therapeutic horseback riding

[GiantFetus]

I'm not talking therapeutic riding for us needy pre-meds, I'm referring to mentally and physically disabled children.. just a "by the way."

Well I've been competitively riding horses my whole life and throughout high school I became involved with a volunteer program where disabled children come to the facility to receive therapy through horses and certified instructors/doctors. For instance, a Cerebral Palsy patient rides because the horse's movement is within millimeters to the step of her own. Thus, she's building muscle and facilitating the movement in her hips that she would otherwise not receive, being wheel chair bound.

I have 600+ hours helping out these patients and their mounts. What I want to know is this classified as clinical volunteering or just volunteering? Although I'm not in a hospital setting, it's important to keep in mind that I'm often being drooled on, peed on, and sometimes having my hair pulled. I'm being trained to understand these different diseases/conditions of patients and also learning different techniques to support their muslce movement.

Maybe a simple answer, but I figured I'd ask as it hasn't been asked before. Maybe some other pre-meds might want to consider this volunteer opportunity, it's a real gem.

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[WSOXFAN]

First off, this sounds like an awesome activity. I think you've taken something that you've done your entire life and used it in a way to help others in need of physical therapy. Something like this will stand out in a stack of applications.

I would label this as a clinical volunteering activity, especially since you will be able to describe the activity and state that you are dealing with individuals with physical handicaps and working toward greater range of motion for them. To me, this is similar to somebody volunteering as a rehab assistant in a hospital.

Any way that you label this activity, your description in your application for it should be able to tell the story well and show how you connected a lifelong passion for riding to a future career in medicine helping others.

 

[varsityblue]

I think that activity would qualify as clinical experience, though I'm not an expert by any means.

 

[MartletMD]

I'm not talking therapeutic riding for us needy pre-meds, I'm referring to mentally and physically disabled children.. just a "by the way."

Well I've been competitively riding horses my whole life and throughout high school I became involved with a volunteer program where disabled children come to the facility to receive therapy through horses and certified instructors/doctors. For instance, a Cerebral Palsy patient rides because the horse's movement is within millimeters to the step of her own. Thus, she's building muscle and facilitating the movement in her hips that she would otherwise not receive, being wheel chair bound.

I have 600+ hours helping out these patients and their mounts. What I want to know is this classified as clinical volunteering or just volunteering? Although I'm not in a hospital setting, it's important to keep in mind that I'm often being drooled on, peed on, and sometimes having my hair pulled. I'm being trained to understand these different diseases/conditions of patients and also learning different techniques to support their muslce movement.

Maybe a simple answer, but I figured I'd ask as it hasn't been asked before. Maybe some other pre-meds might want to consider this volunteer opportunity, it's a real gem.

I would label this as a clinical volunteering activity, especially since you will be able to describe the activity and state that you are dealing with individuals with physical handicaps and working toward greater range of motion for them. To me, this is similar to somebody volunteering as a rehab assistant in a hospital.

Wicked cool activity. It sounds minimally clinical to me. However, I would not want this as the only clinical experience on my application. I'd also want to spend some quality time in a hospital or a more traditional environment as well. 🙂

 

[hatteapear]

Hello, always good to meet another rider! I worked for a therapeutic riding stable as well and on my app I listed it as non-clinical. Though there could be an argument made to place it in clinical, I felt like medical schools would probably also like applicants to have spent our clinical time in a setting where we could see what roles doctors played in patient care.

 

[Catalystik]

I feel this activity represents a clinical patient experience provided your description supports the therapeutic nature of what you do, along the same lines as what you've shared with us.

It does not however cover the expectation that you would have some clinical environment experience, which I suggest you seek in a medical facility.

I, too, like the way you've used your love of a lifetime sport as a springboard to helping others.

 

[GiantFetus]

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback. Even if you have no prior experience with horses, I encourage you to look into this "fun" volunteering experience. I think that I'll classify this as a clinical activity when the time comes to apply. Of course, with other hospital based clinical experiences in the same boat.

hatteapear- Nice to know I'm not alone, and I'm sure you enjoy it as much as I do! I definitely see you're prospective on the doctor to patient roles; it is a very valuable point. I think with adequate amounts of shadowing, that could be overlooked however. Therapeutic riding certainly wouldn't be under looked as a general volunteer experience, either. Things to think about.

Thanks

 

[willen101383]

I know of some people here @ PCOM who do the same thing. Such a cool activity and will be sure to pique some ADCOM interest because it is so different!