Equine Assisted Therapy at Orchardview Stables

In this episode, The Knowbodies are happy to sit down with a Pittsburgh local organization, Orchardview Stables. We sit down with Tessa Maxwell, Katie Bunn, and Mary Kay Soergel of Orchardview Stables to talk about the incredible services offered by the stables as well as some of the personal stories that brought all of these caring specialists together.   Some of the key points that we cover in today’s episode:   The foundation of the Equine Assisted Therapy and Adaptive Riding programs at Orchardview. Some of the personal stories that brought Tessa (a special education needs specialist) and Katie (a Physical Therapist specializing in pediatric care) together to collaborate in equine assisted care. What is Hippotherapy vs. Equine Assisted Therapeutic Riding? What do these services entail and what kind of riders do Tessa and Katie work with on a daily basis. Katie breaks down some of the specific elements of therapeutic horse riding including the mechanics of the horse pelvic motion and its affect on postural response, rhythmic movement and posturing for spastic muscle tone, and the unique emotional bond that stems from a close human-animal relationship throughout the course of a therapy. Some personal stories of incredible relationships forged between some of the riders and the therapy horses. Getting to know the Orchardview Staff (horses too!) and some of their responsibilities around the stable. A CALL TO ACTION! – Orchardview offers their services to a broad range of participants and riders at little to no cost! Their non-profit “Orchardview Stables” helps fund their services and upkeep for the horses so that they can continue to provide excellent care without devastating costs to riders. Orchardview thrives through the volunteer support of the community. They offer simple training to all volunteers (from enthusiasts to students to therapists!) in basic horse care and how to aid the riders during their therapy sessions. The therapeutic riders could HUGELY benefit from an overhead lift system to help assist riders onto horseback. The non-profit has already established applications for grants and if you have any information or connections that may help contribute please reach out to the instructors at Orchardview Stables or ourselves at The Knowbodies and we will make it happen!   For more information please check out the website at Orchardviewstables.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities or how you can help contribute to an incredible non-profit run by a family organization that cares and work their butts off for their riders!