Mane Impact: N.C. Therapeutic Riding Center

Putting Your Donations to Work: How Small, Healthy Changes for Children Add Up

 February 6, 2010

From the Executive Director

I hope this picture taken by Margie Muenzer will grab your heart as it did mine! And the story behind it.

David has a mischievous soul, or so I think! When I came into the indoor arena where he was riding, he was tossing the items his therapist just gave him in every which direction. I think he was making a game out of it, tossing and getting the volunteers and even his dad to retrieve them. 

His horse, Daisy, didn't seem to mind the toys raining all around her. She's a therapy horse trained to work with children who enefit from physical therapy.His physical therapist, also a certified riding instructor, is trained to use Daisy and the other horses to help him and other children gain in strength, balance and in coordination. 

David formed a bond with Daisy almost immediately when he enrolled in a hippotherapy class last fall. His mother says when she and David talk about his time with Daisy, he "gets so excited and “clicks” his tongue and pretends to ride a horse."  She says she "feels the joy of him understanding and he looks forward to his riding time. He even says Daisy's name.” She expressed amazement at how his physical therapist makes David work his muscles. "He is having so much fun, he doesn't realize he is doing physical therapy.  He reaches out to give her pats on the head and loves the games they play."

The classes are made possible in part by donations from Credit Suisse, GlaxcoSmithKline, and RTI, Inc. and in part by program fees and donations from individuals, like you, and from foundations. David's helmet, the bridle and the saddle (not pictured) were all equipment purchased with the support of the American Airlines and several individuals.

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***** Breaking News: An anonymous donor, a kind and generous soul, just yesterday, offered an amazing opportunity for NCTRC to match, dollar for dollar, a $20,000 gift by July 2010. Please be on the lookout for an email from me about this gift! ****

 

Be an Angel; Run or Walk for NCTRC

 

Occasional Update from the Executive Director

January 31, 2010

 

NCTRC's programs are supported in part by donations from individuals, horse whisperers and long-term guardian angels. Would you like to spend some time outside, get some exercise and and run for a good cause? Join us by participating in the race on Saturday, March 27 or sponsoring someone! Either way, remember to ask your friends to support you or someone else. It's easy to do. Click on the link for the Great Human Race and read all about it. No postage stamps or paperwork. Just emails and online donations. If 100 people sign up and ask 10 friends to each give $10, we can raise $10,000. We can do quite a lot --- and with just pennies. Find out why some of us are running or walking in the race for this good cause: Margie Muenzer [Extraordinaire Guardian Angel]. Sarah Shapard [Executive Director/Horse Whisperer] and Diane Stranahan [Volunteer Coordinator/Guardian Angel].

 

Celebrating 2009 Achievements, Ringing in 2010!

 

www.nctrcriders.org

January 1, 2010

In the spirit of the new year, we want to celebrate what NCTRC has achieved in 2009 and ring in 2010 with plans of what NCTRC will do!

We recently sent you an invitation from FeedBurner to subscribe to our NCTRC Mane Impact blog. If you subscribe, you will receive an occasional update with a picture via email. If you haven't received this invitation, please visit www.maneimpact.typepad.com to subscribe.

In addition, please visit www.causes.com/nctrc, and join NCTRC on Facebook.

Our heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your contributions and involvement in NCTRC in 2009 and we look forward to 2010!

WHAT NCTRC HAS ACHIEVED IN 2009:

* 32 years in existence as a powerful force for the well-being of our clients and by extension for the community

* more than 100 volunteers donated more than 2,500 in 2009

* a first for NCTRC, all the volunteer spots for the winter session were filled before classes started! In the past Diane Stranahan was recruiting volunteers to fill the spots even during the first two weeks. Other volunteer opportunities this winter are available!

* Twenty-two percent increase in the number of donors from 2008 in 2009. We are very thankful for your kindness and generosity and for investing in NCTRC.

Can you think of other reasons to celebrate? We can think of one more; the wonderful children and adults who hae made significant strides from dependence to interdepence!

WHAT NCTRC WILL DO IN 2010:

Please visit www.nctrcriders.org, for more information  on the new Clearwind Farm Riding Membership club, dates for the upcoming workshops and clinics, and opportunities to lease space for meetings. Save the date! NCTRC will be participating in the Great Human Race on Saturday, March 27. Please considering making this commitment! Every dollar you raise will enable us to create meaningful opportunities to help empower the children and adults we serve! Check out the information about our all-inclusive summer camps for kids ages 5 - 12!

