Occupational Therapy
Equine movement serves as a powerful therapeutic tool utilized by licensed and specially trained occupational therapists. By integrating the movement of a horse into treatment, our therapists can address a variety of physical and cognitive challenges. Rather than focusing on riding skills, functional goals are set to improve greater independence at school, home, and in the community.
Insurance and Costs
If your insurance includes occupational therapy you may be covered. Our Occupational Therapy sessions are billed under traditional occupational therapy diagnoses and treatment codes.
Forward Stride is a fee for service program. This means that the client is responsible for paying for each service at the time the service is performed. Clients will be given a detailed statement or “Superbill” which contains all the information needed to submit to their insurance companies for reimbursement. Forward Stride does not do direct billing.
We understand medical costs are high and if finances are a limiting factor, please register to learn about further opportunities.
| Session Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initial Evaluation | $280 |
| Individual 45-minute Session | $210 ($70 per RVU) |
Occupational Therapy Registration
To sign up for Occupational Therapy please fill out the form below.
For questions regarding this therapy, please contact our Director of Therapy Services, Sheila Stahl Butler, at (503) 217-2035, or email therapyservices@forwardstride.
We currently have openings for Occupational Therapy! Register today!
Why Work with Horses?
After a holistic initial evaluation, the client, the family and therapist create a treatment plan to meet goals specific to the client. During each session, the therapist intentionally monitors and assesses the client’s position, the horse’s movement and designs specific activities to achieve optimal outcomes. Horses bring a unique advantage to therapy; their rhythmic movement creates a pattern in the patient’s body that is difficult to replicate in traditional settings. This movement stimulates core muscles, promotes balance and a feeling of calm and well-being, making horses an exceptional partner in achieving functional goals.
Sessions will include time in our on-site clinics or in the barn’s natural environment, either to prepare for the movement of the horse or to alternatively address functional goals to integrate the input provided by the horse. This complements the benefits of equine movement.
Please note, individual goals and treatment plans are created using many tools and treatment interventions. Equine movement is not appropriate nor indicated for every client. We are able to incorporate partnership with equines and their natural environment into our sessions to support the achievement of functional goals.
Additionally, a helmet and gait belt are required for any animal-related interaction, regardless of age and ability.
Thanks to the remarkable and unique benefits of equine movement, individuals with a variety of medical conditions and diagnoses can see significant improvements from this type of treatment. These include but are not limited to: Autism, Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Developmental Delays, Genetic Disorders, Post-operative recovery, Sensory Processing Dysfunction, Speech/Language Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis and other progressive neurological diseases.