Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
Pediatric Physical & Occupational Therapy Utilizing Equine Movement
Movement, Strength, and Confidence—In a Setting Kids Love
Healing Reins is proud to partner with Laurie, Haley, and Ali to offer pediatric physical and occupational therapy utilizing equine movement in a safe, inclusive, and engaging farm environment.
Equine movement is a powerful, evidence-based treatment tool that supports the body in ways traditional settings cannot. The horse’s rhythmic, three-dimensional motion closely mirrors human walking, helping children develop:
- Core strength and postural control
- Balance and coordination
- Improved motor planning and body awareness
- Sensory processing and regulation
At the same time, the outdoor setting invites children to move, explore, and engage through curiosity and play. For children who may not thrive in a traditional clinic environment, being outside connected to nature and animals creates a more comfortable, motivating, and enjoyable therapy experience.
Our Therapy Partners
Physical and Occupational therapy utilizing equine movement (Hippotherapy) services are provided directly through our partner therapists:
- Laurie – http://www.stepsandstridespt.com/
- Haley – https://www.happyhoppersot.com/
- Ali – https://willowkidspt.com/meet-your-therapist
Families must contact providers directly to inquire about services, availability, and scheduling.
Important Availability Update
- Haley is currently at full capacity and is not accepting new clients at this time.
- Laurie and Ali may have availability—please contact them directly to learn more and get started.
Meet Our Physical and Occupational Therapists
Laurie Schick, PT, HPCS
Physical Therapist
Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist
Steps and Stride Physical Therapy
Laurie has been a practicing physical therapist for over 30 years, receiving both her undergraduate degree and Masters in Physical Therapy at the University of Puget Sound. She has worked in a variety of settings but has devoted the last two decades to her love of pediatrics. At this time she also began exploring the amazing benefits of the movement of the horse (hippotherapy) as a treatment tool to further enhance her therapy sessions and outcomes. She is currently the only Board Certified Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPCS) in Oregon. Laurie is passionate about fostering deep connections with her young clients and families through a holistic, sensory-rich, and play-based approach to her treatment sessions. By integrating a diverse array of treatment tools and strategies, Laurie strives to empower each child to reach their individual goals and grow to their fullest potential. When not at work she can be found exploring the outdoors through activities such as hiking, backpacking, skiing and spending time with her husband and two teenagers
Haley Webb, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
HW Happy Hoppers OT
Haley has been a pediatric occupational therapist since 2019. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Menlo college in Atherton, CA, a bachelor’s degree in occupational science from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and a Master of Science in occupational therapy from EKU in Richmond, KY. While in graduate school she specialized in Autism Spectrum Disorder where she earned an interdisciplinary certificate in ASD working with children and young adults in rural Kentucky. Prior to becoming an OT, she worked as a behavioral therapist where she was able to serve families and children from 0-18 with ASD in the Bay area of California.
As a practitioner she has specialized in areas of sensory integration and sensory and anxiety-based feeding difficulties. She also has a special interest in the therapeutic use of animals and hippotherapy specifically. During her time in Kentucky, she volunteered at a therapeutic riding center where she gained a greater understanding of the horse and human connection. Her passion lies within the research and understanding of children with developmental disabilities and helping families find the “just right fit.”
In her spare time, she enjoys paddle boarding, riding her two horses, playing volleyball, camping, snowboarding, and has been known to bust out some moves on the dance floor!
Ali Craig, PT, DPT
DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist
Willow Kids Physical Therapy
Ali is a pediatric physical therapist who is passionate about forming lasting connections with families and allowing them to experience incredible accomplishments with their children. Ali graduated from Ithaca College in upstate New York. She has been incorporating equine movement into her practice since 2017, and has partnered with Healing Reins since she moved to Bend in 2019. She is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections with her patients and their families and believes that building strong rapport is foundational to providing effective care and achieving positive outcomes. Ultimately, her philosophy is rooted in the belief that by cultivating authentic relationships, fostering collaboration, and embracing the unique strengths of each child and family, she can make a meaningful difference in their lives, helping them to achieve their fullest potential and thrive.
Favorite clinic moments: watching children take their first steps
Favorite spot in Bend: Shevlin Park (where I got married!)
Dog, cat, or horse person? All of the above! But I have two rescue pups
Kim Benrath
Occupational Therapist
MS, OTR/L
Kim Benrath brings warmth, creativity, and curiosity to her work as an Occupational Therapist. She believes that joy emerges when play and learning meet, and she uses connection and attunement to help children build confidence, flexible thinking, and resilience. Her relationship-based, play-centered approach fosters meaningful growth in physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
Kim holds a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Portland. Her clinical training at Blossom introduced her to the power of meeting children and families where they are, making therapy both engaging and impactful. Kim enjoys partnering with caregivers to better understand the unique behaviors and responses of each child across home, school, and community settings.
Her background includes outdoor education, Life Skills coaching, and mindfulness-based practices. She is a certified yoga teacher with specialized training in Mindful Self-Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. She incorporates these techniques into sessions to support self-awareness and emotional regulation.
Kim is certified in Integrated Listening Systems (iLS) and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), and has additional training in FAN (Facilitating Attuned Interactions), DIR/Floortime, trauma-informed care, Primitive Reflex Integration, and inclusive practices across the gender spectrum. She has also benefited from mentorship by many of Central Oregon’s esteemed OTs.
A Bend native, Kim enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, planting seeds, reading sci-fi, and spending time with her pets Loki and Simba—all while appreciating the power of a good dad joke and a great pair of socks.
Samantha Abel
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sam is a San Diego native who relocated to Oregon to pursue her college education and a love for the outdoors. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology from Western Oregon University in 2020, and went on to complete her Occupational Therapy Assistant degree at St. Catherine University in Minnesota in 2022.
At Healing Reins, Sam combines her passion for pediatric occupational therapy with the unique opportunities the farm environment provides. She believes in the power of connection—both human and animal—to support children in building regulation, confidence, and engagement through meaningful, child-led experiences.
Sam is a certified Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) practitioner and has continued education in DIR® Floortime, emphasizing attunement, play, and the development of emotional and cognitive growth.
When she’s not at the farm, Sam enjoys traveling, reading, bike riding, and snowboarding.
Are you a physical or occupational therapist interested in using equines as part of your treatment planning? We would love to partner with you at our location in Tumalo, Oregon! Please contact Polly Cohen, Executive Director at (541) 382-9410
Meet our Healing
Herd of Horses
The equine members of our team are hugely important to us and are chosen very carefully. The ideal therapy horse is sound and unflappable, with a been-there-done-that attitude. Our herd members have had careers in dressage, high school equestrian teams, trail riding, ranch work, and more. Miles and experience add up to the quiet, assured horses our participants need.