Sanna is a certified physical therapist with a specialization in Equine Facilitated Physical Therapy (EFPT). With over 30 years of experience running her own business, she has been a pioneer in providing Equine-Assisted Physical Therapy (EAPT) services for the Finnish government and local hospital districts. Her expertise lies in sports medicine and, in particular, biomechanics, where she combines her deep understanding of human and equine movement with technical research capabilities. Sanna holds a shared doctoral position at the University of Eastern Finland, focusing on equine-assisted therapy and its impact on pain management. Her contributions to research and education in the field have been widely recognized, including her editorial work on the book “Ratsastusterapia”, which was selected as the Science Book of the Week by the Finnish Medical Association. This book has been partially translated into English under the title “Equine Facilitated Therapies – in Finland.” Sanna has been instrumental in integrating hippotherapy into the Finnish healthcare system. Since 1990, she has been negotiating with national authorities to make hippotherapy a treatment covered by national insurance, ensuring that it is accessible to individuals with special needs. Her work in pain management through hippotherapy is particularly notable. An active contributor to the global equine-assisted therapy community, Sanna has served HETI in various roles, including Board Member, Journal Editor, Vice President, and, most recently, President. Additionally, she was the President of the Finnish Association for Equine Facilitated Therapy from 2008 to 2023. Sanna has been a key figure in the development of Finnish and international curricula for Equine Facilitated Therapy and Hippotherapy. She has been teaching since 1990 and has shared her expertise across Ireland, Greece, Germany, Russia, and more, while presenting at numerous HETI Congresses. Her presentation at the Swedish Physiotherapy Conference earned her a prestigious stipend, further highlighting her contributions to the field.
