At the Stable Friendships Foundation, we offer a retreat where nature's touch and the spirit of our equine partners work hand in hand to foster healing and growth. Our diverse array of equine-assisted therapies and activities, alongside our innovative nature-based programs, provide a holistic path to wellness for individuals of all ages facing physical, emotional, social, and cognitive challenges.
Our foundation is dedicated to harnessing the therapeutic power of the natural world and the profound bond between humans and horses to enhance the lives of those with challenges. With a team of highly skilled professionals, including Hippotherapy Clinical Specialists, PATH International Registered Therapists, and PATH International Certified Equine Specialists in Mental Health & Learning , we craft personalized therapy programs, ground horsemanship, and nature-based interventions.
Before embarking on their journey with us, each client undergoes a thorough evaluation to tailor our services to their unique needs and aspirations. This commitment to personalized care ensures that we continually adapt and refine our programs to achieve optimal outcomes.
Beyond the arena, our programs extend to the tranquility of nature, where clients engage in Nature-Based Intervention through Exploration and our signature Finding Peace in the Paddock™. These sessions are designed to maximize sensory experiences and promote a deep connection with the natural world, enhancing physical well-being and emotional resilience.
Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) is physical, occupational, or speech therapy that may incorporate equine movement, non-mounted activities, and the equestrian environment.
Hippotherapy (HPOT) refers to how occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech language pathology professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement to engage sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems to achieve functional outcomes. In conjunction with the affordances of the equine environment and other treatment strategies, hippotherapy is part of a patient’s integrated plan of care. Hippotherapy is derived from the Greek word “hippo,” meaning horse.
According to research, horses can take up to 2,500 steps within a 30-minute clinical session. The effect on the client is 2,500 facilitatory steps - movements that help enhance and speed up their progress towards identified goals. This cannot be replicated in any other therapeutic setting.
Session Fees Individual sessions provided by a licensed OT, PT or SLP. $195/45 min
Intervention Through Exploration.
Our nature-based clinical sessions are designed for individual clients or small groups. They are led by one of our clinicians and involve activities focused on play and exploration on our farm. Using nature as our clinic allows us to address gross and fine motor goals for improvements in overall strength, postural control, balance, fine motor skills, and self-care skills in a fun and creative way. Instead of balancing on a balance beam, we might balance on a log. Instead of climbing a climbing wall, we might climb a tree. Instead of playing in a rice bin, we might play in the dirt.
The experience of repeatedly observing wildlife, noticing patterns, questioning behavior, and showing empathy for other living beings are all part of a rich learning experience that supports improvement in social emotional awareness, social participation, and cognitive awareness skills.
Session Fees: Individual sessions provided by a licensed OT, PT or SLP. $195/45 min
Trauma-informed physical therapy for those dealing with chronic pain and inflammation integrates a compassionate, holistic approach, emphasizing the deep connection between emotional trauma and physical health. In these sessions, therapists foster a safe, non-judgmental space. Each session is tailored to the individual, combining gentle movement, mindfulness, and body awareness practices alongside education on how trauma can impact the body. The focus is on building a trusting relationship, encouraging open communication, and empowering patients through collaborative goal-setting. This method aims to support not only physical recovery but also emotional healing, helping patients reclaim both strength and a sense of well-being. At Stable Friendships Foundation this is done in our hippotherapy and ground horsemanship Sessions and follows the Finding Peace in the Paddock™ model.
Session Fees: All sessions provided by a licensed physical therapist and are individual. $195/45 min
Developed by Stable Friendships co-founder, Melissa Jarzynski, this program can be implemented in both clinical and community-based settings. In line with research by Keeling (2009) & Gehrke (2010), we know that human heart rates can be influenced by equine heart rates and thus can create a calming effect in humans. In the ‘Finding Peace in the Paddock’ program, every session begins with meditation and trauma-informed stretching and then is followed by specially designed activities to allow the participants to have hands-on engagement with horses.
Research: A small sample case study was performed looking at how the program addressed stress in clients (2022). The Findings: A large impact was seen in the modified Face Pain Scale – a method for children to self-report the intensity of pain. In this case-study the results showed that pairing ground horsemanship with trauma- informed stretching can directly impact a participants’ physiological response to the activities; we are therefore addressing physical pain and dysfunction in a way that has not been attempted before.
Session Fees: All sessions provided by a licensed physical therapist and done in groups. $400/4 wks.
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