Posted on Tuesday July 10, 2007
NOKOMIS - It's called Hippotherapy. The Greek work for "Treatment with the help of the horse." A non-profit group in Nokomis is doing that. Using horses to help children diagnosed with developmental issues.
In Nokomis four legs are carrying some special packages. They're hauling hope and healing to kids like 2-year old Anthony Cuffaro. Anthony is diagnosed with cataracts, low muscle tone, and developmental delays. His mother Michele Cuffaro says this emotional and physical bond between human and horse has changed their lives. "This light went off in him. He was there before and we were going through six therapies a week but after he started hippo he was getting excited. It was the first time you would see him start laughing and smiling and excited to come see his horse rocky."
Since 1995 Instride Equine Assisted Therapy has helped more than 400-different riders a year feel what many of us take for granted. What it's like to walk tall.” The horse pelvis is built the exact same way as a human pelvis so as the horse walks it mimics that motion throughout the riders body as if they were walking." Instride Director Donna Blem says the therapy they do is helping to improve mobility, posture, and balance. Sessions with therapist here replace hospitals, charts, and monitors.” In a traditional clinic sometimes its hard to motivate them to do a task over and over again but with the horse it just seems to be kind of a natural fit and they want to do it."
The staff on the 76-acre facility includes five therapists, a dozen active therapy horses, instructors, and nearly 60-volunteers."We really see miracles happen here everyday. From a kid who didn't walk when they started the program to the kid that was very unstable start to run and jump. The results have been amazing," says Blem.
An energy parents like Michele say the horses even feel as they help to heal one stride at a time.” It’s amazing. It's kind of like hope that they are going to be Okay, he's there, he's doing great and he loves it."
Currently Instride is waiting for county approval to build a two-point-three million-dollar facility. It will have 28-stalls, covered riding areas, and a therapy clinic. They say they've already raised the money through generous donations and programs they offer.