Shining Hope Farms

Written By Laurie Kehler
 

Horses can change lives

The miracles of hippotherapy

To be clear, it’s not “horse or equine therapy,” the official term is, hippotherapy.

What is hippotherapy?

  • Comes from the Greek word “hippos” meaning horse.

  • Used by physical, occupational and speech therapists as a treatment strategy

  • Treatment with the help of the horse’s movement.

  • Goal is to improve function (e.g. reaching, sitting, standing and walking)

When you combine a dedicated staff, with developmentally challenged children and patient horses, miraculous things can take place!

Shining Hope Farms is on the forefront of hippotherapy.

I visit the founder of Shining Hope Farms, Milinda Kirkpatrick, and chat with her and her lead occupational therapist Stephanie Piatt to discover the remarkable advances children and adults can make when they work with horses.

Part of the “equine staff,” Hamilton is a palomino rescue pony

Buddy is a red roan quarter horse who gets along with everybody

At Shining Hope Farms, they see what we would call “miracles” all the time. Kids arrive unable to lift their heads or walk unaided, to advance to running about with their heads held high. Some come in wheelchairs only to abandon them later. Others develop skills to cope with bullying and navigate life. It’s all part of the wonder that happens when you combine horses with kids.

Visit their website at: ShiningHopeFarms.org

Want to learn more about the natural world?

Read the latest book, Nature at Night!

Learn more about the book, “Nature at Night” and all the goodies that are included. You can read it in paperback, a full color paperback, ebook or listen to an audiobook (narrated by the author).

Have a look

Or maybe you want to read about more adventure?

With over 100 Amazon reviews, I think I can safely say you’ll enjoy this book. Filled with unique experiences in the great outdoors, and how we can see and hear God in the midst of it.

Check this out
 
 
 
Laurie Kehler
Next

Bats