EATSF-Annual Report 2013

2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Harnessing the Power of Horses
To Improve the Lives of People
Mission
Statement
Equine-Assisted
Therapies of South
Florida is
dedicated to
providing
therapeutic riding
and equine-assisted
activities for special
needs children and
adults so that they
may improve
physically, mentally
and emotionally.
Board of Directors
Anne Vegso
Chairwoman
Thor Barraclough
Vice-Chairman
Stephanie Scheinman
Treasurer
Justine Morgan
Secretary
Chris Davell
Larry Dwyer
Dr. Randy Gershwin
Jason Gordon
Michelle Rubin
Winston Simmonds
Stanley Zeitchick
Staff
Mandy DeBord
Executive Director
Katie Baker
Barn Manager
Cliffette Nicholls
Dear Friends:
The power created when horses and people come together to help
others is nothing short of remarkable.
Horses, of course, do the heavy lifting but without the people who
guide them and who care for them their incredible power to improve
lives would never reach its full potential.
Here at Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida, we are
harnessing that remarkable ability horses have to make a difference
and we’re doing it with new and innovative programs that allow us to
reach more of those in need in our community.
Our new name represents the broader scope of the services we
provide and it comes at a time when our organization is gaining more
and more friends as we are recognized in the community for our success
and for growing stronger financially despite a challenging economic
environment.
Last year, our board created the Meggan Morency Endowment
Fund, our first endowment, made possible by a bequest of more than
$500,000 from the estate of Gretchen Horner.
Our major events – the Horseshoe Hoedown and Wild West
Night – each continue to grow and, combined with our community
outreach programs, enabled us to make many new friends.
We were honored to receive a $100,000 grant from Impact 100
of South Palm Beach County and to have the efforts of several of
our volunteers receive community-wide recognition. Our long-time
friend and supporter, Ray Wolowicz, was a finalist for the
Community Foundation of Broward’s For Good Awards and
youth volunteer Jacob McCullough and my husband, Peter, both
were recognized in Palm Beach County as winners of the Men With
Caring Hearts Awards.
There are many, many others who have helped pave the way for
our successes this year and our sincerest thanks goes out to all of you.
We welcome all of you to come to the barn and watch as we harness the
power of horses to change the lives of people.
Office Manager
Alexis Rossi
Best Regards,
Brittany Abdizadeh
Anne Vegso
Board Chair
Volunteer Manager
Volunteer
Coordinator
2
“Harnessing the Power of Horses“ (954) 974-2007
Thanks to our generous supporters, tireless
volunteers, dedicated staff members and hardworking horses, we at Equine-Assisted Therapies of
South Florida were able to add two innovative new
programs, strengthen several of our therapeutic riding
programs and increase the number of students we
can now serve. With the addition of our equineassisted psychotherapy program and our equinefacilitated learning program, we are now able to
partner with an increased number of other non-profit
organizations and schools. At the same time, we
have expanded our herd for the increasing number
of students we can now serve due to grants and private
contributions.
Here are just a few of our most important
achievements of 2013:
• Expanding Community Partnerships and Awareness
Expanded relationships with corporate partners
and non-profit organizations have led to an increase in valuable in-kind services and to awards
for the organization and its volunteers.
• Enriching Volunteer Experiences – Through
an enhanced summer camp program and regular
training programs, volunteers are learning additional
horsemanship skills while providing essential
assistance to our small staff.
www.EquineATSF.org
with multiple diagnoses
54% Percentage of clients
who are female
10 Number of clients
over 50 years old
15 Average age
64 Number of clients under 18
62 Number of clients on scholarship
Epilepsy 3%
D 3% %
X4
ile
• Growing Financial Resources – The establishment
of the Meggan Morency Endowment Fund and an
increase in grants and private donations strengthened the organization’s long-term and short-term
financial position.
