MIlestones
37 Woodlake Drive
Thiells, NY 10984
phone: (201)707-7634
fax: (845) 786-2082
Hippotherapy and Equine Facilitated Program General Guidelines
Hippotherapy: “ a term that refers to the use of the movement of the horse as a tool by the Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Speech/Language Pathologist to address impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities in patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. This tool is used as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes.” (American Hippotherapy Association, 2000)
Following are the general guidelines we follow in our program. If you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Please sign, date, and return the attached acknowledgement with your application packet.
· All therapists are NYS certified and licensed. All instructors are PATH certified in teaching therapeutic riding.
· Trained volunteers assist therapists and instructors to ensure the rider’s safety.
· Participants must be 2 years old or older.
· Weight of participant cannot exceed 200lbs. secondary to the size of the horses. Non-riding options are available.
· Therapists will work closely with participants and families to determine goals after initial screening and throughout first session. Goals may be modified when appropriate.
· Participants are required to complete all forms in application packet especially a current medical/physician statement of consent.
· Prescriptions are required for Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.
· A treatment session is 30 minutes in length and begins once participant enters the ring or is initiated by therapist in outside ring activities if appropriate. Please plan to arrive 5 minutes prior to your session. Sessions start and end promptly on the ½ hour.
· The cost of Hippotherapy is $105/session. We pride ourselves in offering the least expensive baseline price for our program. Due to fundraising efforts throughout the year we are able to further minimize your cost. We will have our final figure before the initiation of the semester, but in the past we have been able to deduct between $30.00-$40.00 off the cost/session.
· We do not accept insurance.
· Participants will be provided with a weekly bill to be paid upon receipt and which then can be submitted to their private insurance company for possible reimbursement. This is solely the responsibility of the participant/parent/legal guardian. Midway through our program you will receive copies of session notes 1-5 and at the end of the program, session notes 6-10. It is your responsibility to keep receipts and session notes for your records. From past experience we have learned that receipts and session notes are required by some insurance companies.
· There is a required 24 hour notice of any cancellations. There will be a $50 charge for any cancellations that occur with less than 24 hour notice. Please call Milestones at: 201-707-7634 if you need to cancel.
· Phone calls will be made to participants secondary to cancellations due to inclement weather, but please note that sessions are usually held rain or shine since we have access to the indoor arena.
· Proper attire must be worn by participants: pants, shirt, closed shoes (preferably with heel), approved riding helmet. We do have some helmets on site. A bicycle helmet is suitable.
· Be aware that there are existing contraindications to Hippotherapy.
· Disruptive, inappropriate, or unsafe behaviors may be considered a contraindication.
· It is the participant’s/parent’s/legal guardian’s obligation to inform our team immediately if there are any changes in the participant’s condition.
· All children/siblings or friends of participants who cause a distraction or problem will be asked to leave. All children need to be accompanied by an adult for safety. Please respect the grounds.
Milestones
37 Woodlake Drive
Thiells, NY 10984
phone: (201)707-7634
fax: (845) 786-2082
Equine Liability Waiver
Participation in equine activities involves the possibility of inherent risks including but not limited to:
· The propensity of the equine to behave in ways that may result in injury, death, or loss to persons on or around the equine; this includes activities such as riding, tacking, grooming, or being in the proximity to an equine.
· The unpredictability of an equine’s reaction to sounds, sudden movement, unfamiliar objects, persons, or other animals; any of these may cause a horse to buck, rear, bolt, kick, bite, or run.
· Hazards, including, but not limited to, surface or subsurface condition; which could cause a horse to stumble, trip, fall.
· A collision with another equine, another animal, a person, or an object;
The potential of an equine activity to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury, death, or loss to the person or other persons including but not limited to failing to maintain control over an equine or failing to act within the ability of the participant.
· The risks involved with equine activities can result in serious injury or death from falling, being bitten, kicked or knocked over by a horse.
· Milestones, Full Circle, Ramapo Equestrian Center, its successors, assigns, affiliates, directors, officers, therapists, instructors, volunteers, employees and agents are released and discharged from any and all liabilities, claims, lawsuits, losses, costs, causes of action and damages of any kind originating or in any way arising from my/their participation in such equine activities.
Milestones
37 Woodlake Drive
Thiells, NY 10984
phone: (201)707-7634
fax: (845) 786-2082
Hippotherapy and Equine Facilitated Program General Guidelines
Equine Liability Waiver
Acknowledgements
I ______, declare that the terms of the Hippotherapy and
(participant/parent/legal guardian)
Equine Facilitated General Guidelines and Equine Liability Waiver have been read, fully understood, and are voluntarily accepted for the purposes of my participation/ my child’s participation in the Hippotherapy and Equine Facilitated Program.
______
Printed Name
______
Signature Date