Physical Health United States Project #22190

All Equine Services Free to Clients at BITS ETC

by Back In The Saddle Equine Therapy Center

All Equine Services Free to Clients at BITS ETC

Project Report | Jun 4, 2018
Giving begets Giving this Summer at BITS ETC

By Pauline Meridien | Executive Director, BITS ETC

Mystique looking for the best 'green'

Hello to all BITS ETC Supporters:

Last month we hosted an Open House for Veterans to let everyone know about our complimentary Ride UP program to put veterans, and their family members on horses. It was a great day with over 40 participants learning the joy of working with horses, riding, and interacting with ponies, and our donkey, Mr. Jingles.

On April 25, we received a call from Brian. His friend Dan had fallen in Iraq two years ago, and Brian wished to honor his memory, and in so doing, raise funds for veteran's services. He had attended our Open House, and suggested to Countryside Golf Club that they host a benefit golf tournament in Dan's honor. Memorial Day weekend saw 35 golfers come out to play for BITS ETC so our services to veterans can remain free of charge.

Mystique, our spokes-horse attended the gala event,and provided some entertainment when she escaped, and had to be wrangled back by golf cart riding 'cowboys." No one had seen a horse on the course before...but even with all the excitement, we were able to raise nearly $4,000.00 to fill the scholarship coffers once again.

Our 'free" open house led to donations to support the programs, and provided a memorable Memorial Day filled with fun and purpose. We were happy to learn we have just started the first of many "Annual Red White and Blue Golf Benefit Days" as Countryside asked us back for next year.

What goes around, comes around, so I am asking my Global Giving partners who enjoy golfing but were unable to enjoy the day at Countryside, to help us fill the coffers for veterans who give so much to each of us with their service. In memory of someone you know and remembered this Memorial Day, won't you please support BITS ETC with a donation today?

Thank you,

Pauline

Patriotic Golfers raise funds for vets.

Veteran in Ride UP scholarship program

Miniature horse ready to putt!

Links:

BITS ETC website

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Feb 20, 2018
The Veteran's Collaborative of 2018

By Pauline Meridien | Executive Director, BITS ETC

Cental/Southern NH reach for Equine Programming

BITS ETC has always held the committment to offer free services to several key segments of our riders: Those living with Autism, and Veterans and Uniformed Professionals. Now, after months of meetings, with the agreement of key stakeholders, we are happy to annouce the formation of a N.H. Veteran's Collaborative for Equine Services.

There is strength in numbers I am told, and I never cease to be amazed by what more can be done with a little help from others with a similiar mindset.

Two other New Hampshire P.A.T.H. International centers (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) have joined with us in an effort to serve veterans who could benefit from a connection to horses. Touchstone Farm, Temple, and UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Goffstown, have joined with BITS ETC, in Hopkinton to offer therapeutic riding, carriage driving, and equine assisted activities free of charge to Veterans.

With three Centers, covering south/central NH, more Veterans will find a center near where they live to interact with horses. The V.A. Hospital in Manchester, NH is facilitating these opportunities with the help of their Recreational Therapy program, and by referring Veterans who struggle with physical, mental, or emotional healing.

We are happy to announce our first joint event to begin this collaboration, which is an "Open Barn" on April 21, 2018 to be held simultaneously at all facilities. Come visit one near you, or visit all three over the course of the day. Veterans and their families are welcome to come for tours, and light refreshments, as they see what each center has to offer.

Donations to this Global Giving Campaign are more important than ever as we expand programs that help more of our riders. You can be a big part of this initiative and bring us closer to our goal of offering all therapeutic interventions free of charge to our clients. Your donation today is an investment in someone's tomorrow.

Thank you for your support!

Pauline Meridien

V.A. Hospital, Manchester/ Recreation Fair

Bill Boyce, Veteran Rider

Mike Boldini, Veteran Rider

Links:

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Oct 24, 2017
Carmel Stops!

By Pauine Meridien | Executive Director

Carmel

We received a new submission to our "Contact Form" on our website:

"Hello, My daughter Carmel H is 7 years old experiences autism, some low muscle tone. She used to do hippotherapy when she was 3 and 4 years old, and enjoyed it very much. I am wondering if you have any availability in June for her to try it again? We live in Concord, NH and are very close by. Carmel has some funding from her area agency and we wanted to have her use horses to improve her core strength and possibly her fine motor strength. Thank you. NV

We are committed to serving children on the spectrum, free of charge. Most riders do not have alternative funding as Carmel had. Her mom was able to gather the needed MD clearance, and other paperwork, and she bagan riding in June. In August, I received the following email from her mom:

"We also wanted you to know how much we appreciate everything Melissa, Kathy and the volunteers do. An amazing job! Carmel has learned what Stop means! I know this may seem like a small issue, but it's important for us especially when she is trying to run away and we yell at her to stop. She used the hand sign for 'halt' and said "sto" which she learned while riding Gideon, (her pony), and understands it means to stop."

Sometimes the horses are wiser than we are, and teach lessons far more important than the ones we set for them: improving core strength, and fine motor skills. Carmel will be safer this fall because her horse was able to demonstrate the meaning of "stop". I hope you all will take a moment to stop, and consider another donation to support our riders with autism. Carmel is fortunate to have funds to cover this summer's lessons, but many of our riders depend on the generosity of Global Giving Members to help them traverse the bumpy trails they negotiate on the Spectrum.

Thanks to you we will be able to keep our committment of allowing all riders on the Sopectrum to spend quality time with our therapy herd, free of charge to the client!

Kathy adjusting the stirrup

Reach and stretch out to start your lesson

Her leader and sidewalker keep things safe

It takes a village of supports

to teach Carmel to STOP!

Links:

website

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