132 Number of clients served this year
63% Percentage of clients
St
rok
e6
%
Mult
ip
Scle le
rosis
6%
Learning
Disability 6%
AD H
• Adding New Programs – Licensed and trained
facilitators are working with staff to bring Equine
Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning
programs to existing and new students.
Our Clients
g
Fra
• Renaming the Organization – The name change
from Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida
to Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida better
reflects the services provided.
By the Numbers...
ure %
Seizorder 6 6%
l
Dis
na
tio
o
Em
De
D e ve l o p
lay m
5% enta
l
Horses Power New and
Enhanced Existing Programs
Autism 24%
Cerebral
Palsy 16%
Down
Syndrome
15%
Our Horses
2 Number of ponies
9 Number of horses
3 Number of rescued horses
2 Number of draft horses
“Harnessing the Power of Horses” 3
A Boy, A Horse and the M
Ari Manevitch – A Rider’s Story
It’s Friday afternoon and Mom and I are on the way to the barn. I want to yell, “Mom,
can’t we get there any faster?” But I’m not really a yeller like my third grade classmates. There
aren’t many other nine year olds that get to ride horses. Of course, there aren’t very many nine
year olds that are like me, either.
My name is Ari Manevitch and I have cerebral palsy. With my diagnosis I have
very tight muscles. I have trouble sitting and holding my head up without support.
That is why I ride, so I can work on seeing all of my family and friends without straining
my eyes!
I have to admit when
my mom first brought me
to the barn, I was unsure
of this huge strong animal and all of the new
people around me. I
thought, “What is she
thinking? Am I really
going to like this?” I love
to swim and bike, but this
was so different.
My horse, Star, quickly
put me at ease and my
physical therapist, Cari,
gave me some tough love
and exercises to get my muscles working.
After each week, my leg and stomach muscles
would get stronger and stronger and soon enough, I
was able to sit up straight. Not only was I able to sit
up on Star, I was also able to sit up at home and at
school! I was getting to be a better rider each week!
At the barn, I am not just learning to ride, I am
building the muscles that I don’t normally use.
After several months of visiting the barn every
Friday, I lifted my head on my own. I saw the trees,
I saw Star’s ears, and my volunteers. Everyone was so
excited and I was beaming!
Star and my volunteers are some of my best
friends. At the end of each lesson, Cari brings me
back over to get tickled by Star’s whiskers, my favorite
part of Friday afternoons.
My dream is to walk by myself one day, and I believe
that with the help of Star, my volunteers and Cari my
dream will come true.
4
“Harnessing the Power of Horses“ (954) 974-2007
Magic of Horse Power
Star – A Horse’s Story
Today is Friday. It isn’t quite the end to my week, but I am very excited to see all of
my young students this afternoon. My name is Star and each week I work with more than
a dozen special-needs students, like my friend, Ari. While everyone is focused on something
different, I always hope that they dismount with the same feeling – confidence.
Some of my students are working on trunk and neck control, while others are striving
to ride independently.
I must admit that my life here at Equine-Assisted Therapies is a spoiled one. I am fed,
bathed at least once a week, trained by my riding
team member, and groomed every day. In fact,
many times, I am groomed more than once a
day by a group of wonderfully caring volunteers. My coat has never been more shiny then
it is now, even in my older age.
At 17, I am no longer the small show horse
I used to be before my job at Equine-Assisted
Therapies. I was cared for by a little girl who
I really loved and we traveled around South
Florida, working in many different show circuits
together. We worked and won ribbons up
until the day she became too tall for me. That
was when she found me my new home as a
therapy horse. I still get to see her when she
comes to volunteer over her long breaks from
college.
I am one of eleven members of our therapeutic
horse herd. I am small enough to work with our
younger, more involved riders in a program called
hippotherapy, a one-on-one lesson with a physical
therapist. I also work with some of the stronger
students to help them learn advanced riding
techniques.
As the senior member of the horse herd, I have
seen many students progress. From watching one
student finally be able to sit on his own to others
experiencing what it is like to canter; to feel the
breeze on their faces for the first time and the
adrenaline of moving so quickly these are unforgettable moments.
At Equine-Assisted Therapies, the magic of
horsepower is helping children and adults every day.
I am proud to be a member of this herd as I look
forward to each of my students succeeding in the
saddle every week.
www.EquineATSF.org
“Harnessing the Power of Horses”
5
Volunteers Making a Difference
for Horses and Riders
Dedicated and caring volunteers are essential to the
success of Equine-Assisted Therapies and make it possible
for the organization to expand the high-quality services
provided to a growing number of children and adults.
In 2013, close to 300 volunteers spent more than
11,000 hours working with our riders and horses or helping with behind-the-scenes efforts. The lifeblood of
Equine-Assisted Therapies, volunteers ensure our horses
are properly cared for and that riders benefit from a safe
and nurturing environment.
Financially, the efforts of volunteers are invaluable.
With each averaging about 40 hours of donated time, the
organization was able to save about $85,000, which is
about 20 percent of the our actual 2013 operating budget.
At Equine-Assisted Therapies, people power, provided
by our staff and volunteers, and horsepower come together
to change lives.
6
Volunteers by the Numbers
of
active volunteers
297 Number
Percentage of
female volunteers 69%
of volunteers
198 Number
under the age of 18
Number of volunteers
64
over the age of 30
number of
11,196 Total
hours donated
Average number hours
donated by volunteer 40
“Harnessing the Power of Horses“ (954) 974-2007
Statement of Financial Position year ending June 30, 2013
Assets
Liabilities and Equity
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents unrestricted 573,682
Cash and Cash Equivalents restricted
Prepaid Insurance
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
OTHER ASSETS
510,000
4,273
1,087,955
Arena
526,979
Barn and Equipment
79,608
Other Assets
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS
287
Accounts Payable
872
Deferred Revenue
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
350,000
350,872
1,343,957
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 1,694,829
606,874
1,694,829
Support and Revenue
• Program fees generate less than 10%
of income
·
·
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Our three annual events generate 17%
of income
100% of the EATSF board donates
treasure, time and talent
Functional Expenses
• Annual cost for EATSF riders $3,500
• 100% of our riders receive the benefit of a
reduced fee schedule
• Therapy horse care expenses average over
$7,000 annually
• 81¢ of every dollar goes into the program
Pre-audit figures as of June 30, 2013
Audit performed by Scott Halperin of Lanzaro and Halperin
www.EquineATSF.org
“Harnessing the Power of Horses” 7
www.EquineATSF.org
Thanks to a boost in horsepower, Equine-Assisted Therapies will be expanding existing
core programming and growing partnerships with other organizations serving children and
adults throughout 2014.
At the same time, the organization is maintaining its focus on community outreach and
on high quality facilities and staff as it expands to serve additional students.
During the early part of the new fiscal year, Equine-Assisted Therapies will add an 11th
horse – possibly a retired thoroughbred affectionately
known as Goose. That horse will make it possible for
more students to participate in therapeutic riding and
hippotherapy programs.
Responding to requests from parents and students,
Equine-Assisted Therapies revamped its class structure
for 2014. As a result, students in group classes will each
now receive a half hour of private lessons every fifth
week, thus helping to improve riding skills and development.
Through partnerships with other organizations,
EATSF will be working with children in area foster care
programs, as well as with adults in residential rehabilitation programs, by providing equineassisted psychotherapy.
Expanding partnerships with local businesses in the area will also be a priority for Equine
Assisted Therapies, which currently is working with volunteers from local companies who
participate in a variety of on-site improvement projects.
The additional horsepower, combined with people power, will help well-position EquineAssisted Therapies for a larger impact as it seeks to improve more lives well into the future.
Growing Partnerships Throughout 2014
Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida
P.O. Box 273542
Boca Raton, FL 33427-3542