Photo By Reese Brown | A volunteer hippotherapist, Sue Schmieg, and a volunteer horse-named Skeeter from "The...... read more read more
A true sharing of resources between the Caisson platoon of the 3d United States Infantry “The Old Guard” and the Intrepid Spirit Center One has allowed several patients the unique opportunity to experience hippotherapy.
Now before you ask, hippotherapy does not involve a trip to the local zoo for an encounter with a hippopotamus. But if you know a bit of Greek you might just figure out that a horse is involved. Hippo translates to horse and the therapeutic benefits of horses can be traced back to ancient Greece. This type of therapy didn’t actually spread to North America until sometime in the 1980s.
During a typical hippotherapy session there is an immediate social and emotional connection made between horse and rider. A key aspect of this therapy is attributed to the unique similarity between horses and humans in their multi-dimensional gait. This movement is what allows a horse and rider to often seem to move “as one.”
Not far from this hospital, in a ranch-like setting, such sessions have been happening on a weekly basis. In a coordinated effort, Ms. Stephanie Beauregard, chief of rehabilitative services at the Intrepid Spirit Center One and CPT Robert Elliott, Caisson platoon leader for “The Old Guard” worked together to bring hippotherapy to some of the center’s patients.
Enter Sue Schmieg, local SME, retired physical therapist with over 40 years of professional experience in equine-assisted therapy, and currently a Red Cross volunteer with the center’s rehabilitative department. Another member of the hippotherapy team reporting for duty is Skeeter, a 15 year-old quarter horse on loan from “The Old Guard.”
According to Sue, “Skeeter is an absolute natural at this type of therapy.” She goes on to add that, “his easy-going nature and rider awareness” make him a perfect fit for hippotherapy work. And Ms. Schmieg should know what with her many years of professional experience and her self-admitted lifetime love of and respect for horses.
In a combined effort Sue and Skeeter work together, side-by-side, to provide physical and cognitive rehabilitation for our nation’s finest.
| Date Taken: | 05.07.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.11.2018 13:51 |
| Story ID: | 276120 |
| Location: | FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 205 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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