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REACH Therapeutic Riding Center

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Reach!
Fall 2011

Our Blessings Continue to Multiply

We Survived the Summer of 2011!
After a summer of recordbreaking heat, its wonderful to see the temperatures move below the three-digit mark. Time to gear up for a new season and a new session! This fall finds REACH continuing to grow in many ways. We have increased our staff with a new instructor as well as an office manager. Krystin Snodgrass became our fourth instructor in June. Veteran volunteer Sue Fleshman agreed to come aboard as our much-needed office manager. We welcome you both! Generous donations have been received to help us continue our mission and share the benefit of horse time with more individuals. This fall will see the initiation of a new program at REACH to serve those who have served us. Horses for Heroes, a program designed for disabled military and veterans, will kick-off on October 4 with an orientation and briefing on this important service. One of the most significant and important increases at the center is the number of volunteers who continue to graciously donate their time and talents. None of the other numbers would mean anything without the volunteers we depend on to help our center run smoothly every day. Our summer volunteer trainings increased our family by 15, bringing our volunteer roster to more than 60! Thank you and see you at the barn! Barbara Epps Program Director As you might imagine, it takes a lot of money and resources to operate a center like REACH. Most therapeutic riding centers depend on donations to pay for many of their expenses, and REACH is no different. What makes REACH different, however, is the extraordinary generosity of our local donors, as well as a national foundation, that have stepped up and shown their confidence and belief in our mission. Because of these organizations, we are able to feed and take care of our horses, train and pay our staff, and offer scholarships to riders who might not otherwise have the means to ride with us. Our thanks and gratitude go to each and every one of these important donors: Brazos Higher Education Services Corp. donated $10,000 this year and set up a matching grant fund of $10,000 for 2012. Thank you to Bob Chambers for spearheading these grants. Fentress Foundation has donated $10,000. Thank you to Sara Humphries Warren for this generous show of support. American Quarter Horse Foundation has donated $7,500 as part of their Americas Horse Cares therapeutic riding grant program. Thank you to Kendra Suhling for opening the door to this opportunity. The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation has donated $5,000 to our scholarship fund. Thank you again to Bob Chambers for his work on this grant. Heart of Texas Electric Co-op has donated $2,500 for the third year in a row. Thank you to Donna Morden for continuing to secure this grant for us. Cooper Foundation has pledged $5,000 toward our scholarship fund. Once again, thank you to Bob Chambers for championing our cause for this grant. We cant say thank enough for your overwhelming generosity. It is only through your support that we can continue our mission.

Congress Clothing Selects REACH as their September-October Charity

CONGRESS CLOTHING has chosen REACH to be a part of their Congress Community, a program which chooses local and national charities bimonthly that Congress Clothing supports. As their charity for the months of SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER this means that, with every purchase made, Congress Clothing will donate a portion of the sale to REACH! In addition, Congress Clothing will spread our message through drop-in cards in each shopping bag, signage about REACH in their store, and a link on their website to our website. This is a great program and a wonderful opportunity for REACH! Please support Congress Clothing (www.CongressClothing.com) and thank them for supporting REACH!

More Thanks to...

Mike and Lu McDonald for developing a custom database for our ever-growing business. Sidney Bolfing for the parts and labor to hook up the washing machine he donated. Kevin and Sandra Westerfield for taking such great care of our facility and the beautiful new paint job on the barn!

The use of the riding facility is made possible through the generosity of Gary and Diane Heavin.
www.REACHtrc.org [email protected] www.Facebook.com/REACHtrc 254-848-7888

REACH Launches New Program This Fall

Heroes
A PATH, International Program

Honoring soldiers injured in service in partnership with the horse.

In October of this year, REACH Therapeutic Riding Center will initiate a new Horses for Heroes pilot program to provide an alternative equine therapy to military veterans with disabilities. This service will be available to any veteran or military personnel, regardless of the war or conflict in which they participated.
Horses for Heroes is a national program begun by the Ride On Center for Kids, R.O.C.K., in Georgetown, Texas, in 2005. REACH Therapeutic Riding Center has been working with the staff at R.O.C.K., including Nancy Krenek, who developed and started the first Horses for Heroes program in the United States, to bring this program to Waco. Why horses The bond between horse and human is undeniable and well-documented. In a variety of ways, interacting with horses helps people with special needs to reach their greatest potential. The goal of this program is to improve the lives of service men and women who have suffered injury in the line of duty, helping them to adjust physically and emotionally to their post-war lives. Participants must be approved by a physician and screened by a therapist, mental health professional and a therapeutic riding instructor to determine the suitability of this treatment. Soldiers with a diagnosis of PTSD, TBI, amputations, burns and neurological impairment may benefit from this service. Soldiers helping soldiers Veteran volunteers will be recruited to support their fellow soldiers and are a key ingredient in the healing of injured soldiers. Having veterans provide moral and physical support to their wounded comrades honors the military philosophy of no soldier left behind. All veteran volunteers will receive training in program goals, horse handling, side walking and safety. Benefits seen The rhythmic and repetitive motion of the horse simulates the normal human walking gait. This provides external input which works as a biofeedback mechanism, helping to retrain the motor and cognitive systems for improved function. Balance, core strength, fine and gross motor skills and speech improve as well as a sense of confidence and accomplishment as the soldier develops a connection with the horse. More information To learn more about this new program, please join us for an orientation and briefing at the barn: Tuesday, October 4 6:00 pm

H
Horses for

Follow REACH on Vote for Your Favorite Volunteer Facebook We all know volunteers are the foundation of our program,
Now you can keep up to date on events, schedules, happenings and fun facts at www.Facebook.com/REACHtrc. and now you can show your appreciation. Vote for your favorite volunteer and tell us why they are so special. Ballots are available in the volunteer room and front office.