 Yours in celebration ---- Audrey, Diane, James, Jacki, James, Lissa, Margie, Mary Beth and Sarah

have a sweet, joyful holiday

December 24, 2009

While we wish we could thank each of you in person for the contributions you have made throughout 2009 as volunteers or as donors to the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center, the next best option is to express our gratitude ---virtually --- through the blog. 

To our volunteers, you came in spite of the heat, rain, fog or snow, and when the sun was rising from the east and left when the sun was setting to the west. You came on days when the temperature was 100 degrees, and in spite of the black ice on the road. You filled in for those who couldn't make it and stayed behind to make sure the stalls were clean. You came on rainy days to care for the horses, to paint the rooms in the farmhouse, or to set up workshops.

The time you spent or the amount of money you gave --- no matter how small --- has ---- no doubt ---- started something big for the clients we serve. Maybe that something big jump started a child's ability to play with a friend, or helped a child pay more attention in his classroom. Or in some cases enabled some of the children to ditch their wheelchairs after they built up strength.

We have felt the impact of your involvement in small or big ways, and truly believe we cannot do this work without your support.

We hope the holidays will bring you joy and fulfillment and we look forward to see you in 2011!

Wishing you all a sweet, joyful holiday, from us all here at NCTRC.

 

 

our "to do" last week, this week and in the future at NCTRC

It's a gorgeous morning with the fog making abstracts out of the horses and every tree and bush outside has been wite-out. I love mornings like this, quiet and peaceful, a good time to reflect and think about what we have done and what is coming up you might like to know about and can share with your friends.

Our "to do" last week, this week and in the future:

• We held several volunteer orientation training classes last week for lesson volunteers. Diane Stranahan, our volunteer coordinator, did an amazing job pulling it all together with a team of staff members and volunteers. There will be other opportunities to train before classes start January 11, if you want to volunteer. Diane Stranahan, volunteer@nctrcriders.org.

• Tidbit: Did you know NCTRC has an indoor arena? It is one of the few therapeutic riding centers in the state with the ability to host classes during the winter, when it is cold, or during the summer when it is hot? I'm not saying you don't have to wear a jacket. You will need it but at least you have some protection from the weather.

• This Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 11 - 1 p.m., we will be hosting an open house for individuals and businesses from the Chapel Hill community. Come and join us! Send your RSVP to sarah@nctrcriders.org. Look for an article about this event and NCTRC in the Chapel Hill Herald.

• This Thursday, Dec. 17, we will be meeting to begin the process of mapping out the future of NCTRC. Frankie Price Stern, board member, will lead this initiative with the guidance of Perry Cole and Sherry Graham of the Executive Service Corps. Thanks to Robin Barefoot of the Triangle Community Foundation for enabling us to use the foundation's conference room. When we are ready and have a plan in place, we will be in touch with you to get your feedback and thoughts!

• Save the dates. Please consider participating in the Volunteer Center of Durham's Great Human Race on March 27, 2010 and asking your friends to support you and NCTRC in this race. Or host a "Bring the Derby Home" party at your house or at a sports bar on May 1, 2010 to raise funds and awareness of the work we do. There's a website that will show you how to host a Derby party. Sarah Shapard, sarah@nctrcriders.org

• Want to host a clinic at NCTRC? Or know of somebody who does? You can lease the indoor arena during times when the classes are not in session at NCTRC! Audrey Ganitopoulos, audrey@nctrcriders.org

• Introducing our new security guard: he's a mid-sized rooster and told the world from the top of his lungs I was on the farm but no body responded, not even the cat or the horses! Well, that's not true, the cat did look mildly interested in him. He's got every single shiny color known to mankind plastered all over his body. When I say shiny, I mean aluminum shiny! But the colors are gorgeous, it would be challenging to capture them in paint. 

 

Need a holiday gift? See our kid- and parent-approved list of gifts from NCTRC!

December 2, 2009

Dear Santa,

I can't believe it's almost Christmas. I hope you have a good year. I have enjoyed school, piano lessons and horseback riding lessons. I take horseback riding lessons at the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center. the horse I train on is Nora. I like to make my horse trot. My friend takes lessons with me. Santa, would you please bring our horses at NCTRC some new shoes,  a riding helmet or gifts of money like other people have done? If you bring us these gifts, NCTRC can help more children.

This Christmas my family is going to help less fortunate people.

Have a happy holiday,

Thank you, Courtney Ray

[For the first time in NCTRC's history, we have a list of the really neat kid- and parent-approved gifts for the holiday season! This list will come in handy if you are about to go shopping! Please download and complete the order form by December 20th, and we here at NCTRC will send you a beautiful gift card to give to your family and friends with the following message inside:

"To celebrate the holiday season, a gift has been made in your honor to support the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center"

You can select as many gifts as you like or select a pre-packaged gift basket (see order form). Some examples of gifts we believe your kids or your friends would love:

• 1 bale of hay ($5)
• 1 bag of horse feed ($15)
• 1 immunization shot ($25)
• 1 pair of shiny new shoes ($75)
• horse pedicure (that's a trim at $35)
• a barn full of hay ($1,000)
• 5 volunteer T-shirts ($25)
• riding helmet ($30)
• new computer ($500)
• sponsorship for a session of riding lessons ($250)
• horse support for 1 month ($200)
• a big box of copy paper ($100)
• 50 volunteer manuals ($50)
• a truck load of shavings ($200)
• SureHands Mechanical Lift ($5,000)
• scholarship for a week at an All-Abilities summer camp ($350)
• a gently used horse trailer ($6,000)
• full sponsorship of a horse for one year ($2,500)

the night they went to a hockey game, courtesy of Cam & Cody Ward

On November 30, several of the children from NCTRC and their parents were invited by Cam Ward, one of the hockey players, and Cody to attend the game that night. From what I hear, they were treated like royalty.  Here is what Brian's mother said about this generous opportunity for the children:

Last night Brian & other riders from the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center (NCTRC) and some family members were the lucky recipients of free tickets and VIP [Very Important People] parking! It was an all inclusive box suite with snacks, sodas, gift bags, and a brief video of all of us "Cam's Champs" on the tel-screen. Let me tell you the suites are NICE!! with a private bathroom, a great view of the ice, super cozy seats and two in suite televisions.

We had a great time! Thanks to NCTRC and super thanks Cam & Cody!

2009 volunteer of the year

november 10, 2009

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in her own words: debbie darling

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A wise lady once told me when you find your ideal job, you will do it for less than they pay you and when you find your calling you will do it for free. I believe that I have found my calling as a volunteer at the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center.

I have been involved with horses for most of my life beginning as a typical horse crazy young girl pestering my parents for riding lessons when I was in elementary school. From then to now an involvement with horses has been my passion. Although I never had the resources to own my own horse, I worked, rode and even taught lessons over the years.  

In 2007 my husband and I relocated to North Carolina from Southern California. Once here I took some lessons at a local barn where I first heard about NCTRC and was intrigued. Years past I had worked with a group of Special Olympians in California and experienced the delight they felt riding their horses and the care with which their horses took of them. A few months later NCTRC came up again when some friends mentioned that the organization was holding a class for new volunteers. We decided to attend.

From there I was hooked. I began volunteering in the spring of 2009 as a sidewalker or leader as needed for a few classes. I had found my passion, whatever it may be, working with the horses to serving as a substitute in classes. I believe what I do helps make a difference to those whose lives haven't always been as blessed as mine.   I have been blessed with the time and resources to fulfill my passion.

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"Debbie is always available if I need a sub for a class. Even at the last minute," said Diane Stranahan, volunteer coordinator. "We see her everywhere from helping out with the  NARHA instructors workshop, making lunches for the participants to shuttling horses in and out like  precision clockworks and developing a spreadsheet for scheduling volunteers and classes." Even on a cold, rainy day, Debbie was seen soaking Banner's foot and bandaging his abscess.

meet courtney

Courtney, 13, has been riding at the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center (NCTRC) since the fall of 2007.  She has microcephaly, learning disabilities and sensory integration issues and faces additional challenges of not being able to hear as well as she would like. In addition to riding a horse, she plays the piano. Here is what her mother, Sandra, says about Courtney in her own words:

Courtney, our daughter, wants to be a horse trainer when she grows up. She’s been saying that for awhile now.  Sometimes she’ll say she also wants to be “a horse rider.”  She likes to ride horses “because we do two point and we ride on the horse without a saddle,” sometimes. Two points is a gaiting technique, to get the horse to put two hooves down at the same time.

