Category Archives: Equine Assisted Therapy

Therapy Horse Magic Inducted into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame

Photos courtesy of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses.

Gainesville, FL (February 22, 2014) — Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses has received a national honor with the induction of therapy horse Magic into the United States Equestrian Federation and EQUUS Foundation Horse Stars Hall of Fame for 2015. Magic was inducted at the EQUUS Foundation’s Fete Coeval Etoile on Friday, February 20 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. The Horse Stars Hall of Fame was established by the USEF and EQUUS Foundation to celebrate the extraordinary talent of horses and their magical and powerful bond with people.

Magic was honored as a humanitarian for having a life changing and inspirational impact on the public. From helping children and first responders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT to child trafficking victims in Washington, D.C. and tornado survivors in Moore, OK, Magic brings her special love where it is needed most. She visits children’s hospitals across the country.

When Magic is not traveling she has a one of a kind partnership with the University of Florida Health Shands Rehab Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, an acute hospital for patients who have suffered strokes, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations and burns. Magic works with occupational, speech and physical therapists as part of the treatment team. She has inspired patients in the therapy gym to reach out their arms for the first time and helped patients who are learning how to use adaptive equipment like walkers and wheelchairs. She even demonstrates rehab training stairs and ramps. Magic has worked with patients who have stood or walked for the very first time since their accidents or surgeries. Therapists have seen exceptional progress and motivation with patients teamed with the little horse.

Magic2Working indoors would be a challenge for any horse but Magic makes it look easy. She walks up and down stairs, rides in elevators, walks on unusual floor surfaces, carefully moves around hospital equipment, works in small rooms and handles unexpected sounds like ambulances, alarms and hospital helicopters… and yes she is house trained. Every hospital is different and when Magic enters a new hospital she does not get a practice run. She must be comfortable walking through the door and crowds of people with her trainer no matter what new sights and sounds she encounters on the way.

The inductees were featured in a video and photo gallery accompanied by stories of their achievements.

Owners of the honored horses arrived from around the country. Therapy horse Magic attended the ceremony and met with fans and guests indoors during dinner and events. She also played with Harry de Leyer, owner and trainer of the famous Snowman (Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse Who Inspired a Nation) after the ceremony. Both Magic and Snowman were inducted into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame. “I will never forget you, Magic,” Mr. de Leyer told the little horse.

Magic’s other honors include:

One of History’s 10 Most Courageous Animals – Time Magazine

Most Heroic Pet in America – AARP

A Reader’s Digest/Americantowns Power of One Hero

One of the 10 Most Heroic Animals of 2010 – Newsweek/The Daily Beast

2014 Winner of the E. T. York Distinguished Service Award

A children’s park in Greece named after Magic and dedicated by former Prime Minister of Greece, Kostas Karamanlis

One of Seven Most Notable Animal Heroes in the World – UK’s The Daily Mirror 2014

Featured in 125 True Stories of Amazing Pets – National Geographic Kids 2014

Featured in her own book, The Power of Magic – DT Publishing Group/New York, 2014

Magic and Gentle Carousel partner Hamlet immortalized with their own 2014 Breyer Portrait Horse Models.

For more information about Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses:
www.facebook.com/therapyhorses
www.horse-therapy.org

Six Goal Polo Player Sugar Erskine Joins Horses Healing Hearts as Polo Ambassador

Wellington, FL – January 16, 2015 – Horses Healing Hearts (HHH) is the only non-profit organization in the country that provides an equine facilitated learning program designed to help children dealing with addiction in their homes. Now, the national organization is proud to announce that the internationally successful six-goal polo player Sugar Erskine has joined the growing nonprofit organization as their second Polo Ambassador. His first action as an HHH Ambassador will be co-chairing the 2015 Hope through Horses Golf Tournament alongside Lisa Jacquin this February 23, 2015, at The Wanderers Club in Wellington, Florida.

HHH teaches empowerment and life-coping skills, and the organization helps children build self-confidence by learning about horse care and riding. Each week, over 50 children are served from the greater Palm Beach County community.

The organization’s mission hit close to the heart with Erskine, who had no difficulty in recognizing the potential struggles that can take place in a home with addiction. His own triumphs over addiction have led him to want to give back to children who may be struggling due to their home environment.

“I couldn’t find a better way for me to do justice to what I did. That’s the way I see it. Now it’s up to me to give [the organization] the attention it needs and the respect it deserves. If that’s the service I’m able to do in this world, that’s something,” said Erskine. “Being able to give [the children] a little bit of hope if they see my story, or my idea, or the way it was, they can have a little bit of hope that it can change for them as well. It can be something that they can at least have a dream about.”

The unique approach the 501(c)3 charitable organization takes by educating through horses really stood out to Erskine, since many of the children who become involved in the program have very little exposure to horses prior to joining. Without a background in horses, many of the children come in with a limited understanding of their behavior, but they are quickly able to relate to the connections the horses and humans make.

“Just the fact that we have the horses there to learn from is a huge part. I always talk about the horses, but that’s because I’m so involved in them. When they see that connection with the horse, it’s real – that’s the glue that binds us all together when we’re there,” Erskine described.

Erskine is very excited about co-chairing the golf tournament, which is one of his other passions. Jacquin breathed life to the event last spring after becoming HHH’s first Show Jumping Ambassador, and Erskine has pledged to help get other players involved in this charity event. This fundraiser will complement HHH’s other major function, the Fourth Annual White White West Party, which will be held on February 20, 2015.

“I love golf; I’m a fanatic. I’m useless at it, which is the worst part!” laughed Erskine. “I’m trying to organize the sponsors and the players; all of us polo players all kind of do favors for each other, and there were a lot of people who were there to support me during my time of need, so I know that they will support an organization I feel such a connection to. HHH hits pretty close to home for me, so it’s not a hard thing for me to talk about or be involved with.”

Lizabeth Olszewski founded Horses Healing Hearts as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization in September 2009 in Wellington, Florida. To help Horses Healing Hearts with donations of time or money, or to learn more, visit www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Liz Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org or call (561) 713-6133.

Media Contact: Kendall Bierer
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
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Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding to Hold Screening of Award Winning Film “Riding My Way Back”

Lexington, VA – October 22, 2014 – Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center is pleased to announce a screening of “Riding My Way Back.” The new award winning, short documentary about the powerful healing of therapeutic riding for a veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury will be screened at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. in the Horse Center’s Mezzanine. Tickets are available for $5.00 at the door with proceeds benefiting Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center. Light refreshments will be provided.

“Riding My Way Back” chronicles one soldier’s journey back from the brink of suicide. In 2010, Staff Sergeant Aaron Heliker returned from multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At his most desperate and isolated, on 42 medications and feeling suicidal, Heliker is introduced to the unlikeliest of saviors: a horse named Fred. Through caring for Fred, Heliker begins the difficult process of reconnecting to those around him and healing the invisible wounds of war that nearly defeated him.

Producers and directors, Oscar Nominee Robin Fryday, Peter Rosenbaum, and Richie Goldman, have launched an ambitious program: the Riding My Way Back Film Project. Engaging the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH International) centers nationwide the film will be screened at riding centers, universities and mental health centers simultaneously during Veteran’s Week 2014. While “Riding My Way Back” had its premiere at the GI Film Festival 2014 in May of this year and won The Founders’ Choice Award, the producers of the film are looking at Veteran’s Week 2014 as their national launch, premiering the movie at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., and at over 75 Equine Centers across the country.

For more information on Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.hoof-beats.com or call 540-464-3337.

To learn more about “Riding My Way Back”, go to www.ridingmywayback.com.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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EQUUS Foundation to Reward PATH Intl. Equine of the Year

Mr Wise Guy, 2013 PATH International Equine of the Year.

WESTPORT, CT – October 22, 2014 – The suspense is building for the announcement of the 2014 PATH Intl. Equine of the Year, which will be chosen from the 11 PATH Intl. Region Equine winners. The EQUUS Foundation is sponsoring the award, which will be presented on Friday, October 31, 2014 at the PATH Intl. Conference in San Diego, California.

“We are so pleased to have the opportunity to honor the equine that best defines the heart and soul of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT),” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President. “The recipients personify the willingness, attitude and diversity of talents that these hard-working partners bring to EAAT and all it stands for.”

The recipient will not only be honored by PATH Intl. but also inducted into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame, a joint program of the EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), which celebrates extraordinary talent of horses and their magical bond with people. The EQUUS Foundation will also award a $1,000 grant to an equine charity on its Equine Welfare Network selected by the owner of the recipient.

