Transcription
WWW.Equestcenter.orgFULLCOLOR sectionON DERBY EVENTCALL NOWTherapist Standing by!You can now alsoDONATE securely on-line!page 5Page 7Published for friends of theEquest CenterEquestOutstanding EquineTherapistPage 6Hitting it out of thepark. for EquestFOR THERAPEUTIC RIDING, INC.TimesTHE KENTUCKY DERBY PARTNERS UP WITH EQUEST".!ffOer'yehtdnA"Fall 2012Free of charge3777 Rector NE, Rockford, MI 49341 You can call us at 616-866-3066.A RACE FOR HEALTH,HOPE AND HAPPINESSThe Horsin’ Around atthe Derby for Equest’skids on Saturday May5th came out of thegate strong and finishedahead of the pack! It wasa grand event indeedraising over 80,000 forEquest’s Center’s kids!We have been diligentlyworking on the Many Hands,One Vision Campaign overthe past 3 years and thanks tothe wonderful support of ourcommunity we look forwardto getting the “shovelsin the ground”! Theseimprovements will improvethe quality of experience forcurrent participants, createmany additional therapeuticopportunities and increasecapacity to meet servicedemand.Honorary Hosts StarrMeijer, Eileen DeVries,Wendy Gerber, Dick &Ethie Haworth and Beth & RobSpica and Mistress of Ceremonies“Maranda”fromWOTV4joined with over 275 guests forall the trappings the “Run forthe Roses” is noted for: bonnets,finery, mint juleps, Derby BestAttire and delectable food cateredby Applause! The evening wascomplete with a Live Simulcastof the Derby silent and liveauction treasures, an official “HatContest” and demonstrationsfrom our own Equest Centerjockeys and therapeutic horses inthe “Race for Health, Hope andHappiness”!withofThis was an ESPECIALLY exciting theevening for Equest Center barnThe event was also awonderful opportunity topresent Rachel Mraz, with thevery first Many Hands, OneVision Award for her role asCampaign Chair!the public announcementthe groundbreaking onrenovation of our mainand arena this summer!PAGE 3:Honeyin THERAPY!?!Equest Center would like toextend a special thank youto Presenting Sponsors: theNorthern Cross Foundation,Double M Farms and Meijer,Inc.The success of this eventassures the work of EquestCenterfor TherapeuticRiding will continue for manyyears to come.YES, we have anAPP(aloosa) for that!FOLLOW Equest on social media sitesPAGE 7:HORSES FOR HEROESosehtgnivreSdwho serveColor Photos insidePAGE 2:Two awesome Girlsraise small fortune for Equestseikooowgirl CAlso INSIDE this ISSUE:Rockin’Black and Blueat theC“Yes, doc,ah. a little to the left,no right. up, up. yes,right there. ahh. thisis what I call THERAPYhmmm.this is not acarrot“Ima Cowboy. on a steel. no.REAL horse I ride!”If you want to make a donation or are interested in volunteering, CALL EQUEST AT 616-866-30661
StorDirecehtmorFslZoey and Sarah rope in donations!rigwoCarah Schuette was excited about having her Cowgirl themed birthdayparty—but with a gracious TWIST—she wanted to GIVE rather thanreceive. Sarah was celebrating her 7th birthday and asked her guests to makea donation to Equest Center in lieu of birthday gifts! Sarah, along with her Momand brother, personally delivered her birthday donation during a visit out to thebarn for a tour and photo op with favorite Equest Ambassador Silver. Thank youto Sarah, a sweet quiet girl witha big heart!After seeing a Pay It Forwardpiece on FOX 17 about hercousin Jack who rides at EquestCenter,ZoeyLangenfeldgalloped into action!! Completewith flyers, posters, artwork,a great cookie recipe, assistantbakers and a venue of Bill’sFamily Restaurant on MichiganStreet, Zoey Raised 650 byselling her CowGIRL Cookies forEquest’s Kids! A friend of Zoey’seven pitched in her tooth fairymoney! Another cookie purchaseprompted an offer to “Pay itForward” even further by “FultonStreet Superwash” and wash ALL ofEquest Center’s horse blankets! (avalue of over 600!) Zoey must bebaking some pretty tasty cookies!!!BREAKING GROUND2012 is destined to be a stand out year forEquest Center with so many fantastic“firsts” coming our way! From the newevent “Horsin Around at the Derby for Equest’sKids” raising 80,000 to the “Many