Courtney had participated in various extracurricular activities like ballet, tap, jazz, piano, and Tai Kwan Do.  Until we discovered therapeutic horseback riding at NCTRC , piano was the only other activity that Courtney enjoyed and could participate fully. We chose dance as a way to help her with rhythm and balance concerns, and Tai Kwan Do to help build muscle strength, balance and for physical fitness.  The challenge Courtney faced with dancing was keeping up with the pace of the class and learning the dance moves.  The Tai Kwan Do class was too large – Courtney needed more personal instruction and assistance, which was not a possibility at the facility and in her group class.

We needed to find an activity for Courtney that she would enjoy doing at her own pace, as well as provide some physical therapy.  We certainly found it at the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center.

Courtney took to horseback riding and the center’s staff immediately.  Though, I can still remember the fear in her eyes and the worry on her face during her very first lesson as she stood near the enormous horse.  Courtney is afraid to try new things like the rides at Disney World and unexpected loud noises.  There is usually much prodding and discussion and answering many questions: “Will it go too fast?,” “How long will it last?” “Will it bite?”…and then some more prodding, until sometimes we resort to “You won’t be able to watch Scooby Doo this week if you don’t try this!”  Courtney needs reassurance she will be safe.  I can’t blame her for that – we care about safety too!

And speaking of safety, the center requires the riders to wear proper riding attire including helmets, toe-covered shoes and jeans.  The staff is constantly watching them. Courtney has learned how to approach a horse and other safe techniques when she is around them. I still worry that something might happen and she could be injured, but I have complete confidence in the instructors and staff at the NCTRC and the benefits Courtney has received outweigh the danger of injury. 

When Courtney arrives for her lesson, she puts on her helmet.  Then she goes down to the barn to help get the horse ready for a ride.  She helps by fixing the stirrups, talking to the horse, and maybe brushing him or her.  Trotting is Courtney’s favorite activity. She can tell her horses to go, stop and turn. When Courtney first began riding, there were volunteers walking alongside of the horse, which made Courtney feel safe. We liked that too! Now she has just one volunteer walking alongside her. Riding has helped with Courtney’s balance and strength. More importantly, she has bonded with the horses and her relationships with them have boosted her confidence more than anything else. She can do it!

Mane News: North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center

MANE NEWS FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER

October 21, 2009

We would like to stay in touch with you periodically and save money and paper by using emails as our primary form of communicating. This message is being sent to everyone in our database who is marked as an active participant at the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center and for whom we have an e-mail address. If you would rather not receive these periodic e-mails, use a different email address or if your email address changes, please send a message to info@nctrcriders.org. If you want to get a paper copy of our "Mane News" please let us know.


NO MORE WAITING. For the first time in NCTRC's history, we don't have a waiting list. We were operating only in the afternoons --- an arrangement NCTRC had with the owners of Clearwind Farm --- and we had a limited number of slots available. Now that we have taken over the management of the farm, our morning classes are available and we can accept a few more participants for our afternoon slots. Please pass the word along. We can work with children, as well as adults, who face challenges ranging from ADD, autism, learning disabilities, developmental delays, traumatic brain injuries to celebral palsy, Down syndrome, paralegia, and strokes. For brochures, 919-304-1009 or info@nctrcriders.org.

AMERICA'S GIVING CHALLENGE. Please join us in America's Giving Challenge for the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center. Will you pony up $10, if you haven't already, and inspire your friends to each do the same? Send 10 emails. Copy and paste the text into your emails. The link is http://www.causes.com/donations/select_donation_method?cause_id=215766. The nonprofit that receives the greatest number of donations will get $50,000 from PARADE magazine, Case Foundation and Causes on Facebook. Deadline: November 7, 2009

Tell your friends NCTRC is a nonprofit organization designed to enhance the overall well-being of children, as well as adults, with a wide range of challenges through equine assisted therapeutic programs. These challenges include but are not limited to, ADD, learning disabilities, behavioral issues, developmental delays, strokes, brain injuries, medical conditions, post traumatic stress disorder, paralegia, Down syndrome, and celebral palsy. For more information about NCTRC, visit www.nctrcriders.org. 919-304-1009.

