AHA COORDINATING FACULTY
Joann Benjamin, PT, HPCS
4736 Halbrent Avenue
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
818-903-4768
joannbenjamin@vdn.com
Joann practices PT in the Los Angeles area, specializing in applications of Hippotherapy and Feldenkrais(R) for children and adults. She directs the Therapy Services at Ride On, a PATH, Intl premiere accredited center, and maintains a practice working in Early Intervention. She is a Board Certified Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist and a PATH, Intl Registered Therapist. She has taught hippotherapy internationally, and has worked with the AHA faculty committee in developing the Hippotherapy curriculum. She was a founding member of the AHA and served on the Board of directors, as Secretary. She enjoyed a long tenure with the PATH, Intl Health and Education Committee as the PT representative. She currently serves on the American Hippotherapy Certification Board and is an International Classifier/Instructor for the Para Equestrian division of the USEF and FEI (Federation Equestrian International).
Bonnie Cunningham, MA, PT, HPCS
399 Swiss Hill Rd. N.
Jeffersonville, NY 12748
(H) 845-482-4949
bdc1m@aol.com
Bonnie is a licensed Physical Therapist in the states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Physical Therapy and Master of Public Administration. Bonnie is a PATH, Intl Registered Therapist, a PATH, Intl Certified Riding Instructor and Certified as a National Assessor for riders interested in competing in National Events and the Paralympics. Bonnie is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in hippotherapy, Coordinating Faculty for the American Hippotherapy Association, has taught internationally and presented at national conferences. Bonnie is practicing hippotherapy as part of a therapeutic riding program and in private practice. She has just completed her term as President Ex-Efficio of American Hippotherapy Association, Inc.
Ruth Dismuke-Blakely, MS/CCC-SLP, HPCS
PO Box 2225
Edgewood, NM 87015
505-281-1811
skylinetherapy@aol.com
Ruth is a speech/language pathologist and professional horsewoman involved in hippotherapy since 1978. She owns Skyline Therapy Services, an outpatient clinic specializing in the transdisciplinary applications of hippotherapy. Ruth has published research, presented at numerous conferences and workshops and was a featured speaker at the Ninth International Therapeutic Riding Congress in Denver, 1997. She served on the Board of Directors of the American Hippotherapy Association and is a consultant to the PATH, Intl Health and Education Committee. She is regarded as a leader in the field of
hippotherapy as a treatment tool.
Karen Gardner, MOT, OTR, HPCS
310 CR 283
Leander, TX 78641
D-281.744.6420
gardner167@ymail.com
Karen Gardner has a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and is Director of Therapy for the JoyRide Center, near Houston, Texas. She is a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPCS), PATH, Intl Master Instructor and Driving Instructor. She is an OT at JoyRide and an adjunct professor for the OTA Program at Lone Star College. Therapy specialties include sensory integration, aquatic and neurodevelopmental techniques. She also incorporates the concepts of Floortime (from Dr. S. Greenspan) into her treatment sessions. She is an active member of the AHA Faculty and has presented at local, state and national conferences on a variety of topics within occupational therapy, hippotherapy, adaptive riding and horse training. Karen’s current equine experience includes competitive carriage driving and dressage. In her younger years, she spent many years doing hunter/jumper competitions. She utilizes a variety of natural horsemanship techniques in her horse training and therapy sessions. She is a member of AOTA, TOTA, PATH, Intl, EFMHA, LSTEN, Houston Area Carriage Association, Lone Star Dowsing Club, Clear Gem and Mineral Society. Karen is a past President and former Board member of the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc.
Lori Garone, MA, PT, HPCS
109 Adams Way
Sayville, NY 11782
631-750-0866
hpotpt@gmail.com
Lori Garone, PT, HPCS is a physical therapist, licensed in New York, New Jersey and California. She is a board certified Clinical Specialist in Hippotherapy. A 1990 graduate of Touro School of Health Sciences, Lori holds a Bachelor of Science inCommunity Health and a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy. She recently finished serving a second term on the American Hippotherapy Association Board of Directors as holding the office of Vice President, Chairperson for the Education Curriculum Development and Chairperson for the Nominating Committee. Lori has previously served on the AHA Board of Directors from 1999 -2005 as well as Education Committee Chairperson from 2001- 2005 and Practice and Standards Chairperson from 2001- 2008. Lori was one of two therapists chosen to represent the United States in 1991 at the First Symposium of Physiotherapists and Riding Instructors which took place in Surry, England. Lori has trained successfully up to Fourth Level Dressage and is a life long horsewoman. She also helped develop as Clinical Director at SDTC, Sullivan Diagnostic and TestingCenter, The Center for Discovery’s, Milligan Hill Equine Assisted Therapy and Activity Program which incorporated hippotherapy into patients plan of care as well as Equine Assisted Therapy and Activities incorporating the environment of the horse for residential patients, daycare program and work related experiences. From 2005-2007, Lori served as Interim Executive Director and Program Director at The National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy. In 2010 she was awarded the prestigious Oyster Bay, New York, 2010 Woman of the Year Award for her work in the Health Industry and promoting Hippotherapy
Lori is also a Registered Therapist and Registered Instructor with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Intl. Lori has a private practice on Long Island, New York since 1990, Physical Therapy In Motion, and incorporates hippotherapy into her patients plan of care. Her office number is 631 479-3393 x 2. You can find more information about her and her Physical Therapy private practice at www.physical-therapy-in-motion.com.
