Full Circle Equine Centered Activities Inc

Programs: Hippotherapy - equine assisted therapy (eat), which includes hippotherapy, is the use of a horse by physical, occupational, or speech therapists as an integrated strategy to treat specific neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions in a non-clinical setting. By providing multidimensional movement and a dynamic base of support, the horse becomes an invaluable tool when facilitating improvement of core strength, motor control, balance, posture, endurance, motor planning, receptive/expressive language, sensory processing and attention skills. By modulating the horse's movement, a therapist can elicit various responses from their client. When a client improves their functional abilities and their motivation is high, an ideal opportunity is presented to transition that client to a therapeutic riding program where the learning of "real" riding skills can add a new and exciting dimension to their lives. In 2013, full circle served an average of 12 clients per week for 20 weeks.

therapeutic riding - in therapeutic riding, children and adults with special needs come together with their team to experience a recreational activity. Therapeutic riding is taught as an adapted sport where participants learn the rules of a sport, the techniques of horsemanship, and methods of controlling their bodies to make the human and horse interaction meaningful. For individuals with impaired mobility, riding rhythmically moves their bodies in a manner similar to a human walking gait contributing to increased balance, mobility, coordination and physical strength. While mastering the skills necessary to ride successfully, attention, concentration, learning and verbal skills are further enhanced. The result is the combination of learning a rewarding activity while attaining the best physical and functional levels possible. In 2013, full circle served an average of 10 riders per week for 20 weeks in private sessions. In addition, full circle served 18 clients in 3 group sessions per week for 16 weeks.

heal - equine assisted psychotherapy (eap) involves equine activities as part of a psychotherapy session conducted by a licensed mental health counselor in collaboration with an equine specialist in mental health and learning. The focus of eap is the client's reactions and behavior through the process of interacting with the horse. Eap can be used to better deal with trauma and loss, develop a sense of self, increase levels of trust, establish boundaries and create awareness of the needs of living creatures through responsible care of the horse. In 2013, full circle served an average of 15 clients as part of heal (hospice equine assisted loss) in a one day seminar and 20 individuals with dementia and their care givers as part of 5 sessions for the alzheimers association.