Who We Are: Occupational Therapy in Motion - Helping You Thrive Every Day

Founded by Eileen D'Amico: A Unique Approach to Pediatric Therapy

Founded in 2011 by Eileen D'Amico, Occupational Therapy in Motion is a pediatric practice that believes in the healing power of movement and nature. Our experienced therapists provide individualized care in a unique, motivating environment that combines traditional clinic-based therapy with innovative approaches like hippotherapy. We're committed to supporting families through the challenges of raising children with special needs, always maintaining a respectful and caring atmosphere.

Owner and Treating Therapist Eileen D'Amico

OUR MISSION

OTIM provides unique therapy services for children with disabilities using evidence-based, fun, and motivating strategies. We prioritize client-centered care, team and family collaboration, and acceptance. Our approach meets clients where they are, building on their existing skills. We support families with home strategies, recognizing that therapy extends beyond sessions.

Family inclusion is crucial for progress. We create 'Just Right' challenges, balancing difficulty for optimal client success. When children succeed, they're more likely to engage in motor challenges independently. Practice leads to growth, and growth leads to mastery.

We offer a well-rounded approach using innovative treatment strategies including hippotherapy, natural environment, play-based, and clinic-based therapy. Our clients work hard but have fun doing it – after all, play is a child's occupation!

In an era of increasing screen time, children often miss out on critical motor and sensory play. We provide a balanced, dynamic approach to treatment, promoting growth, strength, and sensory-motor development. Our passionate team of professionals is dedicated to serving children and their families, adapting to ever-changing challenges.

Our Difference

At our unique therapy center, we offer a comprehensive approach to treatment that sets us apart. Our commitment to versatile, consistent, and engaging therapy in a unique setting allows us to challenge motor skills effectively and achieve the best results for those we serve.

  • Our newly built facility features suspended equipment in all treatment rooms, seamlessly integrated with our equestrian center. This rare combination allows for diverse and tailored therapy sessions.

  • We utilize:

    • Indoor and outdoor riding arenas with varied surfaces

    • A shaded track around the property

    • Handicap-accessible playground

    • Small animal interactions (chickens, sheep, mini horses, and donkeys)

    • Salt water pool

  • We customize therapy based on individual needs and weather conditions, ensuring consistent care year-round.

  • While we specialize in hippotherapy, we recognize that horses are just one of many effective tools. Our well-rounded, evidence-based methods incorporate various techniques for optimal outcomes.

  • We prioritize positive outcomes, fun, and play to ensure success for our clients and their families.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy (OT) is a health profession that helps people across the lifespan to participate in activities they need and want to do daily. At Occupational Therapy in Motion, our pediatric OT services help children with disabilities and those recovering from injuries participate in school, play, socialization, and age-appropriate self-care activities. We utilize a unique approach that combines traditional therapy techniques with the healing power of nature and equine movement.

Our practice is set in a natural environment, which research has shown to have significant benefits for health, well-being, and academic outcomes. By conducting therapy sessions in this setting, we enhance the therapeutic benefits and help children progress more effectively towards their physical, cognitive, and social goals.

At Occupational Therapy in Motion, we employ a variety of techniques and strategies, including hippotherapy and clinic-based sensory integrative activities. Our therapeutic interventions are designed to help children recover from injuries, learn new skills, and regain abilities that promote independence in daily activities.

Our occupational therapists develop individualized plans and goals after conducting thorough evaluations and family interviews. This personalized approach is essential for achieving the best treatment outcomes and ensuring client satisfaction. We also emphasize parent education, equipping families with the tools and knowledge to support their child's progress outside of therapy sessions.

By combining our expertise in occupational therapy with our unique natural setting and innovative approaches like hippotherapy, Occupational Therapy in Motion offers a distinctive and effective therapeutic experience for children with various needs.

Our Partners

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Meet Our Therapists

  • Justine Odierna

    I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Utica College with my Bachelors in Health studies and Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2020. I am a licensed and registered occupational therapist for New York State. I have always had a love for pediatrics and knew that’s where my passion lies! I have experience working with preschool and school aged patients. I have always loved all animals no matter how big or small they are and I recently discovered Pal-O-Mine where Eileen has been educating me on hippotherapy. I was so excited to learn how an animal can be involved in treatment sessions! It has been a wonderful journey seeing the amazing effects that people get from the equine movement and how it can progress their skills!

  • Samantha Rebecca

    I am a New York State Licensed and Registered Occupational Therapist and received my degree from Stonybrook University in 2019. I love being able to use activities that are meaningful to children and adults to help them achieve their goals and live more independent lives. I have experience working in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals specializing in spinal cord injury, and mental health clinics and I currently practice in elementary and middle school special education settings. Horses became a love of mine at a very early age. I started riding when I was 5 years old and continued throughout college. Being able to combine my passion for horses and as well as my passion for helping others through occupational therapy is a dream come true! I started working with Occupational Therapy In Motion in July 2024 and it has been a true privilege. Seeing the relationship and bond between the horses and the individuals who benefit from hippotherapy has been such an amazing experience. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow with Occupational Therapy in Motion and Pal-O-Mine!

  • Kimberly Berganza

    Kimberly Berganza

    Kimberly's passion for horses began at age 8 and has been a significant part of her life ever since. While studying Psychology at Hofstra University, she discovered her calling in Occupational Therapy through volunteering at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian.

    In July 2020, Kimberly graduated Magna Cum Laude from Touro College School of Health Science with a B.S. in Health Science and M.S. in Occupational Therapy. She became a licensed and registered therapist in September 2020 and joined Occupational Therapy in Motion in April 2021.

    Kimberly is a member of the American Hippotherapy Association and serves on their Social Media and Marketing Committee. She is pursuing further specialization in hippotherapy and plans to sit for the Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPCS) exam.

    At Occupational Therapy in Motion, Kimberly combines her two greatest passions: horses and helping children. She finds immense joy in using equine movement as a treatment tool and seeing the excitement it brings to her clients.