Hippotherapy or Therapeutic Riding???

Hippotherapy is completed by a professional therapist (occupational therapist, physical therapist, or speech therapist), as well as a professional horse handler. Hippotherapy uses the horse and its movement as a tool to work on the child's balance, muscle tone, posture, coordination, attention, strength, endurance, body organization, and works to improve sensory processing. In hippotherapy, the child works with a therapist at all times and the treatment typically occurs year round until the child meets discharge criteria.
Therapeutic riding is completed by a professional horseback riding instructor with volunteers. A therapist may be involved as a consultatnt. There is occasional hands on assistance. Therapeutic riding works to provide social, education, and sport opportunities for children with disabilities while also improving the child's strength and endurance. Therapeutic riding is often taught in groups. The focus during the groups is to emphasize proper riding positioning and rein skills.

For more information on locations here in Minnesota:

http://majestichillsranch.com/

http://www.wecanride.org/locations.php

http://www.mnhorsecouncil.org/disabled-riding.php

Social Skills Groups

Boost! Learning Enrichment Programs will once again be offering social skills groups and camps throughout the summer. Boost! was found to support families and children with unique learning needs. The social skills groups summer session begins June 13 and goes through August 22nd. Social skills groups will be formed for children from preschool age through middle and high school. The groups meet one evening a week for 60 minutes over a 10 week summer session.Camps meet for four days and have a variety of kid friendly themes.
For more information, check out their website!
http://boostlearningenrichment.com/blog/