Dynamic Strides Therapy

The ultimate goal? Meaningful engagement through authentic connection.

A new game can spark conversation, build skills, and create opportunities for children to learn from one another, all while having fun!

🚨 The ball pit is lava! 🚨

Our therapy challenge was simple: make it through the obstacle course without touching a single ball. Easier said than done! 😄

Who do you think conquered the challenge and escaped the "lava" safely?

Meowdy -

Everyone gets to pick a prize when they leave. I think I am THE BEST prize option in the basket. For real though, Ms. Kelsey added some excellent stickers this week. I always enjoy checking out the best ones every week.

-Momo🐾

The arena usually hosts horses, but while our herd enjoys some well-deserved downtime before summer session, the space has been taken over by bicycles! 🚲🐴

The same obstacles our horses step over to encourage changes in movement patterns can also become navigation challenges for riders on bikes, creating fun and creative therapy opportunities along the way.

Social-emotional goals play a huge role in pediatric therapy. They help create the playful, meaningful experiences that are such an important part of childhood while encouraging growth, confidence, and connection. 💙

Our gyms provide endless opportunities for those natural moments of learning and interaction, and our therapists are always happy to jump in and support the fun along the way.

Pediatric therapy is never one-size-fits-all 💙

A little balance training, a little fine motor work, a little executive functioning… and a whole lot of fun! Every session is designed to help children build confidence, develop new skills, and reach goals in ways that feel engaging and encouraging. 🌟

☀️ We’re excited to officially swing into the first week of summer!

Our Program Director has sent out emails with information about this summer’s program offerings. We can’t wait for all the fun, learning, and memories ahead!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 💜

Motivation for therapy can come from many places, and on these beautiful days, our favorite therapy horses are happy to help lead the way. 🐴☀️

Sometimes it’s motivation to say a new word, take an extra step, or move outside of a comfort zone. No matter the goal, our herd is always ready to encourage, support, and inspire along the journey.

Meowdy -

If anyone is looking for a buddy for a race through the grass in the sunshine, I am ready!

-Momo 🐾

They say the best horses go to heaven without a tail.... Melvin will fit well into that honored group. Several months ago, Melvin was noted by staff to be "off". Medical testing at that time revealed a hepatitis of unknown cause. After extensive testing, an anomaly was discovered on an ultrasound that was assumed to be the cause of his liver dysfunction. His case was discussed both with our local vets, and with several large referral hospitals, and our equine team followed the recommendations of the skilled group of clinicians advising on his case. Unfortunately, the treatment recommendations did not prove to be a long-term solution to his condition, and he continued to display significant functional decline. Due to this decline, the equine team made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him on Friday afternoon. Melvin left this world peacefully, surrounded by people who loved him fiercely and passionately until the end.

Melvin was well known in the Springfield equine community and volunteers often remarked how well this role seemed to suit him. A perpetual showman, he was the horse that all lesson riders learned to canter on, and he was happy to carry them on laps of his slow, rocking chair gait. Where he truly shined was in hippotherapy sessions. Melvin had the uncanny ability to match his energy to the needs of his patients, every single ride. He was bold when needed, and quiet when asked. He tolerated every behavior and activity without batting an eye, and he was one of the few who was approved for bubbles with no questions asked.

Our staff has set up a small memorial in the viewing room for staff, friends and families to share their Melvin stories, leave a message of hope, or just take a last look at his gorgeous face. If you have any special memories of one of the best boys to grace this arena, feel free to share it below.

Rest in peace big man, you leave huge shoes to fill.