Embrace Every Step

Risewell Foundation provides therapies that engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems, promoting functional outcomes for clients and their families. Using our set of therapeutic disciplines, we evaluate each client and provide an individually tailored treatment plan. This process extends to the development of home programs to better support each client and their family. 

We provide therapy in a variety of natural settings and environments in order to treat individual needs. Treatment tools vary greatly depending on client goals, but we utilize horse handling and horse care whenever appropriate. This incorporates the horse's dynamic movement to support functional outcomes. 

The use of medical-quality equine movement as a treatment tool is often called hippotherapy. Originating from the Greek word “hippos,” meaning horse, it roughly translates to “treatment with the help of the horse.”  While not a standalone therapy or modality, it is an advanced practice therapy tool to be used by an AHCB Certified Therapist as a part of a patient’s overall care plan.

Skilled therapy services are covered by most medical insurance providersand considered medically necessary as dictated per a patient's insurance policy. We require a referral  from a physician for the services provided. We are in the process currently credentialing with many medical insurance companies and will update our website to reflect in-network insurance. 

Starting Fall 2024:

• Occupational Therapy

Coming in 2025:

• Speech Therapy
• Physical Therapy 
• Mental Health Services

Risewell Foundation believes horsemanship is the foundation of all riding and can often provide a deep opportunity for personal growth. As clients learn about the mind of the horse, this growth supports emotional regulation and mindfulness. The essence of horsemanship is understanding and cooperating with the horse through a patient, thoughtful process of trust building and gentle training. 

Risewell Foundation provides foundational opportunities to grow horsemanship for all skill levels, improving the health and wellness of our community of horses and their owners. This, in turn, builds a strong foundation to those new to the horse world. These basic tenants have evolved into our core academy curriculum.

These services, though extremely beneficial, are not covered by insurance and considered recreational programming. Participants seeking to join these programs should consider this aspect when planning their involvement.

Horsemanship Academy Offerings:

• Parent and Child Introductions to Horsemanship & Horseback Riding Lessons 
• Advanced Horsemanship Groundwork Clinics 
• Equine Rehabilitation 
• Working Student Scholarship 

Equine-Assisted Activites (EAA) encompass a range of programs that involve interactions between humans and horses for therapeutic benefit and personal growth. EAA emphasize promoting emotional well-being and professional development. 

Although equine-assisted activities have extensive benefits, they are not considered medically necessary services and are not covered by health insurance. Participants seeking to join these programs should consider this aspect when planning their involvement 

Coming 2025 

• Therapeutic (Adaptive) Horseback Riding 
• Equine-Assisted Social Groups
• Equine-Assisted Parent Support Groups

There is a lack of available mentorship supporting both basic and advanced credneitaling, and Risewell Foundation aims to remedy this issue. We provide ethical and evidence-based services, and we are committed to helping service providers and recipients of equine services rise with us.

Risewell Foundation has Identified the following key areas of need for professionals and organizations seeking to access credentialing and certification in the equine assisted and hippotherapy treatment space.

• Hands-On Mentorship & Supervision: Mentorship and supervision for one-on-one direct patient treatment that provides basic and advanced areas of competency for credentialing. We work through organizations such as the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA ) and the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Inc.). This includes clinical education for student placements, continuing education, and research collaborations to support culturally relevant and appropriate care.
• High-Level Clinical Research & Replication Studies: The use of equine movement and equine assisted activities has significant research and evidence to support its effectiveness. Still, not enough replication studies and large study sizes have been completed. Risewell is committed to utilizing health technology, inter-program research, and quantitative research methods to expand and refine knowledge of the advantages and limitations of integrating equines in therapeutic services and adaptive reaction.

Risewell Foundation takes pride in providing current, safe, evidence-based practices to support our clients. We ensure all staff complete and comply with rigorously developed standards, credentialing, and education developed by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Int.), The American Hippotherapy Association (AHA), and the United State Pony Club (USPC). We are excited to expand our affiliations to include Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) in 2025 to provide the most current practices in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy.