Hippotherapy Not Covered By State of California Children’s Services, CCS.

Child, now approximately 12 years old, was born with severe orthopedic problems and requires physical therapy. She received hippotherapy, involving placement of the child upon a horse wherein a therapist uses the movement of the horse to provide sensory input. She thereafter applied to California Children’s Services [CCS] to pay for hippotherapy she was receiving from a private company. The superior court denied her mother’s petition for a writ of administrative mandate. The appellate court affirmed, stating: “Hippotherapy is not a medically necessary treatment as the benefit provided by hippotherapy can be obtained from other treatments received in a gym. We also conclude the services provided by the private companies selected by Mother do not meet the criteria for vendor services and that required services can be provided by CCS.” Natalie D. v. State Department of Health Care Services (Cal. App. Fourth Dist., Div. 3; July 18, 2013) 217 Cal.App.4th 1449.