American Hippotherapy Association
To educate and promote excellence in the field of Equine Assisted Therapy.
AHA, Inc is recognized as part of the international community that provides education, facilitates research and promotes Equine Assisted Therapy as an effective treatment strategy that improves the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
FAQs for Family members
My current PT (or OT, or SLP) recommended hippotherapy, what exactly does that mean?
The term hippotherapy 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 as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes.
Best practice dictates that occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology professionals integrate hippotherapy into the patient’s plan of care, along with other therapy tools and/or strategies.
Are there hippotherapists in the U.S.A.?
The term “hippotherapist” is not used in the United States. Individuals are identified by their profession of licensure: OT, PT, SLP. For example, Andrea is a physical therapist who incorporates hippotherapy into her clinical practice. Refer to the American Hippotherapy Certification Board (AHCB) website for information on how to become a certified therapist utilizing hippotherapy in your practice. www.hippotherapycertification.org
Who can provide therapy services that include hippotherapy?
Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Speech Language Pathologist Assistants who have received specialized post graduate continuing education training through taking the AHA Inc. Part I and Part II (Foundation courses) would be the best at providing these services in the USA. Therapists who take AHA, Inc. courses are taught the principles, application and clinical decision skills to apply skillfully manipulated equine movement (hippotherapy) a plan of care for a patient.