Our Guest Speakers this morning were Pat Fornier & Shelly Pope of Shepard Meadows
Pat is on the President of board of directors of Shepard Meadows. Previously she worked at the Bristol Hospital.
Pat began as a volunteer and worked her way up at the Meadows.
Shelly Pope commutes from NY. She had an interesting carrier and now finds satisfaction in working for Shepard Meadows!
- Did you know there are only 6 theraputic riding centers in CT – many may know of High Hopes
- Began in 2005
- Therapy of this kind began in Europe
- Did you know...horses are unique – they can read you – read your emotions – if you are non-verbal – you can communicate with them
- This is a premier center – all instructors are certified
- 8 horses at Shepard Meadows -2 new horses this year 2 retired
- High cost in running center
- Started program yesterday
- Outside and covered ring
- 100 volunteers at a time – 5 staff members – feeding and tending to heard
- All are welcome to volunteer – muck – need more fundraiser volunteer
- planning a fundraiser lunch in the spring
- April – fundraiser at firefly – Daniel Zaken – send flier out
- Try to do fundraiser 1X per month
- Dream to have arena enclosed
- All are welcome to volunteer – muck – need more fundraiser volunteer
- Must be 4 years old – majority 10 years old
Questions:
How long are sessions? 8 weeks in spring – 2 y week in summer – private and group lessons – mounted and unmounted – over 180 can’t ride but work one on one with an instructor. Recently received a grant from Main Street Community Foundation for an 8 weeks class - CT republic will come ride
What is the process to volunteer? fill out an application – come and work for a day
Positive comments:
Lee – Claudettes grandson is autistic - he tool part in the program 1 year ago and they have seen lasting changes - amazing!
Vist: https://www.shepardmeadows.org/programs/ to find out more