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Kennedy
Kennedy makes strides in her development through Rocky Bay’s hippotherapy program.
Hippotherapy is a treatment tool that can be utilised as part of physical therapy in which a therapist uses the movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input.
The rhythmic, repetitive motion of the horse provides a unique sensory experience, helping individuals like Kennedy develop balance, strength and coordination.
The story continues...
Kennedy, who is non-speaking, has been accessing Rocky Bay’s services for over two years, and her mother, Casey highlights the effect hippotherapy intervention has had on her daughter’s confidence and abilities.
“At first, Kennedy was hesitant to even get on the horse,” Casey said.
“But now she runs toward Sunny and is eager to participate.
“She’s become more independent, confident and physically stronger,” Casey said.
Using the movement of the horse as a therapeutic tool, Kennedy has made progress in areas such as muscle strength, balance and social interaction.
“She used to rely on us holding her hand in every new situation,” Casey said.
“Now she’s interacting confidently with volunteers and exploring new routines on her own,” Casey explained.
How we helped
Rocky Bay Physiotherapist Ellen explains how Key Word Sign is incorporated into Kennedy’s sessions to support her comprehension and ability to communicate.
“We ask Sunny to go,stop, go faster, if she would like ‘more’ time on Sunny or to ‘finish,’” Ellen said.
“We say hello and greet everyone. We say ‘thank you’ to volunteers after the session. We model and talk about what we are doing—for example, that Sunny is eating the carrots she feeds him,” Ellen said.
“Kennedy has become more confident both on and around the horses,” Ellen said.
“While seated on Sunny, she has started to be able to correct herself to midline if she becomes unbalanced or slides to the left or right.
“Her gait pattern while running has improved and she is going up and down stairs with more confidence and less support,” Ellen said.
The horse has played an important role in Kennedy’s development. The horse provides rhythmic movements with high repetition, varying speed, direction and amplitude.
This movement requires Kennedy to practice righting reactions, maintain her posture and adapt to the horse’s movement which has translated to gains in her gross motor skills. “This helps her practice her balance reactions that she utilises when running, doing stairs, climbing, etc. It’s highly motivating and engaging and provides organic opportunities for social interaction,” Ellen explained.
Casey describes the program as a safe, engaging space for Kennedy.
“She loves being outdoors, and this program has created an environment where she feels safe and happy,” Casey said.
As Kennedy continues her journey, her family and the volunteers at RDA Bullsbrook Valley Farm look forward to seeing how far she can go.
There is still one Hippotherapy spot left, head here to find out how to enquire: https://www.rockybay.org.au/services/health-wellness/hippotherapy/
A few words
She’s become more independent, confident and physically stronger
- Casey, Kennedy's Mum
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