PALS Lab Montana

Proof that data collection doesn’t have to be all serious 📊🐴

This hippotherapy session brought the energy—lots of laughs, a little chaos, and a whole lot of fun. Through it all, everyone showed up for each other, kept it respectful, and made the day a win all around.

Good vibes, great teamwork, and even better sportsmanship 🤝✨

See the flyers on our page for details about current studies!

Last but certainly not least for ✨Meet Us Monday✨ Welcome Jess, our new lab manager! We are so grateful to have her join the team 😄

Thanks to Montana Kaimin for covering our new study!!! So excited to get started 🤩

A study of the effect of hippotherapy, a kind of therapy using the movement of horses, on adults who’ve had strokes is currently recruiting participants and will run for the next two years.

The study is led by Julia Mazzarella, an assistant professor in the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science and the director of the Pediatric Rehabilitation and Active Lifestyles Lab. According to her, the study is a randomized trial with participants either in an equine setting or in a nature-based comparison without horses.

“I’m excited for the study and to dip my toes into working with adults a little more on the research side,” Mazzarella said.

Participants will get four weeks of treatment and a total of 12 hours of therapy over eight 90-minute sessions.

Story by Jocelyn Hood



Read here: https://www.montanakaimin.com/news/how-horse-therapy-could-help-stroke-survivors/article_7cb16d8b-f6a2-47d7-b871-1d3dbb5edd1c.html

It's time for ✨️Meet Us Monday✨️ Say Hi to Lacey, an amazing PALS lab volunteer!

Meet the last of our research assistants, Megan! 👋

We are recruiting for our new study! Consider enrolling yourself or a loved one. Please contact us, send a message, or complete our screening form if you might be interested.

SCREENING FORM: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/YivzTRJCfn

NOW ENROLLING PARTICIPANTS for the physical and speech therapy study for adults post-stroke with aphasia and motor deficits (HHRF)

WHAT IS THE STUDY?

To see how stroke survivors' physical movement and speech and language improve with nature based physical (PT) and speech therapy versus PT and speech therapy that incorporates horses. To understand differences in engagement and enjoyment of PT in the two settings.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Stroke survivors who are 18-75 years old and have motor difficulties and aphasia may be eligible. To find out if you or a loved one is eligible, complete the screening form linked in the Linktree in our bio, or contact us.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

✔Participants are randomly assigned to receive PT and speech therapy either in nature or with horses

✔Each participant will receive 2, 1.5-hour sessions per week for 4 weeks.

✔Treatment will focus on goals co-created with you and the research team

WHAT WILL I BE ASKED TO DO?

✔Attend all sessions.

✔Complete speech, motor, and quality of life measures before and after the 4 weeks of therapy.

✔Rate progress toward goals, enjoyment, and satisfaction with the therapy.

TREATMENT LOCATIONS:

University of Montana

Trotting Horse Therapeutic Riding

WHAT DO I GET FOR PARTICIPATING?

✔4 weeks of free PT!

✔$500 cash

CONTACT US

Dr. Julia Mazzarella

406-243-4684

[email protected]

It's time for Meet Us Monday!! Meet Josie🤩🌟

We like to have fun around here! 🏇⛷️PALS director, Julia Mazzarella, and PALS/UMPT alumni, Kayla Stephens, competed in the 2025 Skijoring the Big Rock in Boulder, MT this past weekend. Check out their run from Saturday!

It's time for 📣 Meet Us Monday!! 📣
Meet Jess! 😁

Our lab has been growing, and we can’t wait to introduce everyone! Over the next few weeks, follow along with Meet Us Monday as we spotlight our newest members. Up first—Meredith! 👋

New year, new participants! 🎉 2026 is already off to an exciting start in the lab. We're still recruiting for our current study, take a look at the flyer on our page for details - and keep an eye out for another study on the way!