Provide Equine Therapies For 100 Children In Need

Seasons Greetings!

I wanted to send you this project report a bit early for a couple of reasons, one...because it is the holiday season and two, we have accomplished so much in the past year that we wanted to share it with you!

We began our journey with GlobalGiving.org a year ago, we never ever dreamed it would be as wonderful as it has been. We have met some incredibly passionate individuals who give generously, from donations, to services and of themselves. Your support made is possible for us to purchase our Equicizer, Dumplin', which was received in March. Since then we have been able to start accepting Early Intervention clients as young as 2 years old for Pediatric Hippotherapy services. We have heard first words spoken, watched first steps taken. It has been simply overwhelming.

Dumplin' has also allowed us to teach our Adaptive/Therapeutic Riding clients more effectively. For example, learning the Posting Trot is easier for students because we can teach each step one at time, step by step. We can teach safe mounting and dismounting, tacking up, correct position for leading and handling and so much more. We even have some clients who are learning the basics of vaulting!

For riders who cannot safely ride a live horse, (such as those with issues mounting and dismounting, or who may need equipment that cannot safely be used with a live moving animal) Dumplin' has become the chance to ride they may never have had. All the health benefits of riding can be enjoyed...and for some, it may be the bridge that takes them from unable...to able!

Having Dumplin' also benefits the horses! Our horses have less stress, are more respected and can do their jobs more effectively because the clients come to them ready to work safely and with compassion and empathy. While the Equicizer was a costly purchase at nearly $3700, the cost of caring for a horse properly is a minimum of $2500 per year. Dumplin' requires no special veterinary care, training, farrier care or a manure fork! Over the course of 10 years an additional horse would cost our program $25000 or more. Dumplin'? Just the cost a vacuum cleaner, some furniture polish and nice fleece blanket every few years. Our goal is to acquire a second Equicizer within the next 3 years. Having two will allow our therapists to work with their assistants and our staff to provide more sessions at less cost, and ring new opportunities for fun social activities for the clients ...a win-win!

Because of your support Dumplin' lives in our new climate controlled therapy room which also functions as our meeting room and office. Our therapy cats, Lucy and Liza, live with Dumplin' and keep us all entertained and help clients ride longer and reach goals while having fun! We can offer Bibliotherapy and literacy development classes. We are able to hold trainings and clinics, to have parties for our riders, celebrate triumphs, and so much more.

Expanded Programming For Adults

This year we expanded our programming from a seasonal 20 week program to a full year, 40 week program. In addition to Hippotherapy and Adaptive/Therapeutic Riding we now open the farm to nearly 30 adult residents of Broome Developmental Center each week. They enjoy a comprehensive Equine Facilitated Learning program while spending some time outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. We have learned teamwork, how to trust each other and ourselves, how to care for horses and show them respect, and how to earn and give respect in our daily lives. During 2013 we hope to expand further, bring nearly 50 individuals to the farm each week, including groups will volunteer. If our fundraising goals are met, we will also be able to purchase a serviceable used van and begin Equne Facilitated Learning visits to the center and area schools and community organizations. 

Facility Additions 

In addition to the therapy room, we completed the classroom, arena footing upgrades, full area fencing, a seasonal restroom and a full tackroom in the outdoor portion of the farm. An additional stall was added to the main barn for Donkey and improvements to the center barn are ongoing. A restroom for the therapy room is on the job list for spring. These improvements have been made with very little cost to the program because of recycled building materials and donated services and supplies. 

What's Up For 2013?

There are some great things coming up in 2013 and we hope that you will share the journey with us.

• We have two new fundraising events under development

• We will offer two American Hippotherapy Association clinics

• Jessica Reinartz PT, DPT, Allyson Cheechalk and I will all complete our American Hippotherapy Association I Certification

• We will welcome Jewel, a lovely Quarter Horse adopted from Sunkissed Acres Equine Rescue

• We will unveil a unique addition to our programming that will enhance the field the Equine Assisted Therapies and Activities...I can't tell you yet...but you will be the first to hear the news!

And Finally...

Thank you. Thank you so much. You see, I couldn't write all this if you hadn't contributed to our GlobalGiving fundraising appeal. You may not even know about us. You might not have had the chance to see all this change, all this good. You made a choice to become involved with our program, and we are so grateful that you did. We can't wait to share more joy, more success, more growth and change with you in the months to come.

On behalf of the more than 40 students and clients, our incredible 100% volunteer staff, the horses, the farm animals, the dogs, the cats, my family and the community...our heartfelt wishes for a holiday season filled with everything bright and beautiful and a New Year full of peace and prosperity.

Colleen Cheechalk
Founder and Executive Director

Links:

• WBNG Report - Horses That Heal
• Horses As Therapists - The Ithaca Times
• The Borrowed Freedom Website

It's hard to believe that it has been almost a year since we first launched our project on GlobalGiving.org, it's been a long road and much hard work has gone into it, but WOW it has been a wonderful experience!

Since our last update we have continued to finish the therapy room and insulation, walls and a heater will be installed this month, just in time for cold weather. We have also continued to improve the classroom and arena areas so that we can work outdoors as much as possible. 

Sadly, we said goodbye to our beloved Simon on October 18. Simon arrived on New Year's Eve 2011...just hours before the deadline of the GlobalGiving.org Open Challenge. We were still a few donors short right up to the wire, and within minutes of his arrival here on our farm we had not only reached...but surpassed the needed number of donors and donations. I remember sitting down on the ground and just sobbing, with a giant red horse looking at me at like I had lost my mind. He grew to understand my personality and the fact that I wear my heart on my sleeve, and became my best friend, he was adored by everyone who met him. He had a check up the day before and was given a clean bill of health, but the next day, within a span of 35 minutes, he somehow dislocated/broke his shoulder. This is a catastrophic injury for a horse and, sadly, one that is very common. He was laid to rest next to my beautiful Paco and his memorial garden is already being created. We miss him so very, very much. 

We have grown so much since New Years Eve. We now serve nearly 50 individuals each week, 40 weeks of the year. We serve more than 75 during various outreach programs. We have not only reached, but surpassed our goal of Providing Equine Therapies for 100 Children in Need. And we were able to do it because of you. 

As we wind down a year of many successes, we are reminded of how grateful we are to each and every one of you for your support of our program. As we grow, we hope we can continue to count on you to cheer us on and celebrate our students victories both in the arena, and in their every day lives. 

Sincerely,

Colleen Cheechalk
Program Director and Founder 

Links:

• The Borrowed Freedom Website