Learn more about the past recipients of the PATH Intl. Equine of the Year Award here.

About EQUUS Foundation

The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, enabling the therapeutic use of horses for those in need, fostering the horse-human bond, and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.

About PATH Intl.: The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) was formed in 1969 to promote equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. At 852 member centers, more than 58,000 children and adults find a sense of independence through involvement with horses. These member centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several certified instructors and licensed therapists. In addition to therapeutic equitation, a center may offer any number of equine-assisted activities including hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work or stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. There are nearly 53,000 volunteers, 4,544 instructors, 7,733 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. centers. To learn more about PATH Intl. and how the power of the horse changes lives, please visit www.pathintl.org.

Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
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Horse Around at the “Horses Helping People” Family Resource Day

Photo courtesy of Personal Ponies Ltd., Inc.

Mark Your Calendar for October 5, 2014

WELLINGTON, FL – September 17, 2014 – The first of its kind “Horses Helping People” Family Resource Day will be held on October 5, 2014 for the children and families in southeast Florida to experience the positive impact of the horse-human bond up close and personal.

From 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the community is welcome to directly connect with the recreational and therapeutic facilities in Palm Beach County offering horseback riding and equine assisted activities and have the chance to win riding lessons and other products and services donated by exhibitors.

“Horsing Around” activities include demonstrations of dressage by International Dressage Rider Marco Bernal, polo by Palm City Polo, and reining by the cowboys of Steed Training. “Horse Health” will be a topic covered by the Palm Beach Equine Clinic, and Personal Ponies will have its specially trained Miniature Shetland ponies on hand.

In addition to “horsing” around, there will be arts and crafts, ìHair Chalking by Spazio Salon with HairChalk by L’oreal Professional. Tasty treats are being donated by Visiting Angels of SE Florida.

This FREE event, sponsored by the EQUUS Foundation and American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY), will be held, rain or shine, in the covered Van Kampen Arena thanks to the support and generosity of the Van Kampen Boyer Molinari Foundation. The Arena is located on the grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center at 13500 South Shore Boulevard in Wellington Florida.

Space is still available for recreational and therapeutic riding programs who wish to exhibit at the event. For more information about the event, sponsorship, and clinic registration, contact Abbi Bentz at (561) 789-6076 or email abentz@visitingangels.com.

The EQUUS Foundation and the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) are working together to connect caregiving youth across the United States to the more than 800 equine charities on the Foundation’s Equine Welfare Network.

About EQUUS Foundation

The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, enabling the therapeutic use of horses for those in need, fostering the horse-human bond, and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.

About American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY)

AACY’s mission is to increase awareness about the effects on children who provide care for family members who are ill, injured, elderly and/or disabled. AACY’s model program, the Caregiving Youth Project (CYP), works in partnership with the School District of Palm Beach County and currently serves more than 500 caregiving youth and their families in eight area middle schools and 17 high schools. AACY programs are aimed at reducing anxiety and depression and increasing the caregiving children’s satisfaction with life and the ability to remain in school through the provision of counseling, education, and support services including respite and sponsored activities. Contact AACY at 1515 N. Federal Hwy, Suite 218, Boca Raton, FL 33432,; Tele: 561-391-7401; 800-725-2512; E-Mail: info@aacy.org, Website: www.aacy.org.

Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
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Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

Relationships are our biggest source of pleasure, and conversely, our biggest source of pain. Horses are pretty clear about our relationships. We have a hierarchy that we firmly establish whenever we meet someone new. We posture and make a lot of noise trying to intimidate each other. Once we’ve decided who is dominant, we usually leave it at that. The dominate horse picks where he or she wants to be, and the subservient horse moves from our space. We rarely fight beyond that.

Human beings are not so simple. You have such incredibly complicated relationships! We horses notice and are amazed by how confusing your interactions tend to be. Often you humans don’t say what you really mean. You bury your real feelings under flowery words you don’t really believe, and you project your fears and unhappiest thoughts onto each other as though you think that will rid yourself of them.