Hands” thathave joined together to support Equest’s “OneVision” .the excitement keeps growing!Because of the support of generous individuals,foundations, businesses individuals of all ages,Equest Center is ready to break ground on therenovation and addition to the Main Barn andarena this summer! Check out the renderings onpage 4 of the newsletter to see what’s in store!The installation of 11,000 linear feet of newRAMM fencing is complete on Equest’s now35 acres of land creating new pastures, perimeter fencing and the frame for our soon-to-comesensory trail!Besides the expanded property lines and thephysical changes at the Center, Equest has expanded the number of clients served throughnew programming of all types!Current programs at Equest Center include: Therapeutic Riding ProgramSummer and Special Star Horsemanship CampHorses for Heroes (serving our Veterans)Vocational Job skills trainingSenior Saturdays (with the Elderly)Horses as Healers (Partnership with Gilda’sClub and those affected by cancer) Grooming program Music Therapy on Horseback Horses and Hands Program Equine Facilitated Learning Sensory Riding Trail coming soon Carriage & Cart Driving programcoming soonEquest Center is the only center offering manyof these programs in the area and in some casesmuch further beyond! Sr Ann Francis, EquestCenter Instructor and licensed Music Therapistprovides the instruction for our Music Therapyon Horseback program. She continues to develop new activities, strategies and applicationsand has been asked to be a Presenter at PATH’sNational conference this year. Equest Center isexcited to be on the cutting edge of such a new,powerful addition to the field of therapeuticHorsemanship program for so many. Equest willalso be the first facility in this area offering a special needs Carriage driving program and SensoryTrail.As all of these new changes and more come in toplay, our need and appreciation for GREAT volunteers remains the same!! Without their ManyHands joined with Equest’s many Hooves wewould not be able to accomplish our mission!We invite you to join us during the most excitingyear in the center’s existence! It’s a culminationof many dreams, visions, plans, teamwork andpatient persistence that has brought us to wherewe are today. I am so very excited and blessed tobe a part of it!2“ProfHITS” benefit EquestEquest Center for Therapeutic Ridingwas named one of the West MichiganWhitecaps Non-ProfHITS organizations Courtesy of the Whitecaps and Morton Buildings for the 2011 season! EquestCenter was partnered with player Rob Brantly.Each time Rob made a hit he earned forEquest Center and our name was proudly announced to the crowd in Fifth Third Ball Park!Mr Brantly knocked the ball out of the parkso many times he earned the maximum forEquest. Equest Crew: Kathy Ryan, ExecutiveDirector, Jeff Agar, President-Equest Board ofDirectors, John Agar, Equest Rider, and AaronMcConnell from Morton Buildings were presented with a check for 1,000 at home plateby Whitecaps owner Lew Chamberlain at theend of the season!BBQ Party Cooks Up Equest SupportHow could this be any Better?!! Equest Center has been Chosen Once AGAIN as a NonProfHIT partner for the 2012 Season! Keepan eye out for our player this year “BrandonLoy #15” and cheer him on as he Makes BigHits to help Equest Center!MOOSE on Bikes raises LOTS of Moolah for EquestFor the past 4 years the Sparta’s “Moose On Bikes”have planned, organized and Hosted a Black and BlueBall at their facility, complete with Live Music (donated)by the fabulous Band OTC, dinner, dancing, live andsilent auctions, and raffles! This years event boasted theLARGEST TURNOUT yet, raising 5,000 for Equest’sKids! Many Thank you to OTC- a FANTASTIC bandand to the kind hearted, generous Sparta MOB forsupporting us all these years.If you want to make a donation or are interested in volunteering, CALL EQUEST AT 616-866-3066
“Thank you to all of the community support from corporate, school, and churchorganizations for there HANDS ON support, helping on site with the many projectsat Equest throughout the year!”AMWAY,FOREMOST INSURANCE,IRWIN SEATING, DELOITTE &TOUCHE, GFS, ST. ROBERTS,ASSUMPTION MIDDLE SCHOOL,EAST GRAND RAPIDS MIDDLESSCHOOL, RIDGEVIEW INDUSTRIES,GRANDVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL,WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, WARNERNORCROSS & JUDD, FEDEX, WESTMICHIGAN WHITECAPS, YOUTHWORK CAMP, CEDAR SPRINGS RITZ,BELDING ELEMENTARY, 5/3 BANK,GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY,EVEREST INSTITUTE, FARMERSINSURANCE, SPARTA BOY SCOUTS,GRAND RAPIDS PREPARATORY, UPS,VARNUM & RIDDERING, UNITEDWAY DAY OF CARING, JESUSCHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS,STEELCASE, ROCKFORD MIDDLESCHOOL, MILLER JOHNSON, UNITYCHRISTIAN, AMERICORP, DELTA ZETAGVSU CHAPTER, CORNERSTONE,ROCKFORD HIGH SCHOOL, KUYPERCOLLEGE, ALGOMA CHRISTIAN,GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITYCOLLEGE, CROWE HORWATH,SPECTRUM HEALTH, PAY CHEX, FEDEX, WEST MICHIGAN WHITECAPS,WEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, GIRLSCOUTS, ECO TREK KIDS, BORISCHIND., FIFTH THIRD BANK, WEDGWOOD,Your time and moneymakes this possible atEQUEST every dayHorses give us steady legs, but you, volunteers, you give our Center wings! Thank you!NAHRA adopts new name: PATH InternationalThe professional organization that promotesequine-assisted activities and therapies toimprove the lives of people with disabilities hasa new name: the ProfessionalAssociation of TherapeuticHorsemanship International(PATH International.) FormerlyNARHA (North AmericanRiding for the HandicappedAssociation), PATH Internationalbetter expresses the scope of the42-year-old organization whose 6,300 therapy horsesand 3,500 instructors serve 42,000 children and adultswith physical, mental and psychological challenges atJan ParkerI800 member centers around the world.The PATH International board and members chosethe term therapeutic horsemanship because it moreaccurately conveys the organization’s numerousdisciplines. PATH International centers now offerequine-facilitated psychotherapy and learning,therapeutic carriage driving, interactive vaulting,hippotherapy, competition and programs forleadership, team building and stable management.The association’s tagline best expresses the work thatits centers, staff, volunteers, equines and donorsaccomplish: Ensuring excellence and changing livesthrough equine-assisted activities and therapies.n 1991, shortly after Equest Center first opened, an enthusiastic volunteer namedJan Parker walked through the door. It didn’t take long before she was hooked! Aftervolunteering for years, Jan began training to become a PATH International Certifiedinstructor. In 1999 Jan gained her certification and in 2002 Jan added the role of ClientProgram Coordinator at Equest! From day one Jan has never accepted a pay check andactually has made endless donations to the center for therapy items needed for “her kids”who each hold a special place in her heart!After much thought at consideration, Jan has decided it is time to step down as Client Program Coordinatorto free up some of her time so she can enjoy new adventures with Hubby Don who is newly retired! Don’tworry Jan will still be teaching therapy classes in the riding arena as usual! And she will be onsite stilla great deal to answer questions or help our new Client program Coordinator in an effort to make thetransition seamless!If you see Jan please give her a little Thank You and pat on the back for being such an amazing gift to all ofus at Equest Center. The program would not have been the same without her!Find out how YOU can become a volunteer. Call 866.3066 Today!!!!INurses take off the (surgical) gloves at Equestmagine the questions and surprise among a groupof 20 Grand Rapids Community College LPNNursing students, upon hearing they would bespending a six week Pediatric rotation at a therapeuticriding center ”A what?” “Where?” And so their experience began, attending a trainingsession at Equest Center. Students among the group were notonly from different parts of