Licensed Therapy Program |
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Exceptional Equestrians is currently offering licensed Physical and Occupational Therapy utilizing the equine as a therapy tool.
EE is extremely fortunate to be working with therapists Anne Cochran, Audrey Walters, Sandy Rafferty, Dana Kulik and Melanie Martin. Anne is Physical Therapist who has more than 20 years experience providing therapy using the equine. Audrey Walters is a Physical Therapist and life-long equestrian with a unique understanding of equine movement. Sandy Rafferty is an Occupational Therapy who is one of the founders of therapeutic riding with more than 45 years of experience. Dana Kulik is an Occupational Therapist Assistant and horse owner with more than 10 years of experience working with equines! Melanie Martin is an Occupational Therapist Assistant who actually interned with EE and loved it so much she came back to work here!
EE's licensed therapy program is most appropriate for clients who require targeted interventions. Participants in this program are NOT typically learning riding skills. They are receiving hands on physical and occupational therapy services utilizing the movement of the horse. We recommend that clients between the ages of two and four begin with EE in the licensed therapy program.
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 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. -American Hippotherapy Association, 2015.
EE is extremely fortunate to be working with therapists Anne Cochran, Audrey Walters, Sandy Rafferty, Dana Kulik and Melanie Martin. Anne is Physical Therapist who has more than 20 years experience providing therapy using the equine. Audrey Walters is a Physical Therapist and life-long equestrian with a unique understanding of equine movement. Sandy Rafferty is an Occupational Therapy who is one of the founders of therapeutic riding with more than 45 years of experience. Dana Kulik is an Occupational Therapist Assistant and horse owner with more than 10 years of experience working with equines! Melanie Martin is an Occupational Therapist Assistant who actually interned with EE and loved it so much she came back to work here!
EE's licensed therapy program is most appropriate for clients who require targeted interventions. Participants in this program are NOT typically learning riding skills. They are receiving hands on physical and occupational therapy services utilizing the movement of the horse. We recommend that clients between the ages of two and four begin with EE in the licensed therapy program.
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 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. -American Hippotherapy Association, 2015.
Meet our Therapists
Anne Cochran, PT HPCS
Anne grew up in Washington, Missouri and is a graduate of Maryville University with BS degrees in Physical Therapy and Science. Anne has experience in inpatient, outpatient and home health PT as well as over 20 years experience with the pediatric population specializing in hippotherapy as a treatment strategy. Anne is a PATH registered therapist and obtained her National Board Certification as a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist, HPCS in 2015. Anne has been a participating therapist for research studies in Hippotherapy with Washington University's School of Occupational Therapy. 
Audrey Walton, PT
Audrey was first involved with Exceptional Equestrians as a volunteer when she was young. She has since earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine and has enjoyed working in the therapy program at EE since 2019. Audrey specializes in the rehabilitation setting for spinal cord injury and brain injury rehabilitation and has experience working with many diagnosis including neurologic, cardiovascular, burns, and orthopedic injury rehabilitation. Audrey has grown up with horses and has two of her own. She enjoys training young horses and riding hunter/jumper and trail riding. |
Dana Kulick, COTA
Dana is a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant. Dana has been doing hippotherapy for 15 years. She loves being a part of helping individuals of all ages reach their fullest potential. Dana enjoys spending time with her family and taking care of all her animals. She believes animals can provide therapy for people in so many different ways! 
Sandy Rafferty, OT
Sandy was instrumental in the founding of Exceptional Equestrians in 1991. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Occupational Therapy and a Master of Arts in Special Education, and is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Advanced Instructor, Mentor, Evaluator and previous Board Member. Sandy’s is a PATH Int'l James Brady Award winner and a AHA Level 2 therapist. 
Melanie Martin, COTA
Melanie is the newest addition to our therapy team! Melanie completed her fieldwork at Exceptional Equestrians and really enjoyed pairing OT with horses! Melanie is a lifelong horse person who spent several years working in Colorado on a ranch. She has a background in early childhood education. When not at EE, Melanie can be found with her two horses! |
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