Location: Abilene, Texas, United States
Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation is a comprehensive rehabilitation facility in Abilene, Texas, offering outpatient and inpatient therapy services, including a specialized equine-assisted program known as HERO (Hendrick Equine Rehabilitation Opportunities). The program incorporates hippotherapy principles, using horse movement as part of a structured therapeutic approach to improve balance, strength, coordination, and functional mobility.
This is a well-established medical rehabilitation center that serves patients of all ages recovering from injury, illness, or neurological conditions. As part of Hendrick Health’s broader rehabilitation services, the HERO equine program is integrated into clinical therapy plans and delivered by trained rehabilitation professionals in collaboration with equine specialists.
About This Program
Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation’s HERO program serves participants through medically guided equine-assisted therapy designed to support physical, cognitive, and emotional recovery. The program uses the natural movement of horses to help patients improve gait, posture, balance, and motor planning in a controlled therapeutic environment.
The overall approach is clinical and outcome-driven. Therapy sessions are prescribed as part of a broader rehabilitation plan, with licensed physical and occupational therapists working alongside trained equine handlers to deliver structured, goal-oriented treatment.
Services Offered
• Hippotherapy (equine-assisted physical therapy)
• Physical therapy integrated with horse movement
• Occupational therapy support
• Neurological rehabilitation support
• Balance, gait, and coordination training
• Cognitive and motor planning exercises
• Volunteer-supported therapy assistance
Who They Serve
• Children
• Teens
• Adults
• Stroke survivors
• Individuals with brain injuries
• Individuals with spinal cord injuries
• Patients with neurological conditions (e.g., MS, cerebral palsy)
• Individuals with orthopedic or mobility impairments
Facility and Setting
Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation is located in Abilene, Texas, and operates as a modern medical rehabilitation facility with both inpatient and outpatient services. The HERO equine program is conducted in partnership with trained therapy teams and approved equine therapy environments designed for clinical safety and controlled therapeutic work.
The setting is structured, professional, and medically supervised, ensuring that all equine-assisted sessions align with patient rehabilitation goals. Therapy is often conducted in collaboration with broader rehabilitation services including physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
What Makes Them Unique
Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation stands out for integrating equine-assisted therapy directly into a hospital-based rehabilitation system. The HERO program is not recreational—it is a medically prescribed therapy using horse movement as part of a structured rehabilitation plan.
Another key strength is its multidisciplinary clinical model, where licensed therapists, physicians, and rehabilitation specialists collaborate to deliver individualized treatment plans that incorporate both traditional therapy and equine-assisted interventions.