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You can give a voice to the nonverbal

March 6, 2012 by Development Director

Voting for the TechSoup Digital Storytelling Challenge is live! NCEFT has entered a video, Heroes and Horsemanship, and is elligible for the Audience Choice Award. The one-minute video showcases the progress of one of the veterans in our 8 week adaptive horsemanship program. With its innovative storyboard apps that give nonverbal patients the opportunity to communicate, the contest’s prize of a new iPad would be a life-changing opportunity for some of our families.

Finding the video can be a challenge, but look for the one submitted by our social media specialist, Shayna F. You may be able to find it more easily by chosing the “Popular” button where it says “Order by” at the top of the page. Thanks to our fantastic support network we’re currently near the top!

http://forums.techsoup.org/cs/p/tsdigs-2012-entervideo.aspx

Therapy for Hippos

February 21, 2012 by Development Director

Blue Avocado, a nonprofit online magazine for community nonprofits, recently posted a column on things people say when they hear you work for a nonprofit. There’s definitely a host of misconceptions regarding nonprofits and their differences from for profit companies. This confusion is only compounded when you throw in foreign words like “hippotherapy” and attempt to convince someone that horses are absolutely a medical treatment and not simply something you see on a farm. Hippotherapy is one of those things no one understands on the first go round. Every explanation invariably ends with the listener offering a vacant smile or noncommital grunt of feigned comprehension.

So, what do we hear when we try to describe NCEFT?

“Is that physical therapy for horses, like if they’re hurt?”

What’s amazing about this comment is the acceptance of therapy as a tool for animals. It wasn’t too long ago that admitting to using accupuncture on your horse meant widened eyes and sympathy for someone who had quite clearly lost their mind. Now, chiropractors are as common as farriers and vets. In fact, our therapy horses receive regular body work to keep them happy and healthy.

“You do therapy with hippos?”

“Nope, “hippo” is Greek for horse.”

Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician, is often credited with first suggesting horseback riding as more than recreation, but instead a means of exercise. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the term “hippotherapy” was coined to define the horse as an adjunct to physical therapy. Considering this relatively recent timeline, its amazing to note that NCEFT will be celebrating its 41st year of offering equine-facilitated therapy.

“That must be depressing working with kids with disabilities.”

Anyone who’s ever stepped foot on our facility knows how far this is from the truth. Imagine being a child who can’t walk without the help of canes, who has to labor over each step. Now, how would it feel to be given the chance to sit astride a horse and ride without help. To be present during a hippotherapy or an adaptive riding session is to know joy. The only sadness or tears we see are from children unready to leave their ponies, or kids who want to take just one more lap on the ATV.

“Does that actually work?”

While we see countless improvements in objective, measurable areas like speech, balance, and strength, it’s the unmeasurable improvements that are most touching. At its heart, therapy is about improving quality of life. NCEFT offers patients and students the opportunity to spend a little time with beautiful animals in a stunning setting. Consider what Winston Churchill once said, “there’s something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” When it comes down to it, there’s something about 880 Runnymede Road that’s good for the inside, the outside, and everything inbetween.

So, what’s the best line you’ve heard when explaining hippotherapy or equine-facilitated therapy?

Heroes and Horsemanship: Day Three

February 10, 2012 by Development Director

Whether it’s carriage driving, competitive riding, or just a hobby, a life with horses is a social one. Though it’s not clear if horseback riding attracts talkative people or instead creates them, the result is the same, a group of people intent on carrying on a conversation until days pass and seasons change. Like twins separated at birth, we manage to find each other at crowded parties and expansive companies, and upon finding each other refuse to let go, madly quizzing each other on the price of hay, or the best winter blanket. Ever noticed how our Horse Handlers say each equine’s name before issuing instructions (“Sebastian, walk on”)? It’s to let the horse know the conversation is no longer aimed at the sidewalker, therapist, or patient, but at them.

For veterans returning from war, depression and anxiety can leave servicemen and women feeling isolated, starting a terrible cycle of social withdrawal. We often talk about the physical benefits of equine-facilitated therapy, and even the mental benefits, but the emotional ones are just as important. Our adaptive horsemanship program not only joins together veterans as peers, but brings into the conversation their significant others, children, and friends. It creates and nutures relationships that are essential to their recovery. Our arena is such a wonderful place to be, and within its walls are a group of people intent on helping each other become the best possible version of themselves. We hope you too can feel that sense of friendship as you watch this week’s video, and be sure to stick around until the very end for what must be one of the most inspiring shots of a young veteran and his growing family.

Video: Heroes and Horsemanship: Day Three

Best of Intentions

January 10, 2012 by Development Director

The New Year’s Resolution has a rich history grounded in a host of countries and religions. From the Romans who sought good fortune by making promises to their god Janus, to the medieval tradition of knights placing their hands on a peacock during the final feast of Christmas week, and vowing continued chivalry, resolutions of self-improvement and repentance have long christened the beginning of a year.

Equally as rich as the tradition of making resolution, is that of breaking them. Though January 1^st may find us fresh-faced and ready to attack the months to come, a fervor fueled in part by the desire to distance ourselves from the pies and puddings of yesteryear, it’s not long before our commitment starts to wane. Plans of yoga and healthy lunches faced with fatigue and cravings. Pledges to volunteer or give to those in need, countered with busy schedules and a struggling economy.

What many of us fail to realize is the act of doing, however difficult to start, is akin to a ball rolling downhill. Lacking momentum at first, you may have to put your full weight into it, perhaps struggling, having moments of doubt, but then the ball begins to pick up speed.

The staff of NCEFT has many resolutions. We want to be productive, helping as many patients as we can each week. We want to bring awareness to equine-facilitated therapy and the many ways it changes lives. We want to continue to build relationships with volunteers, donors, and the community as a whole.

We want to be part of your New Year’s Resolution. Whether it’s coming in for a few hours each week to sidewalk, giving a charitable gift, or helping at a fundraiser, we’d like to help you break tradition and not only reach your goals for this year, but for every year to come.

A Year in Review

January 4, 2012 by Development Director

We never seem to become accustomed to the speed at which a year goes by, and as always, find ourselves wondering how January has come again so soon. This past year at NCEFT has been monumental, including a host of improvements to the facility and continued expansion of our therapeutic programs.

January 2011 saw the completion of our stall renovation project. Funded by our 2010 Heroes and Horses Gala, stalls were outfitted with state of the art flooring by Equine Comfort Systems. The new system has allowed us to cut down on our use of wood shavings and has noticeably improved the lives of our older horses.

“Bits and Pieces” opened its doors for the first time in mid-February, selling gently used donated tack at reduced prices. Housed in a refurbished outbuilding, the small store has raised roughly $5,000 in support of NCEFT.

bandP — The newly rennovated "Bits and Pieces" tack store

NCEFT jumped on the social media bandwagon in early June, launching this very blog in hopes of bringing awareness to equine-facilitated therapy and our facility. NCEFTspeaks now has over 400 followers, reaching hundreds of people every day.

The equine community was hit hard in May and June as the EHV-1 virus ran its course throughout the Western United States. In an effort to keep local horses as safe as possible, NCEFT made the difficult decision to turn our annual Poker Ride into a Poker Walk. In a huge show of support, nearly all of the entries turned down their refunds and opted to continue on foot.

poker — EHV-1 didn't stop people from hitting the trails in support of NCEFT

In July we took down the pop-up covers that had long provided protection in the crossties from the sun and rain, installing a beautiful shade sail by Home-Teck. Donated by a pair of volunteers, the awning was a much needed contribution.

Our herd increased by three in August with the additions of Honey, Buddy, and Janie. All three horses are doing fantastic and working their way into our therapy programs.

Honey gets groomed before a morning workout

Buddy copy — Buddy shows off his beautiful coloring

September was a busy month with two large events benefitting NCEFT. The Wounded Warriors Polo Benefit once again chose us as one of their beneficiaries. Friends, family, and staff all turned out on a beautiful Sunday to watch the ponies and help raise money in support of veterans. Two weeks later we hosted our yearly Heroes and Horses Gala. A record setting number of guests and wonderful fund-a-need auction allowed us to raise nearly $190,000.

National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT) Annual "Heroes and Horses- a Jewels and Jeans Gala" — Chase and Mom, Tish, take the stage at this year's gala

We kicked off the party season with our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in November. The party was a welcome opportunity to reconnect with friends and get to know fellow volunteers and staff.

Our Holiday Party for NCEFT Families was the final event of the year, and the one most looked forward to by our younger patients. From carriage rides, to fire trucks, and even a visit from the Santa, there was no shortage of activities (or food!).

Santa and Sebastian take a moment to greet guests

As 2011 drew to a close we made one last improvement, replacing the roof over the barn stalls. The project was funded by this year’s Gala, and comes just in time for the winter rainy season.

On the horizon for this year is the introduction of a new veteran’s program aimed at preparing small groups of injured vets for a ranch experience in Idaho. NCEFT will be the first stop for the group, teaching basic horsemanship and helping to develop their strength and riding skills. At the end of the 8 week program we’ll hand the group over to the ranch where they’ll hit the open trails. The addition of these 10 students each week highlights the continued growth of our therapeutic programs. Now operating six days a week, NCEFT is excited to be seeing more patients than ever. With the new year stretching brightly before us, and personal resolutions yet to be broken (exercise more, eat healthier…), NCEFT would like to wish everyone a very happy new year and all the best in 2012.

You can give a voice to the nonverbal

You can give a voice to the nonverbal

Therapy for Hippos

Heroes and Horsemanship: Day Three

Video: Heroes and Horsemanship: Day Three

Best of Intentions

A Year in Review

NCEFT: HORSES. HOPE. HEALING.

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