The real heroes of our center are listed below. In appreciation to each of you for your unique and generous contribution to the people and programs of REACH.

HORSESHOE HEROES
Classic Equine Congress Clothing Mike & Lu McDonald

Founders Club
Gary & Diane Heavin Larry & Marilyn Barnett Brazos Higher Education Fentress Foundation Steve & Candace Harrison The First National Bank of Central Texas

Trail Boss

Cowboy
Joe Calao & Christine Bergeron Central National Bank Hope Therapy Jaynes, Reitmeyer, Boyd & Therrell Diane McEachern Data Systems of Texas Don Sharp Wells Fargo Bank Wrangler
Alliance Bank Bird-Kultgen Ford Community Bank & Trust Dr. & Mrs. Steven Cutbirth Dr. & Mrs. Kelly Irons Kay & Lindon Olson, Jr. Providence Healthcare Network Clifton & Betsy Robinson Wes & Rebecca Bailey Billy & Patty Davis HOT Fair & Rodeo ManeGait Therapeutic Riding Center Waco Mayors Committee for People with Disabilities Walmart

Horseshoe Circle
American Quarter Horse Foundation Cooper Foundation Heart of Texas Electric Co-op Larry & Donna Morden Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation

Stable Mate
Christian Mission Concerns Extraco Banks HEB Beth Key - Fire Dr. Ed Lee - Blys Jennifer Matthews - Cody Shawn & Misty Petree - Aggie Susan Spooner - Sizzler Sonja Stamness - Simon Kendra Suhling - Chex & Topper Joyce Verona - Lady

Tenderfoot
Lynn Allinson American Bank Rachel Ashcraft Sidney Bolfing Cahill Quarter Horses Kathi Childers Lauri Cole Mike & Pat Combs Gerald Cox, DDS Pediatric Dentistry

Mr. & Mrs. Bill Curtis Bill & Patty Davis Kyle & Diane Deaver Chick Doherty Ron & Barbara Epps Heather Field Firmin Business Forms Lisa Ford Juan Garcia Zandy & Carol Goode Allison Harrison Vivian Harvey Rick Hines Henry Saddlery Hole in the Roof Andy Horn Builder & Developer Independent Bank Rupert Issacson Jan Jackson Mr. & Mrs. Harold Johnson Anita Karney Tracy Kelly, DVM Ramsgate Veterinary Clinic Jim & Karen Lane Julie Latino Jay & Patricia Levine Krystal Lund John McClaren Chevrolet Annie McCollum Kari McKown Merry Maids Larry & Penny Moore Christine Oxford Patricia Peacock Pioneer Steel & Pipe, Inc. Paul Ruiz Betsy Simpson Chad Smith Betsy Snipon Spooner Family Dee Springer Shelby Thompson Kristin Volcik Ann Whitley Kathy Williams

NARHA Changes Name to PATH, International

In an effort to reflect the international reach of the organization and the inclusion of the mental health aspect of equine assisted activities, our governing body, NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) has changed their name to PATH, Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). REACH will be integrating this new name into our literature and center.

First Annual Horses for Healing Dinner a Big Success

In April of this year REACH hosted our first fund-raising dinner at the barn. Horses for Healing was held on a comfortable spring evening and featured food by Georges catering, music by a Baylor ensemble and more than 50 silent auction items on which guests could bid. The event was attended by nearly 200 people and raised an amazing $25,000 for the center and our programs. Thank you to Diane McEachern for serving as chairperson of this important inaugural event. Candace Harrison was at Dianes side throughout handling the responsibilities of sponsorship chairman. Donna Morden did an amazing job coordinating and collecting the silent auction items. Thank you to Sue Fleshman for securing the donation of the fabulous decorations, Rebecca Bailey for getting our invitations out, and Sherrie Harrison for manning the merchandise booth. Kudos for the music arranged by Stephen Heyde of Baylor. And a final a huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped set up, greet and check in guests, park the cars, give barn tours, collect the silent auction bids and clean up afterwards! See everyone next year!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Horses for Healing dinner in April. Even Lady expressed her gratitude to all!

Congratulations to Krystin Join the Club! The REACH Pony Club, that is. This Our Newest Instructor year we launched a new fund-raising proAfter nearly six months of studying, training, practicing and ultimately testing, Krystin Snodgrass has completed and passed the PATH Intl. Instructor Workshop and Certification Course with flying colors! Krystin becomes our fourth instructor on staff at REACH, and just in time for a busy fall schedule. gram to help defray our costs and spread the word about REACH. Choose one of three levels and receive an I Support REACH window sticker for your car, a REACH Your Potential coffee mug, or a cool iReach t-shirt, designed just for Pony Club members. Sign-up forms are available in the volunteer room and front office. And remember, volunteers and rider families can join for half-price!

Krystin helps Evan Marsh paint Aggies hoof during a parts-of-the-horse lesson.

REACH Therapeutic Riding Center Mission Improving the health, increasing the confidence, and promoting the independence of persons with special needs through the use of horses.