Rocking Horse Rehab
A Pediatric Rehab and Family Wellness Center
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Read on to find out what's happening at Rocking Horse Rehab!
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Stay connected:
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Message of the Month
by Elizabeth Belfiore, MS, CCC-SLP
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When you start a new job one can always expect that you’ll need to learn the ropes of your new office and maybe some new information. Starting, even after being a Speech-Language Pathologist for 12+ years, at Rocking Horse Rehab I had no idea the amount of new information that I was about to learn. Luckily, Rocking Horse allows you to spend time observing and then volunteering with them to get a better idea of how hippotherapy works. During my first four weeks volunteering at Rocking Horse I was trained by Executive Director and Speech-Language Pathologist, Sheri Marino. She shared her vast knowledge of hippotherapy and how she has seen incredible and beneficial results. She challenged me to ride Que Boy so I was able to physically feel the principals she was teaching me. It was a really important lesson, my first of many during my time here at Rocking Horse. Sheri’s knowledge helped prepare me for the intensive 4-day course for new therapists in the field conducted by the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. I had the pleasure of taking my course at the end of October 2018 at the Upreach Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Goffstown, New Hampshire.
Over the duration of the course we spent time in the classroom learning fundamentals of equine therapy and practical application of these objectives by working with horses in the arena and observing therapy sessions. For someone who was new to working with horses this was the most valuable aspect of the course as it allowed me to fully understand how to apply human movement and function to the unique contributions of equine movement in treatment. We started the course learning about conformation, essentially how the horse is put together, and movement of horses, gaits of the horse, as well as how to select clients and proper equipment. The facility where the course was held had ramps with lifts to help their clients who are non-ambulatory onto the horses. Therapists taking the course were given a hands-on experience both using this lift, as a client, as well as operating it, as a therapist, during our practical learning portion of transitioning on and off the horse. A variety of position options were demonstrated both in the arena and in the classroom via pictures and video clips. We also learned and spoke extensively about safety while using hippotherapy as well as emergency procedures if we should ever need to use them. The course was rounded out with case studies given to small groups in which we were to evaluate and select the most appropriate horse from Upreach for the client demonstrating the diagnosis listed providing an explanation and rationale during final presentations.
Attending this course was invaluable as it has allowed for me to be more confident in my skills in the arena working with the horses and clients. I am now better able to understand how and why to change the movement of the horse in order to achieve a better outcome and movement for my clients. I continued to learn the great lesson of empathy as I am very much afraid of heights and falling so you can imagine the fear I had when riding on another horse. I can honestly speak to my clients about knowing how they feel which allows for us to build trust and rapport quickly from the start. For me there is no better way to start a therapeutic relationship, with horses or humans, than with trust.
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Staff Member of the Month
Georgia
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Georgia began working with us at the age of 14 as a volunteer. During her time volunteering, she worked leading and sidewalking with our sessions. In May 2015, we took Georgia on as a program assistant, where she started working during our busy Sundays. Georgia always came in with a smile on her face, happy to work with the kids and the horses.
Over the years, Georgia has become an invaluablepart of our team, always stepping up when needed. Starting this semester, she will be moving down to Florida to study international studies and Spanish at the University of Miami. Although we are sad to see her go, we are thrilled at this opportunity for her. Good luck, Georgia! We will see you over summer break!
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Woody is a favorite among our kids. Woody is a 23-year-old appendix horse, which means he is a cross between a thoroughbred and a quarter horse. Back in his younger days, he was a show jumper, where the winner is the fastest horse to get around a course.
Now that Woody is a bit older, he enjoys working with our students, helping them to keep their balance and feel safe with his smooth, slow walk! We have been using him for the past few years for our therapeutic riding kids. We look forward to many good years with Woody!
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Volunteer of the Month
Mikaela Mazzeo
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Mikaela was an intern with our mental health program this past semester. She is currently a student at Kean University studying Environmental Biology. Mikaela's passion stems from her love of seeing how animals (like Que, Tetley, and Amber) benefit children through therapeutic activities.
Mikaela was an asset to RHR, especially with her knowledge of Spanish! We are grateful for the time Mikaela spent working with us and hope to get to work with her again soon!
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Thank you to our grant giver
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RHR is a recipient of a generous grant from the Italian Welfare League, an organization which assists children of Italian descent who are ill or have suffered an emotional trauma. Since 2001, the League has donated more than $1,850,000 to over 1,470 recipients for medical bills, special needs equipment, therapeutic services, transportation, and rehabilitation. Their grant helps us to provide services for children of Italian descent who otherwise would not be able to afford our services.
Their recipients have many different diagnoses, such as brain injuries, autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. For more information on how to receive a grant for our services, please email us at:
carey@rockinghorserehab.com
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2018 Favorite Kids' Docs!
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Congratulations to our RHR
therapists who have been voted
NJ's Favorite Kids' Docs 2018
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Kathy Lutz, LCSW, CADC
Thank you to all of our clients who voted! Make sure to check out the magazine when it comes out in December!
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Check out our partner:
The Autism Think Tank
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The Autism Think Tank, NJ is designed to provide a multidisciplinary team approach to the identification and treatment of the complicated medical comorbidities of autism. The Autism Think Tank is comprised of leading experts in autism from renowned teaching hospitals including Harvard/Massachusetts General Hospital and UCLA.
At the Autism Think Tank, the medical experts collaborate from around the U.S. in a video conference with local physicians and families to develop a cohesive plan of care for individuals with medically complex cases of autism. Medically stabilizing a child facilitates greater outcomes in behavioral, therapeutic and educational interventions. The Autism Think Tank has a global reach as we are serving families internationally with the use of telemedicine.
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Thank you to the following universities and colleges for providing us with wonderful student interns. We are honored to help influence their futures in the health professions as fieldwork educators.
Eastwick College
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Felician College
Kean University
Monmouth University
Montclair State University
New Jersey City University
New York University
Raritan Valley College
Philadelphia University
Queens College
Rutgers Univeristy
Salus University
Seton Hall University
St. Catherine's Univeristy
State College of Pennsylvania
Tauro College
University of Scranton
Villanova University
William Paterson University
To complete an internship at RHR, email:
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Field Trip times available!!
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Rocking Horse Rehab is open
Monday-Friday 10am-6pm
and Sundays from 9am-5pm.
SCHOOLS: TO BOOK A FIELD TRIP, CALL US NOW!
To request a client registration packet, email:
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Rocking Horse Rehab is a pediatric rehabilitation and family wellness center located within the Essex Equestrian Center in West Orange, NJ. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of individuals with special needs and their families by offering innovative opportunities for clinical, educational and social development. Our philosophy is to treat the "whole child" using equine assisted therapies with the expertise of our highly specialized staff.
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About our Founder
Sheri A. Marino, MA, CCC-SLP
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Sheri founded Rocking Horse Rehab in September 2001. She is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who specializes in autism spectrum disorders. Sheri oversees program development and daily operations for RHR with the support of a dedicated, professional staff. She is the Executive Director of The Autism Think Tank, NJ, a non-profit, medical videoconferencing team for individuals with medically complex autism. Sheri works directly with the Autism Think Tank families and physicians and manages all fundraising, marketing and family events. In addition, Sheri is a consultant to the Focus For Health Foundation which is dedicated to promoting advocacy, education and research to combat chronic health issues around the world.
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12-22 Woodland Ave. West Orange, NJ 07052
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