Testimonials

Play & Motion Occupational Therapy. Lydia Sternfeld

Hippotherapy Mentorship with Melissa 

I came to Melissa after graduating OTR school, with prior experience as a COTA. I had completed Level 1 of the AHA Hippotherapy course, but I wasn’t sure how I wanted to proceed in the profession. Melissa graciously took me under her wing and became my mentor.

I spent 6 months shadowing Melissa as her side walker during all of her sessions, having an opportunity to witness her work in evaluation, assessment, treatment planning, and discharge. I got an extensive and thorough education not only in hands-on treatment principles using Hippotherapy, but in the business practices and administrative side of the profession as well. 

She has a wealth of knowledge, with years of clinical and business experience both running her own facility and practice, and working for a separate facility. I was exposed to a wide range of clinical conditions, including those not seen in a typical clinical environment. 

Melissa is a kind, patient, and tolerant teacher. In answering my constant questions, she never once made me feel inadequate. She took the time to listen and talk things through until there was a comprehensive understanding.

She has an unwavering devotion to the people she treats and the families she works with. Her ethics and sympathy go into every decision to ensure that her clients are getting the most beneficial treatment possible.

I came to Melissa with no plan, no practice, and no prior horse experience. Six months later, I am confidently running my own private practice providing pediatric occupational therapy services with the use of hippotherapy, treating my own clients. Without Melissa, this simply would not have happened.