Michigan, but Asia and West Indies.Almost none had heard of therapeutic riding or had been aroundhorses but all were immediately interested in the benefits oftherapeutic riding and applying it to their coursework.No uniforms and sparklingwhite shoes to don.Adjustments were in order. No uniforms and sparkling whiteshoes to don, or clipboards with charts and notes. This wouldnot be a sterile work environment to stand back and observe,these students were stepping out of the box and some comfortzones to work with a hands on approach under the supervisionof Equest Certified Instructors. Over the weeks, all of thestudents completed the entire rotation, with some putting inmore hours than required, some even volunteering in events atEquest. Sherry Knoopers, GRCC Nursing Advisor was morethan pleased with the effort of students and the experienceof working in a non-traditional medical atmosphere. Equestinstructors and volunteers were thrilled to have extra helpinghands and to show how therapeutic riding works!REAL MEN makegreat sidewalkers!Keep up to date atwww.equestcenter.orgFeatures include: Calendar of Events Therapeutic Riding Program and VolunteerInformation (download forms) Summer Horsemanship Day Camp (includingforms available for download) Information on all of our Equine Therapists Wish List Online Newsletters Much MoreYOU CAN DONATE SECURELY ON OUR WEBSITE!If you want to make a donation or are interested in volunteering, CALL EQUEST AT 616-866-30663
A Vision Becomes Reality.Over the past 20 years Equest Center for TherapeuticRiding has touched the lives of thousands of childrenand their families. Horseback riding transportsmany handsone visionindividuals with special needs into a new, unexploredworld providing a sense of independence and freedom that defiesdisabilities. When riding, individuals escape their braces, crutches,wheelchairs and disabilities, replacing them with the gentle gait ofa well-trained horse.In 2007, Equest Center forTherapeuticRidingstartedbrainstorming on what would laterbe the Many Hands - One Vision CapitalCampaign, to position it self for thefuture and to meet demand for itsservices. The campaign proposed 992,000of improvements, enhancements and aland purchase. These improvements willboth improve the quality of experienceas well as expand capacity to meetservice demand.Equest Center’s Many Hands-One VisionCampaign includes 4 major components: Improvements to the riding arena andstallareaincludephysical improvementsas well as an additionwithappropriatehandicapped accessiblebathroomsandimproved ventilationthroughoutthebuilding. These improvements will providea more comfortable experience for ridersand horses as well as allowing Equest toserve a larger number of clients with moresevere health and mobility needs. The purchase of nearly eleven acres ofabandoned land adjacent to the currentfacility will allow Equest to obtain sevenmore horses for the program as well as4 additional land for our Sensory RidingTrail and Carriage Driving program track.These improvements will allow EquestCenter to double its capacity, serving anadditional 140 riders per week.The development and implementationof a Carriage Driving program. Usinga horse and carriage gives participantsan alternative or an addition to riding,opening up the world of horses to thosewho may be unable to ride due to weight,balance, fatigue, fear of heights, theinability to sit astride, or other issues.Equest Center’s new Sensory Trail will offerenhanced therapeutic options- especiallyfor the many individuals suffering fromSensory Processing Disorder.Many Hands One Vision CommitteeEileen DeVries, Honorary Co-ChairStar Meijer, Honorary Co-ChairWendy Gerber, Honorary Co-ChairRachel DeVries, Committee ChairpersonBeth Spica, MemberMaggie Lancaster, MemberLori “Maranda” Cook, MemberLucienne Lightfoot, MemberJeff Ott, MemberKim Boyer, MemberKevin Kuske, MemberIf you want to make a donation or are interested in volunteering, CALL EQUEST AT 616-866-3066
Original photographs by Joe Mercier-Mercier Graphicshank you!Sponsors for the Horsin Around at the Derby:Presenting Sponsor: Meijer, - Northern Cross Foundation, - Double M FarmTriple Crown Sponsor: Merrill Lynch Wealth Management - The DeVries, Freeburg & Mraz Group, - ApplauseWarner, Norcross & Judd llc, - Hansen Balk Steel Treating Company - Centennial Securities,Belmont Sponsor:Mike and Rachel MrazA heartfelt Thank you to our guests and planning committee for helping continue the Winning Tradition at Equest Center!If you want to make a donation or are interested in volunteering, CALL EQUEST AT 616-866-30665
The Equest StaffKathy RyanExecutiveDirectorMarci DeVriesEquine ProgramCoordinator,InstructorJessica ShelnerVolunteerCoordinatorInstructorAngela Taylor Kelly WujkowskiOffice Manager Client ProgramCoordinatorInstructorJan ParkerInstructorJennifer Baniukaitis Jen ReedShelly FoxLaura DeRivera Sr Ann FrancisLiz TanisInstructorAssistant EquineInstructorThompson FSE Physical Therapist, Assistant EquineProgram Coordinator/Program Coordinator,InstructorMusic Therapist/InstructorInstructorInstructorPlease visit www.equestcenter.org for our schedule ofactivities and events and our wish list (gifts-in-kind)61st Dist. Ct. OverdueGroup360 Degrees9/20 Sign SystemsA Charmed LifeA Ga Ming Golf ResortAAA Canoe RentalAda Hospital For AnimalsAdams, AngelaAdams, Tom and AudreyAdyniec HouseholdAetna Foundation PartnersIn Community GivingAgar, Jeff and BeckiAidif, Ron and KristenAlberts, CheriAlgoma Sunshine CircleAllen, JamieAllen, KellyAmon, Esther and RichardAmwayAnderson Keegin &Associates, Inc.Anderson, AletaAnderson, Scott andBarbaraAndis Company, Inc.Andro, SarahApple Hill Adult FosterCare, LLCArlington ParkAupperlee, DavidAutomation Ideas, Inc.Bailey, Dean and JanetBaldwin FoundationBarbee, ChrisBardins, SusanBarger, JanBarkalow, MadelineBarnabas FoundationBarnes, Chris & DoreenBarnes, JaniceBarnikow, Mark and TinaBartman, Cindy and BradBassford, BridgetteBattershall, StephanieBaudville, INCBaumann, Diane andDouglasBDO Seidman, LLPBeasley, KarenBechtel, MehganBeck, MarcellaBeineman, BarbaraBennett, Eric and AnitaBentley, JeanneBergman, Craig and LauraBerry, Michael and DianeBesser Family TrustBest DumpsterBest, Michael and MarilynBeukema, Joyce & BruceBeute, JanetBevins, David and JulieBissell, Vicki and MatthewBit Of Britain Tack ShopBlacklidge, Ted andGabrieleBlake, MontaBoggs, Jeffrey and BestyBond, Robert & JanBondy, Laura and RobBosserd, Jim & JaneBott, Jerry and TerriBotts, William andCatherineBovee, AhmeBovee, Todd and GinaBow Dacious DesignsBowler, GeraldineBowman, AnneBoyd, WilliamBraden, Eddie and PatriciaBrand, Pete and AmandaBraunschneider, DarleneBreitfield, Kenneth andPamelaBristol, Brenda and Ruid,KathyBroadway Grand RapidsBrod, Terrence & RuthBroersma, Marlin and KarlaBron, Carolien andConstansBronkema, JulieBrown, RobertBrown, RobertBruce, HeatherBruinsma, ThomasBrys Estate VineYard &WineryBuist ElectricBukrey, JulieBulkowski, Karen andWalterBunbury, BarbaraBunn, Joan and MarvinBurkhart, Fred andKathleenBurkhart, MaryBurns, David and MaryBush, Julius and JacquelynButh, Dirk and LisaCabot CreameryCooperativeCaldon, EmilyCameron, John Jr and AnnCampbell, Donald andDeniseCampbell, Linda and GaryCapital Area UnitedWay IncCedar Springs Mill &SupplyCentennial SecuritiesChalex CorporationChandler, JohnChase, RobynChase, Ruth AnnChatman, MaryCheersCheff, MargaretCheff, Margaret I.Chesser, LyndaChildren’s MuseumChiroHealth of RockfordChoate, OliviaChristensen, Theo andSharonChvala, MichelleClark, DavidClay For Kids FoundationClemenshaw, MarilynClements, Timothy andDeborahClink, William and VirginiaClinthorne, James and MaryClipper Belt LacerCompanyCoca Cola Bottling Co.Cochran, SarahCok, Donald and JaniceCole, BillCole, SusanColor House GraphicsColwill, John and KathyCook, Ron and LoriCordes, Andrea &ChristopherCormier, Louise and GuyCorwin, PhilCountry VineyardCoutchie, Ch
Grooming program Music Therapy on Horseback Horses and Hands Program . of 20 Grand Rapids Community College LPN . . Equest. Sherry Knoopers, GRCC Nursing Advisor was more th
