Occupational Therapy
WITH A SIDE OF RANCH!
Our services
Hippotherapy
Using the movement of the horse to effect change in the person
Therapeutic Riding
Recreational riding adapted for persons with disabilities
Animal Assisted OT
Learning and growing with animals in a natural setting
Our Team
Christine Whitelaw
Christine holds a Bachelors Degree in Occupational therapy and a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Science. Her career spans over 35 years and includes work with clients of all ages and conditions (physical, mental, emotional).
Our therapy Horses
Horses used for hippotherapy must be predictable, non-reactive, consistent, and conditioned for the work. We have more than 60 horses on site so we can choose a horse that is best suited for the individual and therapy.
Other therapy Animals
The ranch also has a variety of other animals that we can work with for mental health and wellness sessions. They include goats, sheep, alpacas, a llama, dogs, cats, a pig, and even a cow!
Our location
New Horizon Ranch
Therapy takes place at New Horizon Ranch, an 80-acre property in Strathcona County, Alberta.
The owner, Iris Rau, maintains a herd of over 60 horses, holds a Diploma in Equine Sciences, and is a CHA certified coach. She has been involved with horses for 40 years and has devoted her adult life to breeding, training, and showing horses as well as coaching young and adult riders. She has opened her home and her farm to various young people, some with mental health challenges, over the years. She has helped these young people, as well as many others, to discover the beauty and wonder of nature, horses and other animals on her farm.
Iris has also completed training as an Equine Assisted Personal Development Coach and offers various programs and lessons.
Fees and SponsorShiP
Fees
Sessions are priced at $150 an hour and costs can be submitted to health benefit plans that cover occupational therapy.
Sponsorship
If you are willing and able to sponsor a child or adult for therapy, please give us a call, as this will allow more people to benefit from our services. While privacy legislation prevents us from sharing information about individuals who are in treatment, we welcome you to come out to the ranch to meet us and our animal friends – bring your family for a fun day at the ranch!
Our Partners
WRC
Rehabilitation
Services
New
Horizon
Ranch
American
Hippotherapy
Association
Equine Assisted
Learning
Canada
Contact
TELEPHONE
780-758-9565
contact@nurturebynature.ca
Mailing Address
305, 14032 – 23 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB T6R 3L6