Engaging Physical Therapy, LLCA physical therapy practice located in Portsmouth and North Kingstown, Rhode Island that specializes in hippotherapy — a treatment method that uses the movement of the horse.
Our Services
Engaging Physical Therapy provides physical therapy services in a natural environment, whether at home or in the community, to people living in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.
Founder Mary Helene Chaplin (PT, MS, HPCS) brings over 30 years of experience treating adults and children with both acquired and congenital neuromotor, gait, and balance impairments, as well as expertise in adaptive equipment fitting and use, including seating and mobility devices.
What is hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy or the use of equine movement in therapy, uses the movement of the horse as a therapy tool to improve functional outcomes & independence.
As described by the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc., hippotherapy is the skilled and purposeful manipulation of equine (horse) movement as a treatment tool provided by a physical therapist, occupation therapist or speech language pathologist.
The horse’s movement offers multiple motor and sensory inputs to the patient which are purposely manipulated by a skilled therapist to facilitate desired responses. Carryover of improvements seen when off the horse, can include improved balance, ambulation, and performance with daily tasks and activities.
About Us
Mary Helene Chaplin (PT, MS, HPCS) has been a practicing physical therapist in Rhode Island and Massachusetts since 1984, and a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPCS) since 2007.
She has extensive experience providing physical therapy to individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan (infants through geriatric ages). Additionally, Mary Helene has experience working with adults with multiple neurological and orthopedic diagnoses in home care and assisted living settings in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Mary Helene has been incorporating hippotherapy into physical therapy services for over 25 years. Since 2009, she has worked as a coordinating faculty member for the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. (AHA, Inc,) and currently serves as secretary on the AHA, Inc. Board of Directors, is co-chair of the AHA, Inc. Education Committee, and is also a member of the AHA, Inc. Research Committee. Locally, Mary Helene serves on the RI APTA Legislative committee and serves on the Board of Directors for RI APTA.
Mary Helene's current practice, Engaging Physical Therapy, LLC is located in Rhode Island, and offers some availability in southeastern Massachusetts. The focus of Engaging Physical Therapy is to provide at-home and community based physical therapy in a natural environment, and when appropriate incorporate the use of hippotherapy to improve functional outcomes and independence.
Hippotherapy services are provided at Morning Star Horse Farm, 2415 Tower Hill Rd. Saunderstown, Rhode Island 02874.