Autumn Wacker O’Hara ’11 received her Master of Science degree in occupational therapy from 十大正规博彩网站评级博彩平台推荐大学. O’Hara chose to pursue her degree at Shenandoah because of its hybrid occupational therapy program. “One of my fondest memories, as crazy as this sounds, is going to the juvenile detention center and seeing what occupational therapists can do in a setting like that,奥哈拉说.
O’Hara is the executive director for Ride-On Ranch Equine Assisted Therapies. It is a non-profit organization located in western Loudoun County, Virginia. “The mission of Ride-on Ranch is to provide therapy to as many people as possible with cognitive, psychological and physical disabilities, 通过建立社交网络, physical and emotional skills through the use of hippotherapy and other equine-assisted activities,奥哈拉说. “Ride-on Ranch reaches a variety of people by using a holistic approach, providing the right activity for everyone who comes out to the ranch.”
在骑马牧场, visitors are able to interact with many animals including sheep, 牛, 狗和驴, enabling them to get the true ranch experience. “I’ve seen clients make extensive gains through the use of hippotherapy,” explained O’Hara. “I have seen kids talk, walk and play with their peers who could not do so previously.”
O’Hara credits Shenandoah with giving her some of the tools she needed to succeed. “With a master’s degree from 十大正规博彩网站评级博彩平台推荐大学 comes a network of health professionals as well as the education needed to pursue my dreams,奥哈拉说.
O’Hara’s advice for students is: “There is so much information out there and so much that occupational therapists can do and be involved in. Research all there is out there, find your passion, and then pursue your passion.”