Monthly Archives: March 2018

Autism and Developmental Disability Conference (ADDC)

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On the 7th of April 2018

An intrepid Boy Scout, Lance Davenport is running the Autism and Developmental Disability Conference (ADDC) in Weedsport, New York at the Weedsport Junior-Senior High School. The conference involves speakers for the attendees along with activities for  developmental disabled individuals and their family. The conference proves to be an educational and beneficial resource for people wishing to learn more about services, resources, and strategies for people with developmental disabilities.

They plan to have a bunch of saddc-poster.pngpeakers from different sides of the professional world. One speaker, Marilyn Chadwick, a speech/language pathologist that runs BodySpeaks will be there. Marilyn Chadwick has worked all over the world with the disable, using and teaching Facilitated Communication Training (FCT) to help better the lives of her clients.

Another speaker will be Kathy Fagan, a coach for a Special Olympics swim team, Cayuga Swimming will be at the conference speaking on her work and experience.

Of Course, Healing H’Arts CEO and head therapist, Kirsta Malone will be there to speak on hippotherapy and the wonderful progress she has witnessed from it. Kirsta Malone works with a wide range of clients through hippotherapy and has also opened her work up in away others can learn to do what she does.

A speech pathologist, hippotherapist, and a swim coach are just to a start; the ADDC promises to have more speakers from a variety of professions involved in working toward bettering the lives of people with Autism and other disabilities.  

Among the activities listed are swimming in the pool and art activities. Don’t forget to grab those swim suits and towels if you wish to participate. Besides that, there will be therapy dogs. There will be plenty to see and do, and learn. 

This event is not just for educators and families’ with disabled individuals. If you, yourself work in the health field or find that this conference has benefits to your life or profession, then come. To be educated is to understand and work toward a future for everybody.  

The event is Saturday, the 7th of April 2018 from 10am-2pm.

 

#HHarts Event Calendar:

7th April 2018, The ADDC in Weedsport, NY
28th April 2018, The Sap Run/Walk 5K and Pancakes in Union Springs, NY
6th October 2018, Barn Blessing and BBQ Fundraiser in Union Springs, NY

 

Written by Greg T. Miraglia

Animal Assisted Training

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Tuesday the 27th of February

Healing H’Arts Equestrian Center hosted an Animal Assisted Therapy course for students from Ithaca College. Kirsta Malone ran a demonstration with a willing client and two other associates beside her therapy horse, Rosebud. Kirsta ran the appointment mostly as she would of, with the only exception being, her stopping and giving the observing students an in-depth understanding of why she is doing what she is doing.   

The small group of Ithaca students were from all around; a good portion came from New York State, while others hailed from places like Massachusetts and Connecticut. They were supervised by Assistant Professor Anna Grasso of Ithaca College’s Department of Occupational Therapy. Assistant Professor Grasso was herself a 2009 graduate from Ithaca College where she came back to help educate others in her chosen field. She offered that “although OT’s don’t usually use animals, they can be a good tool” to understand. Kirsta at one point allowed Assistant Professor Grasso to act as a side-walker holding the clients foot in the stirrups.

Before this course Assistant Professor Grasso and her students (graduate students), gained assisted animal experience working with Ithaca’s Guiding Eyes for the blind program. Most of the students were new to the idea of working with horses, especially in the capacity of occupational therapy.

One student, Zihui Adams had four years of Summer camp riding and had volunteered at a riding therapy place while in high school. This proved not all the students were new comers to the idea of using horses in occupational therapy. Zihui and the other students watched as Kirsta directed the activity and her horse leader, Maddie Clark led Rosebud, the butterscotch coloured horse with the client atop. The day’s session ran for three hours, however the course itself is a ten week look at what it’s like out in the field with animals and clients, as well as the good that can be done putting the two together.

Assistant Professor Grasso said, “in person, hearing from an expert like Kirsta is important for the students,” and expressed the hopes that the students will learn the benefits of using animals in occupational therapy. For clients, it is “functionally… useful for learning routine and responsibility, which will translate into other life activities,” said Assistant Professor Grasso.

Talking to the students toward the end of their session, they seemed to enjoy the “hands on” approach and they agreed that they would recommend this course to future Ithaca students in the Occupational Therapy program. When finishing up with his appointment, the client, after feeding Rosebud a carrot, told the student, “goodbye, it was nice to meet you all.”   

 

Written by Greg T. Miraglia

2nd Annual 5K Sap Run/Walk

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Come run or walk on the 28th of April at 10 am.

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Healing H’Arts Annual Sap Run Flyer 2018

The links underneath the pictures will take you to the printable documents. Come help Healing H’Arts in order to help others. At 1 pm there will be pancakes as well. A nice country air run and some delicious pancakes.

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Healing H’Arts Annual Sap Run Flyer 2018 page 2

Take a look at our event page on Facebook. We will be updating on there.

Recap on event dates:

-This event on 28th April 2018
-6th October 2018 is the Barn Blessing and BBQ

 

Written and posted by Greg T. Miraglia