Programs        

PLEASE NOTE:

Clients: 

Winter classes start the week of January 11, 2010

Prospective clients see "Prospective Client Registration Information" below.

If interested in PHR's Hippotherapy Programs with Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists, please contact the Ranch office as soon as possible (see description of program below).

Ranch office (303)841-4043.

When a client has registered and has been assigned a class time and it has been approved by parent, but the client does not call or show for the first classes of the new session, there will be a $50 charge assessed for holding the spot. PHR has many clients waiting to participate in the programs and holding a spot for a no-show prevents participation by others.

• Equine Program:

Utilizes the horse as a tool whereby the client learns to influence the horse.  Goals are set by riding instructors, clients' teachers/parents for each individual, and evaluations are made based on achievement and progress.  Clients achieve relaxation, physical and mental growth, auditory, visual and just have fun!  Trained and loving volunteers are used for side walking and head walking the horse when needed.  

• Hippotherapy:

Hippotherapy is a term that refers to the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment tool by Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists to address impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities in patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. Hippotherapy is used as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes.

In hippotherapy, the patient engages in activities on the horse that are enjoyable and challenging. In the controlled hippotherapy environment, the therapist modifies the horse's movement and carefully grades sensory input. Specific riding skills are not taught (as in therapeutic horseback riding); but rather a foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing. This foundation can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities.

Clients in this program are required to be evaluated by our therapy department.  Appointments must be arranged through the Ranch office. 

• Harness Driving:

Harness Driving is another program option at PHR.   Carriage driving is in some ways more suitable than riding for some disabled people.  "When I'm harness driving no one knows I've temporarily swapped my wheelchair for a horse and carriage.  I'm just like everybody else."  It is an asset to any therapeutic riding program for the young and senior clients.  It provides:

• Opportunities for those who are unable to ride astride a horse and presents an enjoyable sporting event.

• Driving a horse offers clients a sense of independence and accomplishment.

• Opportunities for wheelchair clients to learn to rely entirely on hand and voice commands to make his/her wishes known to the horse.

• Develops the client's confidence and self-esteem.

• Develops sensory and visual integration.

• Strengthens arms and hands and enhances cognitive skills.

• Horticultural Experience:

For all things began in a garden--therefore PHR has started a sensory garden.  The garden is divided into bays:  Butterfly garden, Scripture garden, Rose garden, and Bird Sanctuary.  Each bay has wheelchair paths, plantings to see, taste, smell, feel, hear, and to enjoy.  PHR's very special clients can have hands-on, sensory stimulating activities.  Quiet bays with benches, etc., make private places for the therapists and clients to work together.

Benefits and Goals:

• Gross Motor Coordination:  Pushing a wheelbarrow; pulling a rake or hoe; weeding.

• Fine Motor Coordination:  Planting and spacing seeds of varying sizes and the proper depth; flower arranging.

• Eye-Hand Coordination:  Watering flower pots; filling pots with soil.

• Tactile:  Differentiation of texture and form; removing leaves; pinching out but tips.

• Spatial Relations:  Determining size to dig hole for a root ball.

• Position in Space:  Dropping seeds in rows; watering.

• Small Animal Experience:

A positive step forward in learning to care for others, to touch (tactile, sensory integration), and to be courageous in establishing personal relationships with animals and people.  Clients are unconditionally loved by animals. 

• Troubled Youth Programs

Specially designed programs in cooperation with group home adolescent centers.  This includes working on maintenance of the ranch, animal husbandry, bonding with animals, learning basic horsemanship, and learning to volunteer with handicapped children and adults.  Hard physical work relieves stress and teaches them to use their strength and aggressions appropriately.  Feeding and caring for animals becomes a responsibility, and these youth are unconditionally accepted.  Choosing a horse to care for, to tack, and learn to ride builds a sense of self-esteem and acceptance of another's authority.  Some will graduate to a Peer-Tutor Program where they will step into shoes of authority themselves, and learn to serve others. 

• Prospective Client Registration Information

All prospective Clients must register by Clicking Here to fill out a web form or  by letter or by fax (720) 851-7679. Please include who has referred you – name, address, and phone number.

Please date your letter – this determines the client’s placement. Prospective Client’s name, address, phone number, age, weight, height, special needs, and has the student ridden before?  If so, where and how long? Any fear of horses or animals?  Any allergies?  Mention the goals the parents, adult clients, or therapist are currently working on.

If client is under age – provide name of parent/guardian, address, phone number for work and home.  Adult clients – give us your home and work phone numbers, as well as your address.