WELCOMING NEW STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS

Audrey Ganitopoulos. Audrey's two years with NCTRC have seen her in the roles of volunteer and then riding instructor, and now as program director. She is no stranger to the world of equine assisted activities and therapies. She has worked in many capacities within this industry for several years and with horses since she was a child. Audrey is also the North Carolina State Chair for NARHA. When the program director position was first offered to her, she told us this was a dream job come true for her.  She is looking forward to helping take NCTRC to the next level and to supporting and connecting more with our group of riders, families and volunteers. audrey@nctrcriders.org

Diane Stranahan. Even though Diane has been with us in a volunteer capacity as the volunteer coordinator since February 2009, please join us in welcoming her to NCTRC' s staff. She was recently hired on a part-time basis to serve in this position. Her primarily responsibilities will be to support our volunteers, more than 100, who in turn support our riders. Diane has been a lesson volunteer since 2004. She has been riding since she was 5 years old and passed on her love for horses to her daughters. They volunteer with Diane at NCTRC, making it a family affair. volunteer@nctrcriders.org

Sarah Shapard. Sarah started working as executive director last August. Prior to joining NCTRC, Sarah served as executive director of an organization called Our Children's Place. This initiative was part of a capstone paper she did while she was in graduate school at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Sarah has 18 years of experience working in different capacities for a wide range of nonprofit organizations including the Southern Center for International Studies in Atlanta and Aiglon College in Switzerland. As a child, Sarah rode horses, bareback, while living with her family in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. She also rode horses at Camp Easter Seal in Virginia where she worked as a camp counselor for two summers. It was here where she learned to help children with disabilities focus on what they can do. sarah@nctrcriders.org

[An announcement about our new farm and facility manager, James Jeffries, will be published in our next newsletter.]

2009 - 2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Robin Barefoot, Triangle Community Foundation (secretary)
• Ian Buchanan, UNC HealthCare (treasurer)
• Evelyn Chojnakci, BCBSNC
• Lara Katz, Velocity Express (chair)
• Linda Mansmann, UNC HealthCare
• Laurie Reddick, UNC Hospitals
• Cathryn Saff, BCBSNC
• Frances "Frankie" Price Stern, UUA
• Peggy Walz, PegMotions Event Management

JOIN THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. Please contact Peggy Walz, chair, if you would like to join the development committee. peggyswalz@aol.com.

HELP TELL PEOPLE WHAT WE DO. Are you good at giving speeches? Would you like the practice? We are looking for volunteers to give presentations throughout the community to tell them about the work we do. We are also looking for volunteers to handle all aspects of the communications for NCTRC from desktop publishing to writing and editing stories about our participants and volunteers. sarah@nctrcriders.org

2009 MANE EVENT. A big thanks to all 125 of you who were at the first-ever 2009 Mane Event at Clearwind Farm! In spite of the rain, the event was a resounding success. With everybody's involvement, we raised over $3,000 to support our participants in riding towards health and greater independence. Our thanks goes to Peggy Walz, Margie Muenzer, Tracy Jenkins, Kathy Evans and several other volunteers for their hard work and dedication.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS. We will be seeking corporate sponsorships for next year's signature event as well as sponsors for our children and horses and to enable Daisy, our spokes-pony, to go out into the community. 919-304-1009 or sarah@nctrcriders.

FARMHOUSE UPDATE. If you haven't heard, we are making our way from room to room with a gallon of paint and a paintbrush. The colors were selected by Laura Robertson and Cathy Clamage of Chartreuse of Chapel Hill and they are in the process of transforming the farmhouse on a limited budget of $700.

Sheila Northen, Christina Marrone, Christie Hilliard and their husbands have painted some of the rooms. Evelyn Chojnacki, one of our board members, enlisted the help of several volunteers from Credit Suisse to paint the conference room last weekend. Next up: Sarah Cullen, another volunteer, and a group of students from the UNC School of Business.

Our heartfelt thanks to Anthony Mancuso for his generous contribution to help us purchase paint and supplies.

A CALL FOR RIDING INSTRUCTORS AND AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. If you know of someone who might be interested or need more information about these positions, please call Audrey Ganitopolous at 919-304-1009 or send an email to audrey@nctrcriders.org. Certification for riding instructors, application and interviews required.

ELON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. Read all about their involvement with NCTRC at http://maneimpact.typepad.com/nctrc/2009/10/from-elon-all-19-students.html

RENTAL SPACE. We need meeting equipment for our conference room! We would like to offer you the use of the space two times this year at no charge with the exception of the $15 fee/per hour in exchange for new or gently used AV equipment and a screen and your help in setting up the conference room as a place where corporations can do business. sarah@nctrcriders.org

WISH LIST.

• Office supplies
• Bathroom supplies
• Truck and a horse trailer
• Gift cards