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KSU PTA and OTA students donate to Focus Hippotherapy

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CeramFab, pictured in the background as the final excavation of the contaminated dirt was completed at the derailment site last month, filed a $500 million dollar lawsuit against Norfolk Southern on Tuesday. The 80,000-foot facility is located within the site itself and directly next to what Unified Command referred to as Car Scrapping Area 4 (the area where burned out cars were dismantled for disposal). The lawsuit charges that the business has suffered direct and substantial damages due to the rail disaster. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

EAST LIVERPOOL - Kent State East Liverpool students from the Occupational Therapy Assistant and the Physical Therapist Assistant programs combined their fundraising efforts to donate $750 to Focus Hippotherapy, an outdoor equestrian facility in Mahoning County that treats individuals with a variety of diagnoses.

Hippotherapy comes from the Greek word "hippos," meaning horse, and is defined as treatment with the help of a horse.

The mission of Focus Hippotherapy is "to offer therapy from licensed/certified physical and occupational therapists using the horse as a tool to develop strength, balance, posture, muscle tone moderation (relaxation or increased tone), motor planning, body awareness, task focus and confidence."

While most clients are children, the facility also accommodates adults. The program serves individuals with challenges such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, autism, traumatic brain injury, Down Syndrome, developmental delays, spina bifida, dementia, stroke and other conditions.

Kent State East Liverpool has partnered with Focus Hippotherapy since 2013 as part of the students' pediatric rotation. Each year, PTA and OTA students from the Kent East Liverpool campus find unique ways to increase awareness about their fields, while raising funds for a cause chosen by the classes.

Starting at /week.