When you imagine occupational and speech therapy, a horse usually isn’t in the picture. But at Speech and Occupational Therapy in Motion, barnyard animals are an integral part of the process.
Located in Islandia, licensed speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists work with clients on their individual needs and goals. Incorporating animals, mainly horses, is beneficial because it keeps the clients engaged and entertained. The horses are provided by an equestrian facility called Pal-O-Mine Equestrian–a nonprofit that provides equine-assisted therapeutic programs for children and adults with disabilities, veterans, survivors of trauma, at-risk youth and many others.
In addition to working alongside animals, the practices also offer an accessible playground, treatment rooms inside the building filled with toys, and a pool in the summer. Speech and Occupational Therapy in Motion provide services year-round.
“We had been looking, going to many, many doctors and therapists. Neurologists all over the Tri-State area,” Adam Davi, parent of a client, said. “At some point we found [Speech and Occupational Therapy in Motion]. Kamden took to it very well, and we’ve been here ever since.”
Adam, parent to client Kamden Davi, has brought Kamden to the facility for over 21 years. Kamden is 27 years old and had a stroke while in utero, which led to developmental and physical delays.
Horses, in addition to entertaining clients, help with motor function exercises as well. In order to sit up on the horse, it requires engaging your core muscles. Each horse is chosen for a client based on their physical needs.
“Being on the horse, it focuses him,” Adam Davi said. “It tends to calm him down. It’s really good for his core strength especially because of his limited mobility.”
Tina Rocco, founder of Speech in Motion, explained how each horse is chosen to fit individual client needs.
“Sometimes kids will start on a horse that has a wider base of support and likes less movement,” Rocco said. “Then as they get stronger, we increase the challenge by putting them on a horse who’s a little more narrow and has more movement because we’re always wanting progress in therapy.”
Clients staying with Speech and Occupational Therapy in Motion for years is not uncommon, it is the norm. Colleen Kelly and her child Brendan Sullivan, age 6, have been attending sessions for three years. Sullivan is autistic and has a speech-language delay.
“It is very different from the therapists that we worked with prior to starting here,” Kelly said. “After Brendan’s diagnosis, you’re kind of thrown into what approach to take with therapy. It wasn’t until we came here and worked with this team of therapists that it was child-centered. It’s recognizing the child that’s in front of you and not just a goal that you want them to meet.”
While the integration of horses in sessions is definitely an intriguing factor, it is the employees of the facility who make this place another safe space for these clients.
Liz Massa and her son, Michael Massa, love all aspects of the facility. Michael was diagnosed with Joubert syndrome at five months old, which causes low-tone and poor coordination.
“He absolutely loves the animals and the horses. And because of that, he’s just gotten so much out of it. His speech has just exploded, and I know that Speech and Motion have everything to do with that,” she said. “It’s the only place that I’m comfortable with him going to anyone because I know that Tina isn’t just letting anyone come work here . . . they’re so protective and so loving for these children and their success.”
Kate Scotti, one of the speech therapists, feels fulfilled by her job.
“I love having the opportunity to hear my kids’ voices,” Scotti said. “Whether it’s their speaking voice, whether it’s the voice that their family chose on their communication system, whether it’s through use of gestures or just through self-advocacy behavior. I love seeing kids make progress in ways that allow us to see parts of them that we might not be able to see before they’re able to communicate with them.”
Eileen D’Amico, the founder of Occupational Therapy in Motion, talked about why she was inspired to bring horses into the therapy world.
“I just have such a passion for doing therapy,” she said. “Working with the kids that we serve and combining the movement of the horse during therapy, it’s just a dynamic way to provide therapy. It’s very different and extremely motivating for the kids.”
In addition to working alongside animals, the land at Pal-O-Mine also offers an accessible playground and a pool in the summer. Speech and Occupational Therapy in Motion provide services year-round.
“The horse is a big part of what we do, but it’s definitely not the only thing we do here,” Rocco said.
Angelina Livigni is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.