HSU Speech Camp Serves Community, Shapes Future Professionals with Equine Therapy

Hardin-Simmons University opens its doors to dozens of young learners through its annual Speech Language Pathology camp, a long-running program that blends hands-on clinical training for students with meaningful speech therapy support for children across the Big Country.

Hosted by the university’s Communication Sciences and Disorders department, the two-week camp is serving about 75 children from Abilene ISD, Wylie ISD, and surrounding districts. Each day, campers work directly with undergraduate and graduate student clinicians to build speech and language skills in a structured, encouraging environment.

“Speech camp is for kids who are in Abilene ISD, Wiley ISD, and the surrounding Big Country to come out and work on their speech skills,” said Lorenzo Martinez, assistant professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, who oversees the camp. “The kids are working on their speech goals that they had during the school year with our students.”

A standout feature of the camp is its integration of hippotherapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy. Campers visit the university’s horse facilities midweek, where therapy sessions incorporate interaction with horses to promote communication, confidence, and emotional connection.

“Horses are very empathetic animals,” Martinez said. “They build a very good connection with their riders. It also gives a lot of language opportunities for our students and campers to utilize their language skills.”

For student counselors like Caroline Welker, the experience brings together academic goals with personal passion. Welker, a Communication Sciences and Disorders major and Six White Horse rider, sees the equine component as a powerful tool for connection and growth.

“I thought there was no way I could work with horses and kids, both of my passions at once,” Welker said. “It’s just amazing to see the bond between the horse and rider.”

During the hippotherapy sessions, campers are guided through targeted speech exercises while interacting with the horses, often focusing on specific sounds or language skills. The calm supportive setting can help reduce anxiety and encourage participation in ways that traditional therapy may not always achieve.

“The horse makes them relax and comfortable,” Welker said. “It’s very rewarding to see them at the end of the session compared to the beginning.”

This camp reflects a broader commitment by Hardin-Simmons to serve the region while preparing future professionals. By connecting academic programs with community needs, the university creates opportunities for students to gain practical experience while making a tangible difference in the lives of local families.