Welcome to Happy Horse Hippotherapy Inc.  My name is Ann Tuzson and I have been a physical therapist for more than 10 years in Charlottesville, VA.  I have experience working at University of Virginia Medical Center and at Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center's Motion Analysis Laboratory.  Through my graduate work, I published articles in academic journals and presented at national conferences.  Recently, I decided that what I really want to do was to make physical therapy fun again. 

I have ridden horses all my life and love any activity which brings me anywhere near a horse.  After 10 years of hearing physical therapy referred to as "physical torture", I am ready to use the joy of horses to brighten up the dismal world of rehabilitation.  The movement of the horse is very useful in rehabilitating individuals with movement disorders.  (See the links to research articles on the "Hippotherapy" page.)  But I really think, the power of hippotherapy is the increased engagement people feel when they are moving on a horse.  The teamwork between horse and rider makes therapy more powerful and effective.

Why choose me?  I am a licensed physical therapist with extensive education and experience rehabilitating individuals with a variety of movement disorders.  I will provide a one-on-one experience using my expertise to facilitate optimal motor learning and motor control.