SERVICES
Skilled Occupational, Speech & Music Therapy
OCCUPATIONAL & SPEECH THERAPY
Equine Movement
Occupational therapy utilizing equine movement provides clients the opportunity to engage in OT sessions while seated on a horse. Using the horse's movement as a tool to facilitate improved postural control, motor development, sensory integration, and social emotional/self-regulation skills, clients engage in a variety of therapy tasks to maximize growth! The horse provides natural challenges in postural control and gross motor development, to improving oral motor skills and fine motor development. From children who have yet to start walking to older adults experiencing dementia, OT utilizing equine movement provides a meaningful and engaging therapy session across the lifespan.
Speech therapy utilizing equine movement combines the therapeutic benefits of horse movement with meaningful communication opportunities in a fun, motivating environment. During these co-treatment sessions with occupational therapy, children naturally practice language, social communication, following directions, problem-solving, and self-advocacy while interacting with horses and participating in equine activities. The rhythmic movement of the horse can support attention, regulation, and engagement, creating an ideal foundation for communication growth. Best of all, children are often so engaged in the experience that learning feels like an adventure rather than therapy.
OCCUPATIONAL & SPEECH THERAPY
Farm Therapy
Occupatonal therapy using the farm-based environment provides ample opportunity to generalize learned skills from our clinical locations to a natural environment. Using goats, chickens, cats, and our mini donkey & horse, clients get the opportunity to work on self-regulation, problem solving, time management, and socialization skills throughout sessions. Quality time spent with our animals or in our therapeutic & adaptive garden ensures that clients of all abilities are able to enjoy a farm-based experience. Occupational therapy on the farm provides real life, hands-on skills to then bring into the home, school and public environment.
Farm-based speech therapy sessions bring communication to life through hands-on experiences with animals, gardening, and daily farm activities. Whether feeding chickens, caring for goats, planting vegetables, or exploring the farm, children are surrounded by natural opportunities to ask questions, make requests, describe what they see, engage in conversations, and build vocabulary. The farm provides a motivating and meaningful environment where communication happens for real-life purposes, making speech and language skills more functional and easier to carry over into everyday life. It's a place where children can learn, grow, and have fun while building confidence in their communication skills.
MUSIC THERAPY
Equine Movement & Farm Therapy
Music therapists work collaboratively with occupational therapists and the horse team to provide music assisted equine therapy. Music can support communication and vocalizing as riders are prompted to fill in the blank for preferred songs or tell their horse to "Go!" when they're ready to ride. Playing instruments while on the horse or completing musical cognitive tasks can support core strength while also providing opportunities for problem solving.
Music therapy can support farm based sessions by providing cognitive, motor and socioemotional support as clients engage in tasks. Music activates the left and right side of the brain, making it a supportive tool to help individuals with attentiveness, sequencing tasks, coordinating body movement, as well as identifying and expressing emotions and coping skills. At the farm, this could look like using music to express how an animal may be feeling or attending to a task for the length of a song.
In order for a client to participate in music services at Iron Horse, they must qualify and receive services from Elevate Music Therapy.
Wanting to start services?
PCP Referral
Please have the patient's physician send a referral for occupational therapy to our fax line: 970-541-0357
You will then be added to our evaluation wait-list & a patient care coordinator will contact you to schedule the eval.
Learn more at Integrated Pediatric Therapy Associates.
Evaluation
All OT & SLP evaluations will be completed in the clinical offices at either Windsor or Greeley. All patients must qualify for skilled OT/SLP services. This is to ensure appropriate fit & medical necessity for farm-based services.
Farm Waitlist
Once evaluated, either the evaluating therapist or ongoing therapist will refer to the farm wait list.
Once your child is at the top and there are openings in the schedule, you will be contacted by the clinical director to schedule ongoing visits.