A true partnership was created this past fall when Pillar Elementary School came to the farm SIX times for occupational therapy services provided by the energetic and compassionate Emily Bucher, OTR/L. Mane Stream has seen a significant increase in school field trips during 2023, indicating that schools are embracing and supporting diverse learning styles. These trips are usually activity-based and may or may not offer a short adaptive riding lesson.
This partnership however provides an even greater level of support…Occupational Therapy services! Each week local therapist Emily Bucher works with a dedicated and skilled team of volunteers, program director, Jen Dermody, and our amazing team of therapy ponies. The group of students are split into three groups of three, each waiting their turn for time on the horse.
get to know Emily
Emily is an occupational therapist, born and raised in Clinton, NJ. She is a certified clinical specialist in autism, pediatric anxiety, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. She has advanced training in neuromotor approaches for children with developmental delays and musculoskeletal disorders to promote confident movement and play skills. Emily is experienced in running social skill-building groups to build improved social engagement and peer play skills. Emily earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from Thomas Jefferson University and has clinical experience in the neonatal intensive care unit, early intervention, school-based therapy, outpatient clinics, and equine-assisted therapy. Her number one goal is to support children and their families in building skills and confidence.
Emily first fell in love with horses while participating in summer camps as a child, and since then, has enjoyed being in the saddle to ride up a volcano and even ride in the Caribbean Sea! She is an avid yogi, and road cyclist and enjoys reading, hiking, and coaching for Girls on the Run International.
When we asked Emily what she has learned since joining the Mane Stream team she replied, “As members of a child’s team we should never place limits or doubts on the potential of a child. The students coming for this program have faced several medical complexities and challenges since birth. However, this program has opened my eyes to what the faith of others, encouragement, and healing and motivating nature of therapy that uses the horse’s movement can bring. When we set the bar high, they met it every single time. I am now always willing to be surprised and proven wrong by a child.”
In addition to being surprised, Emily loved all the smiles she saw each week! “The students arrived at Mane Stream each week either in their power wheelchairs or being walked in hand in hand with their personal aide. Moments later they were on a horse, engaged in therapy and looking like royalty. It sounds exaggerated but if you saw how beautifully upright they sat, with their shoulders back and chin high, and with such pride and wide smiles, they really looked like kings and queens as they circled the arena and rode the property around the barn. Some even loved to be in control and assertive, telling the horse to stop- “Whoa” - and “go”. Every week we got to see their confidence bloom, right along with their smiles.”
Treating at Mane Stream is not like treating at a traditional clinic, and can be challenging. “There’s a lot of moving parts. With safety and the betterment of each child being a priority there is a lot to consider: the appropriate tack, the appropriate horse, and the best way to group the students. Some weeks it rained, and some weeks there was high wind. It definitely calls for adaptability, creativity, and the willingness to be flexible. But it also made it extremely fun and dynamic and each week brought something new that sometimes made the therapy sessions even better than expected!
Part of the difference in treating at Mane Stream is managing a team of volunteers. “Working with the volunteers who provide their time, care, and attention is incredible. It is so apparent how much everyone looks forward to showing up for the kids each week. From high fives, to encouraging words, and even ensuring that each child not only has a safe and productive session, but also gets a few moments after the therapy session to thank, pet, and connect with the horses. It is surely an amazing and dedicated team and I could not have done it without them!”
