Επιστημονική Εταιρεία Θεραπευτικής Ιππασίας και Ιπποθεραπείας Ελλάδος
The Hi.K.E.R International Institute is the largest scientific organization in Greece and one of the largest in Europe. It is a rehabilitation team which operates in the field of therapeutic riding and hippotherapy. It is based in the Varibobi
Equestrian Club and the Equestrian Club of the Northern Suburbs.
It is one of the few scientific Hippotherapy teams in Europe consisting only by professionals pertaining to the health sector (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists,
psychologists, etc.) and its philosophy embraces the horse as an invaluable rehabilitation mean. The therapeutic team of the Hi.K.E.R International Institute is currently consisted with 35 health professionals, who are all members of the Hellenic
Association of Hippotherapists and Therapeutic Riding Instructors (Hel.As.Hi.T.R.I.). The therapeutic sessions of the Hi.K.E.R International Institute are conducted under the supervision and guidance of the group president John
Nikolaou, the program coordinator Nikos Polyzos and the vice president Nikos Nikolaidis. The three of them practice TR & Hippotherapy on a purely scientific basis in recent years in Greece. The therapeutic sessions of the Hi.K.E.R International
Institute take place daily and during weekends at the Varibobi Equestrian Club and at the Equestrian Club of the Northern Suburbs.
The Hi.K.E.R International Institute applies the Hi.KER approach for its therapeutic sessions and the
individuals participating are children and adults with neurological and developmental disorders, a few of which are: Autism (ASD), Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome , Psychomotor Retardation, Myopathy, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.
The sessions
are conducted within a specially designed area (arena) with the aid of specially trained horses for therapeutic riding.
Our philosophy:
The constant research for a more effective therapeutic intervention through the application of therapeutic riding, inevitably leads us to comprehend the necessity for the following:
a. The need of a greater effort to understand, first of all the horse as a therapeutic agent and
b. The acquisition of thorough knowledge and practical understanding of all existing means and methods used to achieve treatment and rehabilitation.
We hope that in time more professionals will share our concerns and objectives, because our common goal is one: the advancement and the steady progress of the patient. This can be achieved only through continuous study and research, through the accumulation of daily experience, through a passion for our work and, last but not least, through love for our work and for our patients.
A few words about the founders:
Yannis Nikolaou, PT, MA, President of Hi.K.E.R. International Institute
John Nicholaou graduated from the Physiotherapy Department of ATEI of Athens and holds a Master's Degree
in Special Education Needs from the UEL (University of East London). It has been also specialized in interventions Padovan (Neuro- functional reorganization), PECS system and DIR-Floortime model.
Yannis Nikolaou is also:
• Certified
riding trainer (FEI)
• Initiator of Hi.K.E.R. Approach and Trainer of new therapists (Senior Hi.K.E.R. Instructor ).
• Certified National Classifier
• Founding member and director of the Greek Scientific Association
of Theraprutic Riding and Hippotherapy (G.S.A.T.R.H.)
• Founding member of the Hellenic Association of Hippotherapists and Therapeutic Riding Instructors (Hel.As.Hi.T.R.I.).
• Founding member of Greek Community Behavior
Analysis (G.C.B.A.)
• Co-owner of the Center for Special Therapies: '' The Knowledge Tree ”
• Has participated in many research studies and has presented at conferences, workshops, seminars on the subject of therapeutic
riding and pediatric rehabilitation
Nikos Polyzos, PT, MA, Program director of Hi.K.E.R International Institute
Nikos Polyzos graduated from the Physiotherapy department of ATEI of Athens. He holds a Master's Degree in Special Education Needs from the UEL (University of East London) and has completed the Basic postgraduate education in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT- Bobath). It has been also specialized in interventions Hippotherapy, Sensory Integration, Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), TEACCH program and DIR-Floortime model.
Nikos Polyzos is also:
Nikos Nikolaidis, OT, Vice Presidentof Hi.K.E.R. International Institute
Nikos Nicolaidis graduated from the Occupational Therapy Department of ATEI of Athens and has completed the basic postgraduate training in Sensory Integration (Sensory Integration therapist) and Functional ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis)
Nikos Nicolaidis is also: