For many occupational therapy (OT) students, the shift from classroom learning to real-world application is where everything clicks. At Ride on Center for Kids (ROCK), that transition unfolds in a setting that challenges expectations of what therapy can look like. Through hands-on equine-assisted services, students engage with patients in a dynamic, meaningful way while building the clinical confidence they’ll carry into their careers.
ROCK solid learning
ROCK, a therapeutic horsemanship nonprofit based in Georgetown, Texas, serves children, adults and veterans with a wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. For more than 25 years, the organization has focused on improving independence and life skills through innovative therapy approaches that center on movement, connection and engagement.
For Dr. Draydin Ferguson, a 2026 Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) alum of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) Austin, ROCK offered the perfect opportunity to combine personal drive with professional purpose. Her OTD Capstone experience reflects what many graduate students seek: meaningful work that makes a tangible difference.
“I love helping people, and I love animals. I get to bring something that makes me happy, horses, to other people’s lives and make them just as happy,” Dr. Ferguson says.
Her OTD Capstone project focuses on interventions for children with cerebral palsy and how occupational therapists (OTs) can integrate equine-assisted therapy into practice. She also addresses the lack of guidance available for OTs on how to implement these services.
“With your Capstone, the program encourages you to find something that there might be a lack of in your community,” Dr. Ferguson explains.
Small moments, big progress
Equine-assisted therapy uses the horse’s natural, rhythmic movement to simulate human walking, engaging balance, coordination and core strength in a way that feels intuitive rather than clinical. At ROCK, this approach is integrated into therapy plans that support a wide range of goals, from physical strength to communication skills.
“Instead of going to a clinic and sitting on a big rubber ball, you come to ROCK and they incorporate the movement of the horse into their therapy plans,” says Joan Cutler, Program Manager at ROCK.
Cutler emphasizes how closely OT aligns with the organization’s approach. As she explains, “OT feeds right into the independence and life skills part of our mission.”
Client-centered care in action
Working directly with clients allows students to participate in progress as it unfolds. Dr. Ferguson’s work with a young rider with cerebral palsy, Gentry, highlights how impactful these sessions can be.
Dr. Ferguson describes working with Gentry on Sunny Girl, his horse, focusing on posture, head control, balance and core strength so he can sit upright more independently. These sessions are structured but engaging, and she notes that he eagerly looks forward to it each week.
As participants become more comfortable, they begin to adjust their positioning on their own. Dr. Ferguson emphasizes that every adjustment is intentional and contributes positively to the rider’s body. “Every little movement you guide your horse to make, there’s a reason for it,” she elaborates.
For Dr. Ferguson, the experience is just as rewarding personally as it is professionally. “When I come here, it doesn’t feel like work. It’s fun,” she says, adding that the environment has also strengthened her learning, with a collaborative team that is always willing to problem-solve together.
Moments like these reinforce the value of unique therapy approaches. They also build understanding for students and demonstrate how tangible impact is often born of consistency, creativity and connection.
Confidence for what’s next
Fieldwork and Capstone experiences are designed to do more than develop skills; they help shape future practitioners. During her time at ROCK, Dr. Ferguson gained confidence in her ability to make an impact.
“Being at USAHS has helped me grow, not only as a student, but as a person,” she says.
She’s also seeing her hard work come together and feeling ready for her next step, treating patients. “I’m getting excited because my project is coming to life. ROCK made me feel confident in my ability to go into the real world and do my job as an OT,” Dr. Ferguson explains.
That confidence is something community partners note as well. Cutler values the role students play and the energy they bring into the environment.
Cutler says she’s grateful that Dr. Ferguson has been a part of their community for several months. “OT students bring their education and passion for what they are learning at school into what we’re doing here,” she argues.
Experiences like this illustrate what a graduate OT education offers: a path to careers of purpose. In Dr. Ferguson’s case, she explored innovative approaches and has grown into a confident, competent and compassionate practitioner.
Watch a video featuring Dr. Ferguson’s journey at ROCK or learn more about ROCK’s programs.
