By Colleen Cheechalk | Executive Director
Happy spring!
I cannot believe that I am sitting here writing this report, which marks the beginnings of our seventh full season at Epona Farm Sanctuary delivering life changing equine assisted programs. Seven seasons. It doesn't even seem possible!
As I consider this milestone, I am led down memory lane to some other situations that seemed impossible.
Like our little miss T*, who was never supposed to walk...but did, and does...with minimal assistance.
Like our little mister M, who was diagnosed as non-verbal...but found his voice.
Like miss S who lived in an isolated world, fearful of communication and confrontation...who led a parade.
My memories are filled with former impossibilities turned into exceptional successes. There are days when I cannot believe the miracles we experience were made possible by a horse.
We are bringing new programs to our community this year, expanding upon our former and current programs, and turning them into better, more effective programs for the children and adults we serve. Due to the economic challenges we face, we were forced to "go back to the drawing board", put on our thinking caps, and find ways to serve the individuals who depend on us, to keep the horses in the exceptional condition required, and make our magic happen. It wasn't easy! By narrowing our focus we now fund three specific programs, The Warrior and War Horse program, HOPE with Horses, and the T.E.A.M (Teen Equine Assisted Mentoring). Scholarships for individual adaptive riding services will be awarded on a case by case basis, and thanks to your generous support, and the commitment of monthly donors, we feel confident that we can start the season with 6 scholarships for horsemanship programming for the children. Is it 30? No, but it sure is a great start! I have all the faith in the world that we will not only reach our goal...but surpass it!
I had hoped to include a wonderful photo of green grass growing, and signs of spring, but it is still fickle here in upstate NY so I have included photos of our ponies, Rye and Firefly, having a great time enjoying the remaining days of their winter vacation frolicking in the SNOW!
We will update you again soon, the season begins officially on June 1st, so look for photos and news soon!
Thank you so much for being a part of our program, and for helping make miracles possible!
Colleen Cheechalk
Founder and Program Director
Please visit our website at www.borrowedfreedom.org and join our facebook page at www.facebook.com/borrowedfreedom!
*actual names are omitted due to privacy regulations.
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