We find this confusing and sad. We know this inner conflict is the source of much of your pain. Often human beings are incongruent in their actions when compared to their thoughts. You don’t know how to deal with your true feelings. Horses can sense that. It’s why we are now being used in psychotherapy. We can tell when you’re not being congruent or honest with yourself. When we feel it, we react to you in a different way and reflect back to you with honesty what you’re really feeling, not what you’re trying to project.

If you’re one of those who’s lost touch with your inner self, we can help you find yourself again. Let us be your guide. If your horse is acting strangely with you, such as he won’t let you catch him, or acts uncharacteristically nervous, check in with your own thoughts and notice what you are feeling. Are you stressed? Are you unhappy? Notice what’s going on inside your body. Perhaps your horse is mirroring your inner turmoil. Instead of thinking that it’s your horse who has an issue, perhaps it’s time to make sure your inner feelings are not projecting some kind of distress your horse can feel.

If you are interested in equine assisted psychotherapy, check out some of these websites: www.TouchedbyaHorse.com, www.equineenergetix.com, or Google “equine assisted psychotherapy”. This is a relatively new field, and one worth investigating. If you’re looking for a new career with horses, perhaps you and your horse can learn to help others from the inside out!

After all, horses aren’t just for riding! We’re your friends, and we want to support you.

Love, Moshi

From Indy:

Geoffrey, my friend with the curly hair, wouldn’t race with me. He said he would much rather have a wrestling contest instead. I agreed, and we asked Moshi to officiate. Moshi’s not crazy about our noisy play, but he said he would do it.

Geoffrey is stronger than he looks! He pinned me several times. I pinned him too, but Moshi said Geoffrey won the contest. I wanted to argue, but then realized that Moshi was probably right. I decided I wanted to be a good sport. So even though I was disappointed, I congratulated Geoffrey and let him know he did a great job. Then we went for a swim and played together for the rest of our time at the barn. We had a lot of fun.

IndyI really do like Geoffrey. He is my best dog friend. I was honest with him that I was disappointed that I lost our game, but I was also happy for him that he won. That’s a sign of true friendship… when you’re happy about your friend’s successes. Geoffrey really appreciated my honest respect.

Jane told me later that she was proud of me. That made me feel really good. Sometimes we need to hear things like that. So, if you’re a mom or a boss or a big sister, maybe you could tell your child, employee, or little sister that you’re proud of them. Let them know that you appreciate them for who they are and what they mean to the family or the company. It’s like food for the soul. We all need a little of that now and then.

I think YOU are just wonderful! Thank you for reading my inspirational side dishes, and thank you for being Jane’s and my friend. Without you to share my thoughts with, I’d be just another dog.

Love, Indy

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

A Teacher’s Last Gift – Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses

Nadine Tull was a wonderful teacher. She loved her students and she loved horses.

Ms. Tull first met a team of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses at a program in Ocala, Florida seven years ago and dreamed of someday bringing the tiny horses to her school. Two years ago Ms. Tull started writing and calling Gentle Carousel. She also attended Gentle Carousel’s Reading Is Magic library programs and talked to the volunteers about her dream.

As a teacher she was very touched that her favorite therapy horse Magic had comforted school children after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and after the tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma.

This year her school, Dunnellon Elementary School, had a goal of earning 6,000 Accelerated Reader points by the middle of the year. The students were told that if they met their goal, Ms. Tull would ask the horses from Gentle Carousel to join them in a celebration. Ms. Tull gave each teacher in her school a fictional book about horses to read to their students. She put up posters of Gentle Carousel horses on the school cafeteria walls and in her classroom. A fellow teacher even wrote a song called “Welcome to the Magical Land of Reading” and it was made into a DVD to send to Gentle Carousel with the invitation.

Blaze300fFBThe school’s media specialist decorated the library in an equine theme, including a display with saddle, bridle, toy horses and posters of Gentle Carousel horses. Each week, the school principal announced how many AR points the school had earned. By January 15, 2014, the students had earned 10,000 points – far surpassing their goal.

Because of the students’ hard work and Ms. Tull’s persistence, Gentle Carousel agreed to bring their reading program and horses to the school. The students continued reading and earned 17,000 AR points, more than they ever had ever earned before. They even set a goal to reach an amazing 20,000 points by the end of the school year.

