Summer /Fall 2011
Inside this issue: Board Chairman & Executive Director Message "Research Trends in the Field" Spotlight On Success ■
Buil ding Self Confidence
The Spirit of Giving ■ An ■
Except iona l Equine Friend Ho nori ng a Courageous Soul
Ways to Give ■ A Special Garde n for All ■ Wish List
Here Come the Mummies Horse Show Days From the Horse's Mouth High Hopes Happenings ■
Ice Cream Social
■ Lord Creek Horse Trials ■
Lord Creek Hunter Pace Meeting ■ Hoedown
Research Trends in the Field embers of the High Hopes community have always believed strongly in the need to support and encourage scientif ic research in the field of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT). On a daily basis we witness the benefits of therapeutic riding and other equine assisted activities: we watch a child with Autism sit astride a moving horse and become calm enough to make eye contact for the first time that day or we see an adult with Multiple Sclerosis able to maintain a posting trot down the long side of the arena and leave High Hopes feeling successful and rejuvenated.
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When the staff and volunteers at High Hopes witness these accomp lishments, our belief in the validity of our work is reinforced. However, many looking in from the outside, such as physicians and insurers, require additional evidence that substantiates the benefits we observe each day.
HHRF BoardMembers
■ Annual
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Active research endeavors are taking place all over the world. For example, the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) was founded in 2002 specifically to support scientific research that explores the benefits of EAAT. High Hopes maintains a strong affiliation with HHRFthrough the involvement of both staff and volunteers. Kitty Stalsburg, our Executive Director, sits on the Advisory Council, Judy Lightfoot, a founding volunteer and past Chairman of the Board of High Hopes, is the current President of HHRFand Alison Zack Darrell, former Executive Director of High Hopes, has recently joined the HHRF Board. Additionally, Dr. Donna Latella, High Hopes Instructor and Professor in the Occupational Therapy Department of Quinnipiac University, serves on the HHRFScientific Review
Committee. Following are some key studies funded by HHRF: Changes in Dynamic Trunk/ Head Stability and Functional Reach after Hippotherapy, The Effect of Equine Assisted Activ ities on Social Functioning in Children with Autism, Hippotherapy to Improve Postural Control in Children with Cerebral Palsy and Effects of Hippotherapy on Balance and Gait in Ambulatory Childr en with Spastic Cerebra l Palsy. Over time, High Hopes has taken part in a number of research studies. During the past two years, for example, we participated in a collaborative research project with LEARN which focused on the effects of therapeutic riding on the behaviors of children with Autism. High Hopes Instructor, Professor Donna Latella, works with her students to conduct research on a wide range of topics specific to equine assisted activities. Most recently, Barbara Abrams, High Hopes Instructor, LPCand PhD candidate, is planning to focus her upcoming doctoral study on military veterans. During the development of our new Strategic Plan, we considered our ro le in research and established a dedicated Task Force which is currently working to determine how High Hopes can most effectively continue to support the validation of EAAT. Scient if ic validation will result in increased credibility and wi ll enhance the value of our services to a wider audience. Additionally, the results of research will help to provide clear indicators of best practices within our field. This is an exciting time for our profession and we look forward to a growing body of scientific support for the benefits of all forms of equine assisted activities and therapies.