Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Nugent.
Bethany, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I graduated from college as a physical therapist, I worked at a transitional living facility that served children and adults with traumatic brain injury in Florida. I was able to work with clients in the therapy clinic, their “houses”, on horses at the on-site barn or at the pool. I found that hippotherapy (using the movement of the horses) and aquatic therapy – both strategies that are utilized by PTs, OTs and SLPs – were the most effective as they provided a more comprehensive treatment in a more motivating environment.
When I moved to Georgia I found a company that specialized in incorporating hippotherapy. While working for that company I founded BEATS as a way to raise funds for clients who could not afford therapy and also to educate others about the benefits of hippotherapy and aquatic therapy. Eventually I acquired a barn, horses, equipment to allow BEATS to become its own entity and start treating clients. At our barn, we offer PT and OT specializing in hippotherapy as well as therapeutic riding (a recreational use of horses for people with special needs). We also host the Cherokee County Special Olympics Equestrian team. We did not have a pool for several years so we have recently resumed our aquatic therapy services through our PT and are also starting home health services.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not!!! As therapists, our services are reimbursed the same as therapists who treat in the home with little overhead or at a clinic with somewhat stable overhead. We have the same overhead of a physical location but also have the CRAZY overhead of our horses. Since it is the unique movement of the horse that is critical to the success of hippotherapy and because there are limits on how often they can be worked, we have to have a variety of horses. This means feed, hay, vet bills, farrier (shows) bills – as they age many needs medications or supplements and then, once they retire, we still need to provide for them as well as bring in new horses to serve our clients! Additionally, our services are very reliant on volunteers to help lead then horses and walk alongside to help the clients. We truly have amazing volunteers but life takes people in different directions and growth creates more need so finding, training, scheduling and retaining volunteers is a constant challenge! As a non-profit we add in the need to raise funds to support our mission and care for our horses! It is a constant struggle but so worth it.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
BEATS provide physical therapy and occupational therapy that specializes in incorporating hippotherapy and aquatic therapy. We are most known for our hippotherapy program as we have been serving north metro Atlanta since 2003. Our founder, Bethany Nugent, is board certified as a Clinical Specialist in Hippotherapy, one of only 3 therapists in Georgia. She was a faculty member with the American Hippotherapy Association and continues to mentor physical therapy students through a variety of college programs throughout the country. Our instructors are all PATH certified or in-training to become certified. The collaboration between our instructors and therapists to benefit each program is what sets us apart. Our horses and volunteers are what I am most proud of. We have awesome volunteers, many of whom have been with us for over 10 years. We also train our horses well and treat them like kings so they are happy in their roles and stay in service for years. Our original therapy horse that we started with in 2001, Phantom, is still working and has won many awards.
What were you like growing up?
I was into many sports including swimming and horseback riding which is what cultivated my interest in these two specialties when I was in PT school. I was always interested in helping people with special needs. I loved reading autobiographies by Helen Keller, Louis Braille and others. I was a candy striper all through high school and participated in every “a-thon” that came my way!!
Contact Info:
- Address: Mariposa Farms, 75 Red Gate Trail, Canton, GA 30115
- Website: www.beats-inc.org
- Phone: 404-644-3917
- Email: bethany@beats-inc.org
- Instagram: Beats Inc.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beatsinc/
- Twitter: @BeatsInc_
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