Lisa Harris, MSVS, PT, HPCS
4440 Kearney Rd.
Lexington, KY 40511
(859) 229-3483
lharris@qx.net
After graduating from Auburn University with a BS in Animal Science, Lisa received two degrees from the University of Kentucky: an MS in Vet Science, specializing in Equine Biomechanics and an MS in Physical Therapy. She has published an article on Equine Biomechanics in the Journal of Veterinary Science, and has presented in the US and Canada material from her MS Thesis. Lisa and her colleagues presented their MS PT Research Project comparing a human walking to sitting on a horse at the walk at the Ninth International Therapeutic Riding Congress in Denver in 1997. She currently practices physical therapy in an outpatient, private practice setting in Georgetown, Kentucky. She served on the AHA Board of Directors for 7 years as the Research Chair and the editor of HIPPOTHERAPY. She is a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist and a PATH, Intl Advanced Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Lisa initiated and coordinates the PATH, Intl accredited hippotherapy program at Central Kentucky Riding for Hope which is partnered with Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital. She teaches a hippotherapy lab each year at the University of Kentucky. Lisa is a graduate ‘A’ pony clubber. She has Evented through the Intermediate Two Star Level and has coached young riders through Preliminary Level.
Pippa Hodge, BSR, SCSP, MCPA, HPCS
5039 232nd St.
Langley, BC, — V2Z2R5
(W) 604-534-5347
pippah033@gmail.com
Pippa is a Physiotherapist specializing in Pediatrics. She works as a consultant in the school district and infant development programs. She was instrumental in developing Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association, where she treats adults and children using hippotherapy. She is an examiner for the Canadian Therapeutic Equestrian Association (CANTRA) and is a member of the CANTRA Medical Committee. She has been active in therapeutic riding since the early 1980’s. Pippa has taught workshops in the UK, New Zealand, Australia and in the USA, as well as most Provinces in Canada. Pippa is a founding member and board member of the American Hippotherapy Association and attended the Rommel Klinik, in Germany. In 1990 she produced a video “Analysis of Horse & Human Movement” which has sold internationally and won first prize for research in the1997, 2nd Festival du Fiolm Hanid Cheval in France.
Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS
4945 SW 91 Dr
Gainesville, FL 32608
352.331.3966
hippopt@aol.com
Carol is a PT graduate from the University of Florida. She has an NDT background, having taken the 8-week certification course. Carol has provided hippotherapy to a variety of populations, with varied ages and diagnoses. She also has significant experience working with adults in an outpatient setting, providing aquatic/neuro/vestibular/balance therapy – experience she finds substantially enhances her knowledge base when applied to hippotherapy,- and continues to work as a consultant in this setting. Currently, Carol works as a research therapist at the Brain Rehabilitation Research Center at the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, FL. Carol attended her first PATH, Intl Workshop in 1982. She volunteered at a therapeutic riding center for several years, then developed her own hippotherapy practice in her backyard. Carol then co-founded Horses Helping People, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, serving as their President and Program Director. Most recently she co-founded GREAAT! – Gainesville Riding through Equine Assisted Activities and Therapy, a fledgling not-profit, and serves as President. Carol has served as a clinical instructor for physical therapy and assists students from a variety of programs around the country. She is a PATH, Intl Registered Therapist and Riding Instructor. She has served as the Chair of the American Hippotherapy Certification Board since 2009.
Claudia Morin, MHE,OTR/L, HPCS
PO Box 828
Grovetown, GA 30813
(H) 706.854.0644
cmorin515@aol.com
Claudia Morin, MHE, OTR/L, HPCS has a Master of Health Education degree in Occupational Therapy with over 30 years of experience in Occupational Therapy which includes direct service, academic teaching and consultation. She is in private practice and is President of CTM Occupational Therapy, LLC, specializing in the treatment of children with sensory processing disorders. Claudia is the founder & president of Blue Ribbon Riders, Inc., a Hippotheray/Equine Assisted Activities Program located in Grovetown, Georgia serving the Central Savannah River Area since 1982.
Claudia is a PATH, Intl Certified Riding Instructor, Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist and a PATH, Intl Registered Therapist. Claudia attended the Classic Hippotherapy Course held in Wilbad, West Germany in 1987 and participated in the development of the AHA Hippotherapy Courses. In 1991, Claudia received the James Brady Professional Achievement Award from PATH, Intl. She was recently recognized by the American Hippotherapy Association as the 2009 Therapist of the Year. Claudia uses a variety of teaching strategies in her courses and encourages active involvement of the participants. She adds the occupational therapy perspective to the clinical reasoning aspects of the course content.
