Our Programs

Therapeutic Riding is a growing, and widely accepted treatment for a broad range of physical, cognitive and emotional challenges such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy and ADHD to name a few. Therapeutic Riding, also known as Equine-Assisted Therapy, is the use of the horse and equine-oriented activities to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals. Our CanTRA-accredited facility provides a purposeful and safe environment where our riders can explore their abilities and enjoy the success of reaching objectives that are tailored to their individual needs.

What is the Cost?

The cost of Theraputic Riding lessons are $45 per lesson and you are invoiced based on a full session.

How do I register for Therapeutic Riding?

Please complete the following:

1. Participant Application
2. Professional Referral Form
3. Atlanto-axial X-ray Verification Form (if required by condition)

Click here to bring you to the applications page.

For more information, please call 519-986-1247 and ask for Robyn, or email program@hopehavencentre.org

What is Hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy (HPOT) refers to how physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology professionals purposefully manipulate an equine's unique movements to engage neuromotor, sensory and cognitive systems to achieve functional outcomes in their clients. HPOT is just one intervention within an overall therapy treatment plan.

What differentiates Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy?

Therapeutic riding (TR) is defined as equine assisted activities that are adapted for individuals with special needs. The goals of TR may include sport, leisure, socialization, physical and education related. TR programs are lead by CANTRA certified horse professionals.

Hippotherapy does not teach the skill of riding. It uses the horse's unique movement to produce active responses in the client in order to effect their functional goals. HPOT is a part of a therapeutic treatment plan under a designated health professional.

There are many cases where a client may be involved in both HPOT and TR sessions as they may have both functional or medical goals as well as riding or social goals.

Why use a Horse for Therapy?

The horse has a unique multi-dimensional movement that is highly organized and "lends" itself to our riders. The horse's spine and pelvic movement is very similar to humans. By manipulating the horse's movement characteristics and patterns we can directly influence our client's active movements necessary to achieve their specific goals.

The hippotherapy environment provides a multi-systems experience that can't be reproduced in the regular clinic. These systems include: motor, musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, visual, touch, hearing, speech, language and cognition. Treatment sessions can be tailored to focus on a select few but as in real life scenarios, clients will learn to organize many systems interacting simultaneously.

What is the Cost?

The cost is the same as our Therapeutic Riding program which is $45/lesson. 

How do I Register for Hippotherapy?

You will nedd to complete the following:

1. Participant Application
2. Professional Referral Form
3. Atlanto-Axial X-Ray Verification (if required)

Once your application is complete we will set up an initial assessment visit to determine your program plan.

Cick here to bring you to the applications page.

For more information, please call 519-986-1247 and ask for Robyn, or email program@hopehavencentre.org

Our continued focus on the opportunity for our clients to build a bond with our horses, we offer an interesting and interactive session for individuals who would like to work with horses and build their confidence, but may not be ready or may not want to ride.

This program captures activities such as grooming and tacking, ground schooling the horse and plenty of exercise for both. They will learn horsemanship techniques such as catching and haltering the horse; properly leading the horse through stop, go and turns while maintaining control of the horse.  They will ask the horse to walk on, trot, back-up, pivot and to work with them through various obstacle courses in the arena.

We incorporate enjoyable activities and exercises within these lessons as well. It is a great opportunity to increase physical activity, build muscle strength, coordination, confidence and relationship with others.

What is the Cost?

Our cost is $40 per lesson. 

How do I register for Horsemanship?

Please complete the following:

1. Participant Application
2. Professional Referral Form

Click here to bring you to the applications page.

For more information, please call 519-986-1247 and ask for Robyn, or email program@hopehavencentre.org

New in 2018 we are offering Carriage Driving! This program may be suitable for those unable to mount a horse for various reasons such as weight, excess adductor tone, significantly poor trunk control, and fear of heights to name a few. Some participants are just interested in learning about the sport itself and may prefer it to riding. 

Carriage driving provides a unique movement experience and challenges your muscular, neurological, vestibular and sensory systems. It also provides an opportunity for learning new skills, task completion and working as a team. 

We have 2 types of carriages at Hope, one that is wheelchair accessible and one where you are seated on a bench. Depending on your needs and assessment outcome, one carriage will be more suitable for you than another. Before starting the program, you will need to be fully assessed by our team as to whether the program is suitable for you. 

What is the Cost?

$45 per lesson (lessons are 30min duration)

How do I Register for Carriage Driving?

