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Therapeutic Vaulting

You can do it!

Therapeutic Vaulting is ideal for those who may be challenged by physical, cognitive, or emotional conditions where individualized attention in a therapeutic environment will reap the greatest rewards.

Vaulters develop their balance, strength, and flexibility while gaining personal confidence. It is a safe and supportive atmosphere where vaulters progress at their own pace. Classes are similar to the Warm Beach Vaulter’s competitive vaulting program, but with an emphasis on physical, cognitive, and social development.

Adaptive vaulters may choose to move toward competitive vaulting, but the classes are focused upon therapeutic benefit of vaulting rather than preparing for competition.

Class sizes are small with just four to six vaulters per 60 minute class. Each class has a horse handler, an instructor, and two or three assistants for individualized care and attention to the vaulters.

Caregivers/Guardians may participate in vaulting sessions as side walkers to provide support to the participant if needed. Prior arrangements must be authorized by therapeutic vaulting instructor.

2018 Session Schedule

Session 1: January 23-March 30
Session 2: April 9-June 15
Session 3: September 10-November 16
Each session includes 10 classes, once per week. Participants will be placed in one of the following classes:

Tuesday: 4:00-5:30
Wednesday 11:00-12:30
Thursday 4:00-5:30
Friday 11:00-12:30
Once approved & registered, the program director will place students in appropriate classes for each session. Please note your schedule availability in the application form.

Class size: 4-6 participants
Length of class: 60 minutes
Ages: 4+ | adult

Cost

$650 per session, 10 classes per session.

Registration

  1. Review the Eligibility Requirements
  2. Submit completed application form to Ginger Reitz: 
    email: greitz@warmbeach.com
    mail: Warm Beach Camp
    20800 Marine Dr
    Stanwood, WA 98292
  3. Assessment visit. Prospective participants will be contacted to schedule an appointment. 
    A $50 assessment fee is required and will be applied to the registration cost of a session. Sorry, no refunds if the assessment results in our inability to serve an applicant.
  4. Warm Beach Camp staff will determine the suitability of this activity for the prospective participant and if approved will place them in an appropriate class.

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Generally, participants will be able to demonstrate the following characteristics for participation:
Physical: Participants should walk independently on uneven surfaces, without assistant devices such as crutches, walkers or chairs. They should have the ability to move backward, sideways, stand and walk without falling. Demonstrate good neck and head control, shoulder stability and arm strength. Tolerate weight bearing exercises. Must have ability to have some hearing from a distance to be able to follow instructions. Therapeutic Vaulting participants must also be able to dismount immediately from the horse or the barrel.
Weight: Limit of 150 pounds (for mounted activities)
Cognitive: Ability and willing to follow direction. Demonstrate healthy self-preservation. Demonstrate self-restraint in case of frustration.
Social: Ability to function in a group setting. Must be able to share. Demonstrate safe behavior around fellow vaulters and horse.

Health Condition Precautions & Contraindications
The following conditions, if present may represent Precautions & Contraindications to therapeutic horsemanship. Therefore, when considering participation, please note in the application form whether these conditions are present and to what degree. Medical consent from your physician may be necessary to include in any equine related activity

MEDICAL/SURGICAL
Allergies (specifically grasses, animals and dust)
Aneurysm
Cancer
Cerebral Palsy
Diabetes
Gastrostomy Tube
Heart Condition
Hypertension
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Poor Endurance
Recent Surgery
Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)
Known Thrombus
Known Embolus
Varicose Veins
NEUROLOGICAL
Chiari ii Malformation
Hemophilia
Hydrocephalus/Shunt
Hydromyelia
Seizures
Spina Bifida
Tethered Cord

ORTHOPEDIC
Arthritis
Atlantoaxial Instabilities
Coxarthrosis
Cranial Deficits
Heterotopic Ossification
Hip Subluxation & Dislocation
Internal Spinal Stabilization Devices (such as Harrington Rods)
Kyphosis
Lordosis
Non-Weight Bearing (requiring transfers with a Hoyer-lift)
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Osteoporosis
Paralysis
Pathologic Fractures
Scoliosis
Spinal Fusion
Spinal Instabilities/Abnormalities
Spinal Orthoses
SECONDARY CONCERNS
Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Disorder
Behavior Problems (including aggression, self-mutilation)
Indwelling Catheter
Any form of Port
G-tube/J-tube/NG Tube of liquid diet feeding
Weight limit of 150 pounds (for mounted activities)

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People with a combination of diagnosis such as, but not limited to, the following will benefit:

  • ADD/ADHD
  • Amputation
  • Arthritis
  • Autism
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Developmental delay or disability
  • Down Syndrome
  • Emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues
  • Foster or adoption
  • Genetic conditions/disorders
  • Head trauma/brain injury
  • Hearing or Visual impairment
  • Learning disability
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Orthopedic disorder
  • Paralysis
  • PTSD
  • Spina Bifida
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Stroke
  • Trauma
  • Youth identified as “at risk”

Is this program right for me or my loved one?
With such a wide range of conditions potentially benefitting from Therapeutic Vaulting, care is taken to select those who can safely participate. In order to be placed in a class, prospective adaptive vaulters must first submit completed application form and attend an assessment class supervised by the Director of the Therapeutic Vaulting Program. Care is taken to make sure that each one can participate safely and be successful within the class structure we can provide. A physician permission to participate may be required. Medical and liability releases will be required.

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Cancellations prior to the start of class will be credited for full tuition minus a $50 administrative fee. No refunds are offered once class has begun. Exceptions may be made for emergencies. No refunds are made when missing a class offered as an alternative. Credit will be given for class cancellations made by the staff, not including weather or “Acts of God.” Generally, the program will follow the inclement weather school closure schedules of the Stanwood and Lakewood School districts.

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