INACTIVE COORDINATING FACULTY
Nancy McGibbon, MS, PT, HPCS
Nancy is a licensed physical therapist with an advanced master’s degree in neurologic physical therapy. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including acute care, rehabilitation and private practice, and has been using hippotherapy in her practice for 25years. She completed hippotherapy training at the Rommel Klinik in West Germany in 1987. A founding member of the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA), she was the first President of AHA and a member of the AHA Board of Directors. Nancy is presently chairperson of the American Hippotherapy Certification Board and Director of Therapy Services at Therapeutic Riding of Tucson.
Nancy has served as faculty for AHA hippotherapy workshops as well as PATH, Intl national and regional workshops. She has presented papers at state, national and international conference on hippotherapy research and theory, therapeutic riding, and motor learning. Her equestrian background includes English and western riding, and she is a dressage enthusiast. Nancy received the American Hippotherapy Association ‘Therapist of the Year’ Award in 2004 and the Woman of Distinction Award, 2004 from Soroptomist International of Desert Tucson for work in the field of therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and hippotherapy research. Nancy is presently doing clinical research on cerebral palsy in conjunction with the University Of Arizona Department Of Pediatrics. Two of her hippotherapy research studies have been published in scientific journal.
Terri Barnes, PT, HPCS
Terri, a Colorado licensed physical therapist, graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch with a BS in physical therapy and has served as adjunct faculty for Texas Women’s University. She was part of the team of therapists selected to attend the Advanced Hippotherapy Training in Wildbad, Germany. A founding board member of the American Hippotherapy Association, she has developed and taught curriculum on hippotherapy for over twenty years. Additionally, she has served as AHA vice president and as education chairman. While serving on the PATH, Intl education committee, she assisted in the development of curriculum for Therapeutic Riding Instructors. Terri presented on hippotherapy at the World Physiotherapy Pre-conference in London, England and has given a lecture tour through out England and Scotland, which was sponsored by the Riding for the Disabled Association. A frequent speaker at the National PATH, Intl conferences, she was also a speaker at the International Therapeutic Riding Congress. Terri began and implemented three different programs in Texas that incorporated hippotherapy. She began a pilot program affiliated with a state institution and over the course of two years was able to build a million dollar facility and develop a program that many of the 1000 residents could utilize. Terri then began work on developing a hippotherapy program that was a partnership between a physical therapist and a neighboring horse facility. Later, Barnes Therapy was formed in 1992 as a private practice that incorporated the use of hippotherapy for PT’s, OT’s, and SLP’s. Currently Terri, a PT for the Colorado public school system, is in the process of developing a summer hippotherapy program. Besides having a clinical specialty in hippotherapy, she has a strong background in NDT and developmental manual therapy, which she incorporates in her treatments.
Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS
Mary Helene is licensed in RI and MA as a physical therapist. She has a B.S. in physical therapy is a PATH, Intl Registered Therapist, and is a Board Certified Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist. She has been a member of PATH, Intl and AHA since 1998. She is also RI state AHA liaison since 2003. Mary Helene has been utilizing hippotherapy in her physical therapy practice since 1998 at Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center in Rehoboth, MA. She continues to practice there, year round, 3 days per week with a primarily pediatric population from age two through adolescence. Mary Helene teaches for the American Hippotherapy Association, primarily at Greenlock. She frequently mentors and supervises therapists seeking hands on experience utilizing hippotherapy for their PATH, Intl Registered Therapist Status as well as for the AHA Inc educational prerequisites. Mary Helene is currently working as a consultant to a human service agency providing Early Intervention PT services, as well as PT support to home based staff and families of school age children with developmental delays and to adults with developmental delays living in group homes in the community.
AHA ASSOCIATE FACULTY
Dr. Macauley, Beth PH.D., CCC-SLP, HPCS
(918) 631-2903
Beth L. Macauley, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, HPCS, received her BA, MA, & PhD from the University of Florida. Her favorite area of teaching and research is anything brain related – especially stroke, TBI, and dementia based language problems. She also has a passion for animal-assisted therapy using dogs and horses (hippotherapy).
Gina Taylor MS, OT, HPCS
83 Old Turnpike Road Oldwick NJ 08889
Eponatherapy@gmail.com
Gina Taylor, MS, OTR/L, HPCS is a New Jersey licensed occupational therapist. She received her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Philadelphia University and a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies from Averett University. She is certified in Sensory Integration, DIR/Floortime, Infant Massage and is a board certified Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPCS). Gina continues to expand her knowledge and the knowledge of other therapists about hippotherapy used as a treatment strategy through fieldwork student supervision, national conference presentations and her involvement with the American Hippotherapy Association as faculty member, current Board Member and previous Education Committee Chairperson. Gina has a private practice providing occupational therapy services as well as workshops and consultation for those interested in equine assisted activities and therapy.
INACTIVE AHA ASSOCIATE FACULTY
Lesley Lautenschlager, MS, OTR, HPCS
Bethany Nugent, MSPT, HPCS
Steven McKenzie, MS, PT, HPCS
Becky L Payne, SLP, HPCS
Liz Baker, PT, HPCS