Michigan Abilities Center
A Non-profit NARHA Member Center
About Us
Contents
Mission StatementProgram Description
Facility Tour
Meet MAC's Staff
Meet MAC's Horses
Mission Statement
Improve the physical and emotional well being of clients and their families
by providing innovative, effective, enjoyable, and rewarding therapy and recreational
programs (including equine-assisted therapy, comprehensive therapy services, experiential
learning, recreational riding, and other activities). Provide customized programs to achieve
goals, improve function and quality of life, promote wellness, foster successful interpersonal
relationships and life skills, enhance self-esteem, and empower children, adolescents, and adults
who have physical, mental, emotional, or learning challenges. Promote healthy and wholesome lifestyles,
enjoyable and efficacious therapeutic activities, and an appreciation
of nature and history. Focus on abilities and strengths to facilitate functional gains and meaningful outcomes,
objectively document the efficacy of interventions, & promote excellence in therapeutic practice & research.
Program Description
* Serving clients of all ages with special needs (including physical, mental, emotional, and learning)
* Instructor is a NARHA registered therapeutic riding instructor with considerable equine experience
* Traditional riding lessons and other programs are also available on site for clients and their families
* Teaching and training all disciplines, therapeutic riding, driving, and jumping (beginner to advanced)
* Transition from therapeutic riding to regular riding as skills, confidence, and independence progress
* Hippotherapy is provided by an experienced physical therapist to facilitate meaningful functional gains
* Dedicated to promoting fun, healthy, therapeutic, wholesome activities & an appreciation of our heritage
* Day camps, clinics, shows, and additional fun activities are available (e.g. birthday and holiday parties)
* Learning and training experiences are also available to promote independence and “soft skills” development
Facility Tour
* Facility is comfortable & cheerful for clients & families, operates all year, & is wheelchair accessible
* Large indoor and outdoor arenas and scenic riding trails on a 60-acre farm that is convenient to town
* Leasing and boarding of horses & ponies that are trained for therapeutic riding is also available on site
* Located in a beautiful, secluded, & peaceful historic farm setting with farm animals & abundant wildlife
Meet MAC's Staff
Executive Director & Physical Therapist
Kathleen A. Hinderer, PhD, MPT, PT (Kathy)
Dr. Kathy Hinderer has over 25 years of experience as a physical therapist and has considerable clinical experience treating a broad spectrum of disabilities across the lifespan. She obtained her BS degree in physical therapy from the University of Michigan, her Masters of physical therapy (MPT) and MS degrees from the University of Washington, and her PhD in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan in the Center for Human Motor Research. She completed a fellowship in developmental disabilities and is certified in neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) and sensory integration (SI). She has conducted several research studies and has co-authored professional publications, including four chapters in leading rehabilitation textbooks. She has served in a leadership capacity for several local and national organizations and is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM), North American Riding for the Handicap Association (NARHA), and American Hippotherapy Association (AHA).
Equine Program Director & Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Jennifer England
Jennifer has over 30 years of equine experience, including riding, showing, and teaching therapeutic and traditional lessons to children and adults.She teaches and trains both English and Western disciplines. She is certified by the North American Riding for the Handicap Association (NARHA). In addition to her equine expertise, Jennifer has a Master of Science degree in Education with a major in counseling. Her career has included working in business and higher education. Jennifer has taught career classes and worked with children, teens, young adults as well as adults throughout her career.
Horse Handler
Kristen Leinbach
Kristen has been an equestrian professional for the past several years, including being a horse handler for therapeutic riding programs. Recently, she has begun to work with the Parelli Natural Horsemanship program. This program develops skills in understanding horse behavior and communication to provide safe and fun lessons for the riders as well as the horses.
Instructor Intern
Bethany Pohl
Bethany is interning at MAC to become a NARHA therapeutic riding instructor and assists with horse handling. She also has over 10 years of experience as a tutor, including students with special needs. In addition to her love for horses, Bethany contributes her artistic and creative talents at MAC.
Meet MAC's Horses
MAC currently has 10 horses and 2 ponies, which provide a wide variety of sizes, movement, and personalities. This variety enables MAC to match clients body proportions and select horses that provide optimal movement facilitation and interaction styles. MAC's smallest pony is our adorable miniature pony Misty. MAC's largest horse is a draft horse named Jessie.