How to become a hippotherapy clinical specialist

How to become a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist

To become a hippotherapy clinical specialist (HPCS) , you typically need a combination of formal education, clinical experience, and certification in both healthcare and equine-assisted therapy. Here’s a general guide to the steps involved:

• Obtain a Degree in a Healthcare Field: You must first be a licensed or certified healthcare professional. Common careers that lead to hippotherapy specialization include physical therapist (PT), occupational therapist (OT), and speech-language pathologist (SLP). To pursue these professions, you need a degree (bachelor's, master's, or doctorate, depending on the field) in the relevant healthcare area (physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology) and pass any required national certification exams (e.g., the NPTE for physical therapists or the NBCOT for occupational therapists).
• Gain Clinical Experience: After obtaining licensure as a healthcare professional, you need at least three years of clinical experience in your specific field (PT, OT, or SLP). Working with patients in a rehabilitation or therapeutic setting will help you develop a strong foundation in patient care, which is essential for transitioning into hippotherapy.
• Complete Hippotherapy-Specific Training: You’ll need to complete specialized training in hippotherapy. This typically involves enrolling in courses provided by the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA). These courses offer education on how to use equine movement as part of therapeutic interventions. Levels I and II of AHA's Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Courses are necessary for building expertise in integrating horses into patient treatment plans.
• Obtain Certification as a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist: After gaining experience and completing hippotherapy training, you can pursue certification as a hippotherapy clinical specialist (see below).

Certification
To become a hippotherapy clinical specialist, certification is overseen by the American Hippotherapy Certification Board (AHCB). Here’s what’s involved in obtaining certification:

• Professional Licensure: You must hold a valid license in a healthcare field, such as physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), or speech-language pathology (SLP). This ensures you have a solid foundation in patient care.
• Hippotherapy-Specific Education: Candidates need to complete training in hippotherapy principles. This includes the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) courses like Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Level I and II. These courses provide the knowledge and practical skills required to integrate equine movement into therapeutic treatment plans.
• Experience: You must accumulate at least 100 hours of direct experience providing hippotherapy treatment as part of your therapy practice. This experience is vital for mastering the use of equine movement in patient treatment.
• Examination: After meeting the educational and experience requirements, you can apply to take the AHCB certification exam. Passing this exam demonstrates your proficiency in hippotherapy and certifies you as a hippotherapy clinical specialist.
• Maintaining Certification: Once you become certified, you will need to renew the certification periodically. This usually involves continuing education and potentially taking advanced hippotherapy courses to stay updated on best practices and new developments in the field.