Apr/May 2019
Rocking Horse Rehab
A Pediatric Rehab and Family Wellness Center
Read on to find out what's happening at Rocking Horse Rehab!

Message of the Month
The Ideal Therapy Horse

by Carey Masson
Program Director
We are lucky to have wonderful horses as a part of our program, but what goes into choosing our horses? Any horse that participates in our program must be evaluated before use to make sure they are a good candidate.

When we're looking at new horses for our programs, we need them to meet specific requirements including their size, ability to work with noisy toys, and what type of movement they offer. During an evaluation, we slowly introduce them to our arena while we assess their movement and desensitize them to our toys. If they pass the initial tests, then we do a mock therapy session with our therapists, leader, and sidewalkers to be sure they are comfortable surrounded by so many people. We also make sure they can tolerate various movements a client might make while mounted on their back.

Sometimes we have to evaluate horses that live at other barns. This requires us to bring our tools to their facility, walkers, toys, and our hippotherapy saddles. Then we perform the same evaluation we would put them through if they were at RHR. If the horse passes this off-site test, we will bring them in for a trial period to make sure they are the perfect fit and happy in their new home! It truly takes a special horse to be a part of our program!
Staff Member of the Month
Cate
Cate is one of our new program assistants. With many years of horse experience and a knowledge of the horses in the barn, Cate was an obvious choice for someone to help out with the care of our program horses. She cares for each of our horses as if they were her own.

In her spare time, Cate enjoys riding her pony, Leo, and helping out around the barn. Cate is a part of her high school riding team and was part of EEC's team riding at Nationals this past April. Way to go Cate!
Horse of the Month
Que Boy
Que Boy, affectionately called "Que," is named for the his unique blaze in the shape of a question mark. We were excited to celebrate Que's 6th anniversary with us this past February. He has been an amazing horse he has these past 6 years! Everyone knows and loves Que's always friendly demeanor and his (sometimes distracting) love for food!

Que's sensitivity to his rider's movement makes him an ideal therapy horse. If he feels his rider losing balance, he will stop to give them time to re-adjust and get centered. We love working with our Que Boy and are excited to work with him for many more years!
Volunteer of the Month
Daniel
Dan is a senior at Farleigh Dickinson University studying Psychology. He is working with our mental health internship program for the spring 2019 semester. Dan also held an internship with the Youth Offenders Program back home in Maryland where he was able to help at risk kids stay away from crime and assist in event planning.

During his time at RHR, Dan has become an important member of the team, working as a sidewalker and in the barn with our private and school-based clients. Upon graduation, Dan plans to continue his education towards his master's in psychology at FDU. We look forward to the rest of the semester with Dan!
Thank you to our grant giver
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 .
2018 Favorite Kids' Docs!
Congratulations to our RHR 
therapists who have been voted 
NJ's Favorite Kids' Docs 2018 !

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!

Check out our partner:
The Autism Think Tank
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.

University Partners
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:
Field Trip times available!!
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:
Mission Statement
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.
About our Founder
Sheri A. Marino, MA, CCC-SLP
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.
Stay connected:
Have you seen our fun pictures and videos on Facebook?
Check us out and like our page!

12-22 Woodland Ave. West Orange, NJ 07052