Classes at Praying Hands Ranch are six days a week, Mondays through Saturdays.  Classes are one hour in length and are generally held from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.  Some days we have late afternoon classes available, depending on our clients’ needs.  Equine sessions with riding instructors are eight weeks long and are Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.  Hippotherapy sessions on a one-to-one basis with a therapist are ongoing.  Registrations are now being taken.

A Physical Therapist Evaluation may be necessary before assigning a client to a class, so please include any personal information that would help us to place your client’s special needs in Equine or Hippotherapy programs.

Please note, due to safety precautions for both clients and horses, we are no longer able to take clients over the age of 70, or in excess of 180 pounds (unless it is in the Harness Driving Program).

If we are able to place your client, please be advised and prepared by wearing proper attire and sturdy shoes. You may be needed to assist in your client’s class as a volunteer.

If you need more information or would like to visit the ranch, please call us at 303-841-4043.  Office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Thank you.

Shirley Hanson
Executive Director, Praying Hands Ranches, Inc.
4825 E. Daley Circle
Parker, CO 80138

The following is the class schedule for 2009:

NEW!!!

Praying Hands Ranch (PHR) is in the process of setting up the infrastructure for a new program,  "Heroes on Horses". 

 PHR sent four staff members to the "Trot" program in Arizona to attend a seminar on working with Disabled Veterans with Equine Therapy.

 

  The Veterans Administration has visited PHR and commented that this is a very appropriate facility and suggested starting to bring veterans this Spring, 2009.  The therapy offered here at PHR will include:  Equine Therapy with certified riding instructors, Hippotherapy with Occupational Therapists, Equine Assisted Psychology and Therapeutic Horticulture Expericence.

 

Two Electric lifts have been installed in the indoor riding arenas for assisting the mounting of disabled veterans in PHR Equine Therapeutic Programs.

 

 PHR is adding two large and strong horses to use in these programs.

 

PHR and the veterans appreciate any help you can offer.

 

PHR is a 501-(C) (3) nonprofit organization.

OUR VETS NEED HELP!

Thank you so much for any support you can give for these much needed programs.

 

 

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PHR Serves Spanish Speaking Families

El Rancho Praying Hands Provee Servicios a Familias Que Hablen Espanol

Praying Hands Ranch is pleased to announce that we are able to assist Spanish speaking families who may be interested in equine therapeutic riding or hippotherapy.

For over 20 years, Praying Hands Ranch (PHR) has worked to meet the needs of handicapped children and adults in a therapeutic ranch environment.  Instructors are certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).  Clients' ages range from 24 months to 60 years.  We serve all handicapped clients who have been approved by their physicians to participate in PHR's Equine Therapeutic or Hippotherapy Program (please call PHR office for medical forms and information).  Disabilities include, but not limited to:  Cerebral Palsy, Autism, emotionally disabled, Down Syndrome, multiple handicapped, Hydrocephalic, Multiple Sclerosis, TBI, and Stroke.

For more information regarding our programs or assistance with the prospective client registration process, please contact the Ranch at 303-841-4043, or email hansonphr@myawai.com, or contact PHR Volunteer Beth Killebrew at 303-504-9848, or johnbeth42@msn.com.

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El Rancho Praying Hands tiene el gusto de annuciar que podemos asistir a las familias que hablan espanol que pueden ser interesadas en el montar a caballo terapeutico equino o hippotherapy.

Por mas de veinte anos, El Rancho Praying Hands (PHR) ha trabajado para resolver las necesidades de ninos y adultos perjudicados en un ambiente terapeutico del rancho.  Los instructores estan certificados por la asociacion de montar a caballo para los inabilitados de norte america (NARHA).  Las edades de los clientes se extienden a partir de 24 meses a 60 anos.  Servimos a todos los clientes perjudicados que han sido aprobados por sumedico para participar enterapeutico equino del PHR o en el programa de Hippoterapy (llame por favor ala oficina del PHR para las formas y la informacion medicas).

Inabilitados incluyen, pero no limitadosa:  Paralisis cerebral, Spina fifido, Autism, inhabilitado emociionalmente, Sindrome Downs, haber perjudicado multiple, Hydrocephalic, esclerosis multiple, danos de cerebro, y movimiento.

Par mas informacion con respecto a nuestros programas o la ayuda con el proceso del registro del cliente anticipado, entre en contacto por favor con el rancho en 303-841-4043 o hansonphr@myawai.com, o para informacion o asistencia en espanol entre en contacto con la voluntaria de PHR Elizabeth Killebrew en 303-504-9848 o johnbeth42@msn.com.

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