The week finally came that the horses were going to visit Ms. Tull’s school. Ms. Tull called Gentle Carousel to say how excited she was that the plans had all worked out and the students would finally meet the horses she had loved for so long. She was especially happy that her favorite horse Magic was going to visit her classroom after the reading program to work on a project with her students. Ms. Tull had spent time with Magic just the week before at a library program.

But to the surprise of the school staff, Ms. Tull, who lived alone, did not come to school or call the Monday before the horses were to arrive. It was something she would never do. Her principal and two teachers went to her home to check on her. They found that Ms. Tull had passed away while she was sleeping.

Blaze300aFBGentle Carousel’s Reading Is Magic program came to the school yesterday to honor Ms. Tull. Therapy horse Magic’s job changed and she was now there to comfort the students after the loss of a much loved teacher. She met each student in the school and then visited Ms. Tull’s classroom to spend more time with her students.

Ms. Tull did not see her dream take place but her final act as a teacher was to arrange the love of a therapy horse to be with her students when they needed it the most. The students lost their teacher but the great lessons she taught them will always be part of their lives.

“The children have fallen in love with reading this year and I know it is because they want to see the beautiful miniature horses of Gentle Carousel. Thank you for making our dream come true.” – Ms. Tull (from a note she wrote two days before she passed away)

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses
www.Horse-Therapy.org
www.facebook.com/TherapyHorses

Tomorrow Horses Healing Hearts Needs You for the Great Give PBC

24 Hour Online Donation
Visit:
http://greatgivepbc.org/#npo/horses-healing-hearts-inc

Donations:
$500 – Provides four group lessons for the children
$150 – Provides a month of snacks for 35 children
$75 – Provides the children an opportunity to work with a group facilitator
$50 – Provides a child with a protective riding helmet
Minimum donation of $10

Imagine being able to help Children of Alcoholics and Addicts feel the love of a horse for a year, learning about themselves and coping with emotions that come unhinged as the horse shows them the way. For only $2,000 a child, Horses Healing Hearts’ dream of helping becomes a reality. Donate on tomorrow by clicking here.

This May 6, 2014, the Great Give PBC will celebrate 100 years of giving, and your favorite charity, Horses Healing Hearts, is part of the 24-hour online donation extravaganza. To donate to HHH, please visit http://greatgivepbc.org/#npo/horses-healing-hearts-inc.

Led by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Countries and the United Way of Palm Beach County, the Great Give PBC is designed to raise as much money as possible for local nonprofits in a single day. This community-wide event will celebrate the spirit of giving and the collective effort it takes to strengthen the community by raising critical funds. Horses Healing Hearts is thrilled to take part in this event, and is asking for your support on beginning at midnight on May 6.

Your passion will be heard on the fateful 24-hour Great Give PBC day. Although there are hundreds of programs, Horses Healing Hearts (HHH) is the only one of its kind! In September 2009, Lizabeth Olszewski of Wellington, FL, founded HHH, and in the last five years, the organization has blossomed while raising awareness and funds to help ease the pain of children of addiction. Horse Healing Hearts provides these children with the opportunity to help heal emotionally by working with horses while having fun and learning positive life-coping skills, responsibility and confidence. Using equine experiential learning, HHH is the only program in the nation that works with the specific demographic of children of alcoholics and addicts. Horses help them understand life, themselves and how to cope with their parent’s addiction to substance abuse.

Whether your donation is large or small, every cent counts. If each person could donate $15, think of the difference you could make. The minimum donation is $10. Your donation will help pay for equipment, lessons and the assistance of a child facilitator. HHH touches hundreds of lives a year, and they need your help making a difference.

Every local donation will be amplified with bonus dollars raised by the Community Foundation. This unique event inspires philanthropy throughout the community, raises important dollars for community good, and keeps the good going. Visit www.GreatGivePBC.org for more information about how you can help Horses Healing Hearts or click here to make a contribution. Share this event with your friends, and help Horses Healing Hearts promote the crucial 24-hour Great Give this May 6, 2014. With over 240,000 charities, we need you!

Horses Healing Hearts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children of alcoholics and substance abuse through equine experiential learning. To learn more about Horses Healing Hearts or how you can help with donations of money or time, visit www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Liz Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org or call (561) 713-6133.

