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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Message of the Month
by Kathy Lutz, LCSW
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Sara Malone, Ph.D. is teaching a course this semester at Rutgers University entitled “Animal Assisted Therapies.” Last month I was invited to be a guest speaker in Sara’s class, lecturing on “Common Psychiatric Diagnoses and Applications for AAT.”
The class is learning about mental health issues, so a quick review of the DSM 5 included the diagnoses we frequently treat at Rocking Horse Rehab including anxiety, ADHD, mood regulation disorders, depression, social skills, self-confidence issues, and high functioning autism. After a game in which students tried to guess someone’s diagnosis, we then focused on the therapeutic applications to equine assisted therapy. I described how we use a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Zones of Regulation, and some EMDR, as indicated by the treatment plan. The use of horses through groundwork, barn work, and/or riding, helps our clients to learn to live in the moment. People often look to Rocking Horse Rehab for therapy services which can include equines. Sometimes, it is easier to express feelings when a horse is used in therapy as opposed to talking to a human. Horses can sense how we are feeling, they don’t judge us, and they allow us to focus on developing healthy respectful relationships.
It was an honor to be a guest lecturer and to see so many students interested in animal assisted therapies. The class was attentive throughout, asked relevant questions, and took copious notes. There was even a service dog-in-training in the class. He sat at the back of the room and must be very knowledgeable because he didn’t take any notes!
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Staff Member of the Month
Laura Dobias
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Laura is the newest addition to our RHR team. She is an occupational therapist who has had a interest in hippotherapy for many years. We are so excited to help her finally get into the world of hippotherapy! Laura was introduced to RHR through Kathy's mindfulness workshops, where she fell in love with our horses and wanted to become part of our Rocking Horse family. Laura did a lot of training with our occupational therapists, Michele and Susan, and has a great understanding of how to use the horse's movement as a therapy tool.
She traveled to Florida to take the Introduction to Hippotherapy course and learned the many ins and outs of hippotherapy. We are thrilled to have Laura on our team!
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Horse of the Month
Tetley
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This month we feature our pony, Tetley, who we all know and love for being the friendliest guy around! Tetley originally came from the summer camp program that owns him as a trial pony, Tetley tried out for the RHR family and passed with flying colors!
His love of the children makes him an ideal candidate for the program. Although Tetley will be going back to camp in a few months, we will look forward to seeing him again in September!
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Volunteer of the Month
Isabella
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Isabella is an intern with our equine facilitated mental mental health program. She currently attends Seton Hall University where she is working towards her bachelor's degree in psychology. Isabella will be graduating in December of this year, and plans to work towards becoming an occupational therapist.
Isabella's enthusiasm is infectious and we can't help but smile when she is working with us! Even on our busy days when the rest of us are tired, she brings excitement and fun to RHR!
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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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Stay connected:
Have you seen our fun pictures and videos on Facebook?
Check us out and like our page!
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12-22 Woodland Ave. West Orange, NJ 07052
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