Intended Audience: PT, PTA's , OT, COTA's, and SLP's interested in learning about HPOT, those already working in HPOT and want to learn the basic applications. PT, PTA's, OT, COTA's, and SLP's and their HPOT Team, Graduate Students in PT, OT and SLP.

Course Objectives include:

•	Know and understand the definition of Hippotherapy.
•	Understand how the horse's movement affects human systems - A System's Approach.
•	Describe possible responses of a patient to the movement of the horse's walk.
•	Describe the unique contributions of the horse's movement as a treatment strategy and potential benefit for the patient.
•	Understand the importance of the hippotherapy horse's suitability and movement.
•	Describe the appropriate methods of horse handling during a hippotherapy session.
•	Describe the selection and use of hippotherapy equipment for the horse and patient.
•	Identify all factors that contribute to safety in the hippotherapy session.
•	Identify key considerations for patient selection for hippotherapy including specific contraindications and precautions.
•	Describe the key elements of patient evaluation and treatment planning.
•	Describe methods of maximizing effects of hippotherapy, including school figures and movement progressions.
•	Describe safe methods of transitioning on and off the horse.
•	Have a working knowledge of potential emergencies and appropriate procedures.
•	Describe the roles of the hippotherapy team members.
•	Understand the business aspects related to hippotherapy including documentation, record keeping, reimbursement issues and insurance.
•	Demonstrate kind and humane treatment of the horse at all times.

If you are interested in attending or have any questions about the upcoming AHA workshop, please contact Loraine O'Keefe, Program Director, or call 303-652-9131.