Media Contact: Kendall Bierer
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Save the Date! May 6, 2014 Horses Healing Hearts Needs You for the Great Give PBC

Wellington, FL – April 14, 2014 – Imagine being able to help Children of Alcoholics and Addicts feel the love of a horse for a year, learning about themselves and coping with emotions that come unhinged as the horse shows them the way. For only $2,000 a child, Horses Healing Hearts’ dream of helping becomes a reality. Donate on May 6 by clicking here.

This May 6, 2014, the Great Give PBC will celebrate 100 years of giving, and your favorite charity, Horses Healing Hearts, is part of the 24-hour online donation extravaganza. To donate to HHH, please visit http://greatgivepbc.org/#npo/horses-healing-hearts-inc.

Led by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Countries and the United Way of Palm Beach County, the Great Give PBC is designed to raise as much money as possible for local nonprofits in a single day. This community-wide event will celebrate the spirit of giving and the collective effort it takes to strengthen the community by raising critical funds. Horses Healing Hearts is thrilled to take part in this event, and is asking for your support on beginning at midnight on May 6.

Your passion will be heard on the fateful 24-hour Great Give PBC day. Although there are hundreds of programs, Horses Healing Hearts (HHH) is the only one of its kind! In September 2009 Lizabeth Olszewski of Wellington, FL founded HHH, and in the last five years, the organization has blossomed while raising awareness and funds to help ease the pain of children of addiction. Horse Healing Hearts provides these children with the opportunity to help heal emotionally by working with horses while having fun and learning positive life-coping skills, responsibility and confidence. Using equine experiential learning, HHH is the only program in the nation that works with the specific demographic of children of alcoholics and addicts.  Horses help them understand life, themselves and how to cope with their parents’ addiction to substance abuse.

A one-time donation of $500 will provide four group lessons for the children for a Saturday session. $150 will pay for a month of food for 35 children to snack on during group activities, and after their riding lessons. A $75 donation will provide the children the opportunity to work with a group facilitator to discuss their home life, feelings and have a safe place to disclose. For only $50 you could give a child a protective riding helmet.

Whether your donation is large or small, every cent counts. The minimum donation is $10. Your donation will help pay for equipment, lessons and the assistance of a child facilitator.  HHH touches hundreds of lives a year, and they need your help making a difference.

Every local donation will be amplified with bonus dollars raised by the Community Foundation. This unique event inspires philanthropy throughout the community, raises important dollars for community good, and keeps the good going. Visit www.GreatGivePBC.org for more information about how you can help Horses Healing Hearts or click here to make a contribution. Share this event with your friends, and help Horses Healing Hearts promote the crucial 24-hour Great Give this May 6, 2014. With over 240,000 charities, we need you!

Horses Healing Hearts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children of alcoholics and substance abuse through equine experiential learning. To learn more about Horses Healing Hearts or how you can help with donations of money or time, visit www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Liz Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org or call (561) 713-6133.

Media Contact: Kendall Bierer
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Decorated Olympic Medalist Lisa Jacquin Joins Horses Healing Hearts as Show Jumping Ambassador

Lisa Jacquin and Chapel Z at the 2014 Winter Equestrian Festival. Double K Photography.

Wellington, FL – April 3, 2014 – Horses Healing Hearts (HHH) is the first non-profit organization of its kind, easing the pain of kids growing up in a home with substance abuse through the healing powers of horses. There are more than 28 million children of alcoholics, but HHH is the only organization that brings their smiles into full fruition each week by joining them with both the gentle giants and mentors. The inspirational national non-profit organization is proud to announce that two-time Olympic Silver Medalist Lisa Jacquin has joined Horses Healing Hearts as their second Show Jumping Ambassador.

In September 2009, Lizabeth Olszewski of Wellington, FL founded HHH, and in the last five years, the organization has blossomed while raising awareness and funds to help ease the pain of children of addiction. Horse Healing Hearts provides these children with the opportunity to help heal emotionally by working with horses while having fun and learning positive life-coping skills, responsibility and confidence. Using equine experiential learning, HHH is the only program in the nation that works with the specific demographic of children of alcoholics and addicts.  Horses help them understand life, themselves and how to cope with their parents’ addiction to substance abuse.

