4 minute read
MAKING STRIDES
Realizing a Dream on the Family Homestead
by Martin Miron
Jillian Estevez MOTR/L is the occupational therapist (OT) and founder of Making Strides, LLC, Equine Assisted Th erapies. She says, “My family has owned Briarfi eld Stables in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, since 1985. I opened my therapy practice, Making Strides, a private outpatient practice that off ers therapy services by licensed therapists, this spring. We utilize equine movement in our treatment sessions—a therapy tool also known as hippotherapy.” Making Strides’ mission is to promote functional independence for people across their lifespan through the use of occupational, speech and physical therapies with the use of equine movement. Estevez explains, “I have been riding horses since I could walk. I have traveled around the country for competitions and have volunteered for our local 4H horse program all throughout college and my adult life. Horses are my passion. I couldn’t imagine my life without them. Our 80-plus-acre facility includes a large indoor riding arena that allows for riding and therapy sessions rain or shine. We are a private horse boarding facility and now a fully operational therapy clinic. Our facility also includes acres of trails, accessible rest rooms, a lounge room/treatment room and large pastures for our horses.” Horses are fed twice a day, receive daily turnout in pastures and stalls are cleaned daily. Making Strides relies heavily on volunteers to lead the horses during treatment sessions and act as side walkers for patient safety. All have safety training and basic horse care/safety training. Most are CPR-certifi ed and have a background in healthcare and/or horsemanship. High school and college students are encouraged to volunteer for community service hours or healthcare hours. “I rely on social media and my website for neighborhood engagement,” says Estevez. “With patient/family consent, I oft en post pictures on our Facebook page of treatment sessions and write small blurbs about therapy and horses to educate the public on what we do and why this therapy tool is so unique and benefi cial.” About starting her path as an undergraduate biology student at Saint Vincent College, she shares, “I knew I wanted to enter into the healthcare fi eld. I have always had a passion for science and human anatomy/physiology. I researched various healthcare professions and loved the holistic and client-centered approach of occupational therapy. I had a professor at Shenandoah University (where I attended OT school) who had her own equine-assisted therapy facility. I ended up doing my research at her practice and loved the results that occupational therapy with the use of equine movement had on our patients.” Estevez would like to expand her services. “Currently I off er OT sessions one day a week, and I just contracted a licensed speech therapist who treats patients one evening a week. Her name is Megan Brown and she is a wonderful pediatric therapist. I would like to contract an additional occupational therapist and eventually a physical therapist. I would love to be open fi ve days a week. Th e ultimate goal is to provide my community with a unique therapy service that is aff ordable, evidenced-based and works,” she shares. Occupational therapy helps people across the lifespan do the things they want and need to do everyday. “For pediatric patients, this can include improving their fi ne motor coordination to help them hold a pencil in school. For an adult with a stroke or brain injury, it can mean improving their dynamic balance and coordination to cook for themselves or dress for the day. We also do a lot of work with helping people use adaptive equipment like prosthetics to help them ambulate in their community,” advises Estevez. “Bottom line: OTs are in the business in helping people of all ages live their lives to the fullest, and in my opinion, that is the ultimate way to promote a healthy lifestyle in mind, body, and spirit.”
For more information about Making Strides, email MakingStrides. Jill@gmail.com or visit MakingStridesllc.com.
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