Facilitation Technique Category: Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Activity Title: Grooming: Picking out Hooves

Source: Horse Grooming Manual by Alison Pocklington, Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic
Recreation (3rd Ed. ) John Dattilo, Alexis McKenney
Equipment: Objects that sink in water
Activity Description: Grooming provides an opportunity for horse and participant to spend time
bonding and learning to trust each other. Begin every grooming session with safely tying up the
horse in a suitable area, preferably a stable. Have participants pick out each hoof always moving
the pick away from the heel towards the toe. This makes it easier to avoid making contact with
the frog, which is an extremely sensitive structure that contains blood vessels and nerves. Extra
care must be taken with the hooves beside the frog which often run very deep. Be sure to have
participants pick out the foot correctly, making sure the foot does not appear too moist or too dry.
This area is known to cause problems if it is not cleaned properly. It may also be necessary for
either health or appearance reasons to scrub the feet. The horse will need to be taken out of the
stable to do this. It is best to use warm water and a stiff brush. Have participants scrub the inside
of the hoof first and then with the foot on the ground, scrub the wall of the hoof.
Leadership considerations: CTRS functions as an implementer for this activity. To become an
instructor, CTRS must complete all training course requirements passing the NARHA exam.
Certification is not required but should receive training in classic principles of hippotherapy. This
is important as far as maintaining a safe environment and preparing to respond appropriately to
emergency situations when necessary. Facilitators should be present throughout the entire
intervention.
Adaptations: Participants with Hearing impairments: Conducive hearing loss is when hearing
loss is due to problems with the ear canal, ear drum, or middle ear and its little bones (the
malleus, incus, and stapes). For many participants with this disability the success of this activity
is held by having appropriate adaptations and modifications made to the instructions. An
interpreter can be called in for support to better convey the instructions and information of the
intervention. The Sign language interpreter will basically translate spoken English in the
classroom to American Sign Language for the participant. When the participant responds in ASL,
the interpreter would then voice for the student. Some participants, however, can choose to voice
for themselves.
Participants with Vascular dementia: Vascular dementia is characterized by a decrease in thinking
skills and memory caused by illnesses that block or decrease blood flow to the brain.
When, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients from blood, it damages and eventually
kills cells anywhere in the body. In vascular dementia, it changes ones thinking skills and
memory and can follow after a stroke. For individuals with vascular dementia, an adaptation that
can be made during the intervention is repetition. Repetition allows the individual to constantly
retrieve memories regularly. A sheet of instructions can aid in retrieving information when
needed. By having the instruction sheet drafted in simple language with explanatory illustrations

(if necessary), participants are able to revisit memories to be certain that the learned techniques
and care for the horse are applied properly.

Adaptations References
Center, G. U. (n.d.). Working with Interpreters. Retrieved November 14, 2016, from
https://www.gallaudet.edu/clerc-center/info-to-go/interpreting/working-with-interpreters.html
America, H. L. (n.d.). Types, Causes and Treatment | Hearing Loss Association of America.
Retrieved November 14, 2016, from http://www.hearingloss.org/content/types-causes-andtreatment
Vascular Dementia | Signs, Symptoms, & Diagnosis. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2016, from
http://www.alz.org/dementia/vascular-dementia-symptoms.asp
Memory Problems in Dementia: Adaptation and Coping ... (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2016,
from http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/753512_3

Facilitation Technique Category: Therapeutic Use of Animals

Activity Title: Pet-Facilitated Therapy: Dog Walking
Source: Barkbusters.com,
Equipment: Leash with collar
Activity Description: When getting ready to go on a walk, have participants put the leash/collar
on the dog. Have participants make sure the collar isnt too tight around the dogs neck. The
collar should not be loose enough to slip over the dogs ears. A good rule of thumb to share with
them is placing one to two fingers between the collar and the dogs neck. Before starting the
walk, inform participants the most important aspect of learning how to walk a dog and that is
maintaining control, where the dog doesnt dictate the walk. Have them wrap the leash around
their hand until there is very little give between them and the pet. The dog will feel the resistance
of the leash and realize that getting ahead is unacceptable. Begin walk and have participants give
a slight tug on the leash, directing pet back by changing direction if pet begins to pull.
Leadership considerations: CTRS functions as an implementer for this activity. It is
recommended that a CTRS gets a Certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy. Certification gives
training in working with animals in an educational or therapeutic setting, training dogs and other
animals to work safely in the Animal Assisted Therapy environment, Understanding animal
cognition and emotions, and Building safe & effective programs. This is important as far as

maintaining a safe environment and preparing to respond appropriately to emergency situations

when necessary. Also be cautious of poisonous plants or animals and avoid anything that could
be problematic for the dog. Make sure the dog has the proper identification in case he runs away.
Adaptations: Participants with Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetic Retinopathy is a complication of
diabetes in which retinal blood vessels leak into the retina, causing macular swelling. It is often
caused by elevated blood sugar levels and is the primary cause of blindness for adults. With the
difficulty that an impaired vision may hold with a regular dog, guide dogs can serve as mobility
aid to individuals with Diabetic Retinopathy to travel safely. Guide dogs can guide participants
around obstacles, through crowds, stop at a number of objects while still providing participant
with the walk the dog experience.
Individuals with Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low
blood sugar levels, usually less than 70 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia may also be referred to as
an insulin reaction, or insulin shock. Some of the signs and symptoms these individuals
experience are, shakiness, anxiety, sweating, chills, irritability, confusion, and dizziness. First
and foremost, it is important for insulin to be carried at all times. The activity can be adapted for
participants by having the facilitators present throughout the entire intervention. For the reason
that some of the symptoms mimic ADHD, activity adaptations can be made according to the
behaviors. Giving instructions one at a time and repeating as necessary makes the learning
process easier. Prior to the intervention, instructions should be simple and structured. Props,
charts, and other visual aids can be used to properly explain safety concerns and activity
instructions.

Adaptations References
Animal Behavior Institute's Animal Assisted Therapy Certificate Program. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 11, 2016, from http://www.animaledu.com/Programs/Animal-Assisted-Therapy?d=1
Teaching Students with ADHD. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2016, from
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/add-adhd/teaching-students-with-adhd-attention-deficitdisorder.htm
Teaching Students with ADHD. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2016, from
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/add-adhd/teaching-students-with-adhd-attention-deficitdisorder.htm
Types of Visual Impairment. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2016, from
http://www.freedomscientific.com/Support/VisionLoss/TypesOfVisualImpairment
Why People with Diabetes Blood Sugar Drops? - Diabetic FAQ. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11,
2016, from https://diabeticfaq.com/diabetics-blood-sugar-drops/