You will nedd to complete the following:

1. Participant Application
2. Professional Referral Form
3. Atlanto-Axial X-Ray Verification (if required)

Once your application is complete we will set up an initial assessment visit to determine your program plan.

Cick here to bring you to the applications page.

For more information, please call 519-986-1247 and ask for Robyn, or email program@hopehavencentre.org

What is the format of this program?

In partnership with area schools, groups of up to 8 children are identified by teachers or parents who could benefit from therapeutic riding. Frequency of the program is 1 morning a week for a minimum of 4 weeks. Students are provided with a 1 hour therapeutic riding lesson or horsemanship (if unable or unwilling to ride), plus a 1 hour alternate activity such as hiking/snowshoeing, scavenger hunts, therapeutic yoga and meditation, creative art and rhythmic drumming. Alternate activities are tailored towards your group's ages, abilities and needs. They are also chosen with the same goals in mind that the therapeutic riding lessons aim to achieve which is the opportunity for success!

Here is a sample of a 4 week Saddle Up For Success agenda:

• Week 1 – 1 Hour therapeutic riding lesson + 1 Hour Horsemanship - introduction to horse tack and grooming.
• Week 2 – 1 Hour therapeutic riding lesson + 1 Hour Yoga session with a certified instructor.
• Week 3 – 1 Hour therapeutic riding lesson + 1 Hour Horsemanship - expanding on horse care and horse communication.
• Week 4 – 1 Hour therapeutic riding lesson + 1 Hour creative art session.

How do we register?

Please contact our office to speak with our Program Development Manager. Robyn will be able to answer any questions and guide you through your first application process. Well before the program starts we need to have all participants complete a Participant Application as well as a Professional Referral Form. These can be filled out directly on our website or can also be downloaded and printed. Click here to take you to the applications page.

What is the cost?

For a 4 week session our cost is $180. For families who need assistance, please inquire about sponsorship funds we may have available. Other available community funders include Jumpstart, Beaver Valley Outreach, and Grey County National Child Benefit, all of which you can apply for at any time.

For more information, please call 519-986-1247 and ask for Robyn, or email program@hopehavencentre.org

Our Volunteer for Growth Program was designed to welcome individuals from our community who would like to experience the rewards of volunteering but have limitations or challenges that make it necessary to have someone working with them.

Program goals:

• create opportunities for individuals to become more socially active
• create a strong sense of personal accomplishment and satisfaction in helping others
• learn new skills and increase confidence as part of our volunteer team
• provide individuals with skills for the workforce

There is no cost associated with this program.

How do I register?

Please complete the following:

1. Volunteer Application

Click here to bring you to the applications page.

For more information, please call 519-986-1247 and ask for Robyn, or email program@hopehavencentre.org

Saddle Up For SUMMER CAMP is designed to take full advantage of all things equine! This is a week long, full day program where children ages 6-13 will be able to quickly progress not only their riding skills and knowledge of horse care, they will have invaluable social interaction with peers and experience a range of outdoor activities.

Each day the participants will have a 1 hour therapeutic riding lesson, 1 hour horsemanship and horse care, as well as other activities that will promote creativity, exploring, team work and active living. Activities may include creative horse art, painting on a REAL horse, human jumper and human dressage courses, water play, trail hikes, fishing and so much more! Don't wait to register as spots are limited!

DATES

Week 1:  July 16th-20th

Week 2:  August 13th-17th

HOURS

9:00am - 3:00pm

AGES

Saddle Up For Summer Camp is designed for children 6 - 13 years of age, with individual consideration up to 16 years of age.

COST

$325/week

REGISTRATION & ACCEPTANCE

Participants will be accepted on a first come first served basis. All participants must have a completed Participant Application and Professional Referral Form. Each applicant will also have an intake assessment done as per our regular protocol for new participants.

Contact Robyn our Program Manager to register or for further inquiries. Phone (519-986-1247)  Email (program@hopehavencentre.org).

FAQs

Is the camp integrated?

Priority will be given to special needs children as spots are very limited. If spaces are not filled by June 30th 2018, non-challenged siblings may be accepted into the camp.

Who Provides the food?

Lunch and snacks to be provided by each participant independently in consideration of any food allergies that may exist among participants. Water will always be provided by Hope Haven for drinking as well as the occasional popsicle or freezie on hot days! 

How many participants per week?

We accept 8 participants maximum per week of camp.

How many counsellors?

There are 2 counsellors with the group throughout the day so that we always have at least a 4:1 ratio.