Ribbon Cutting for CChs Equine therapy program on April 8

DAYTON - The Columbia County Health System will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch its new Equine Therapy Program on April 8 at noon. 

The innovative program expands the services offered by the Therapy and Rehabilitation Department. The program incorporates therapeutic interactions with specially trained animals to help patients work on balance, coordination, strength, confidence, and sensory processing as part of their rehabilitation.

The program was developed by CCHS Occupational Therapists Mollee Gray and Cassidy Crider, who grew up around horses and see the therapeutic connections they can create. Shared experiences, including an internship at an equine-assisted therapy facility, helped shape their vision for bringing this type of programming to Columbia County Health System. Attendees at the ribbon-cutting will have a chance to meet the program's two miniature therapy animals. Chum Chum is a miniature horse owned by Crider, and miniature donkey Tulip belongs to Gray.

The CCHS invites the community to join Michael Schwarz, Director of Rehabilitation Services, the Rehab Team, and therapy animals Tulip and Chum Chum for the Equine Therapy Program ribbon cutting at the CCHS Dayton Campus.