“I grew up with the understanding that you should help people,” Jacquin said. “My mother was very involved on a very deep level with non-profit organizations, and it stuck with me through life. I do a lot of work with smaller charities in Pennsylvania, but now that I am in Wellington for an extended time, Horses Healing Hearts seemed like the perfect fit. There are a lot of different entities in the horse world, but I feel as though HHH really brings them all together.”

Born in Arizona, Jacquin began riding at an early age. She was fortunate enough to train with top rider Kay Love while competing as a junior, and later furthered her riding while attending college in California. After graduating she packed her bags and moved her tack trunk to the East Coast where she trained with Michael Matz, providing her with the ideal set up for the brilliant career ahead.

Jacquin is a decorated show jumper, who rode show jumping’s most beloved thoroughbred, For The Moment, to the career of a lifetime. For The Moment became one of the most successful American Thoroughbreds to ever compete, holding his own in a time when European Warmbloods were dominating. Jacquin partnered with the bay gelding in 1981, taking him on as a ride until something better came along.

Lisa Jacquin and For the Moment. Cammett Photography.
Lisa Jacquin and For the Moment. Cammett Photography.

Although at first she was unimpressed, For The Moment eventually won her heart. She persevered through his difficult personality, and in 1983 entered him in his first major event. Their first win was the beginning to a very long and exciting show jumping career.

“For The Moment was a racehorse that I purchased as a 7-year-old. He was not a great racehorse, but I bought him and brought him along through the ranks,” Jacquin recounted. “He was difficult and very headstrong, but he was the epitome of a show horse. He was small and kind of scrawny; nobody thought much of him. He had a heart of gold though. When he walked in the ring he was a winner. He was difficult in the barn, on the flat, and had some hang-ups, but he was a show horse, and every time the gate opened you could count on him.”

In 1987, Jacquin helped the U.S. Show Jumping Team take home a Silver Medal at the Pan American Games with For The Moment. They continued on to win a then record six grand prix events, including the prestigious Budweiser American Invitational in 1988. The pair also placed third in the FEI World Cup Finals in Paris, France later that year.

The highlight of their partnership came in 1988 when For The Moment, with Jacquin in the irons, helped the U.S. Show Jumping Team capture the Team Silver Medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea. They returned to the Olympics in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain. For The Moment was named AGA Horse of the Year in 1991 and 1994, and in 1995 he became the oldest horse to ever win a show jumping grand prix at the ripe age of 21 when Jacquin guided him to the victory in the Budweiser AGA Show Jumping Championship in Wellington, FL. In 2006, For The Moment was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, immortalizing his partnership with Jacquin as they took on the world and made numerous contributions to the sport.

Lisa Jacquin and For the Moment
Lisa Jacquin and For The Moment

“There are times in life where we go through change,” Jacquin stated. “He [For The Moment] was my ticket to see what I was capable of accomplishing. The neatest thing about [me and For The Moment] is that we grew together. It was one of those things where he was my life. He trusted me, and I trusted him. You learn so much from a horse, whether you are in the saddle or out of it. They teach you, and you learn about yourself. The same goes for Horses Healing Hearts and the relationship these kids have with the horses.”

Following the natural progression of her time in the spotlight, Jacquin used her knowledge and life in the saddle to become a trainer. She runs BDJ Enterprises out of Coatesville, PA, but the star-studded rider also travels to Wellington for the Winter Equestrian Festival during the fall and winter months. Jacquin finds joy in bringing along young horses, as well as working with children and developing their skills.

“I am really looking forward to getting more and more involved with the kids and Horses Healing Hearts,” Jacquin said. “I hope to put together a golf tournament for next year that will coincide with their White, White West Benefit. There are so many different organizations and charities, and what I want to do is put something together that would bring the show jumping, polo, dressage and horse enthusiasts together to help raise money and raise awareness. Hopefully it could be a large fundraiser for their organization for many years to come.”

Jacquin concluded, “I was fortunate enough to have a very happy childhood, but seeing how involved my parents were in helping children and adults needing to walk down a different road really affected me. With my own time I would like to be able to be hands-on and assist in training some of the kids to ride. I want to be as helpful as I can and bring people into the organization. I think people are already excited and we are well on our way.”

Horses Healing Hearts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children of alcoholics and substance abuse through equine experiential learning. To learn more about Horses Healing Hearts or how you can help with donations of money or time, visit www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Liz Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org or call (561) 713-6133.

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