The mission of Access Equestrian is to provide the therapeutic benefits of adaptive riding, horsemanship programs and other equine assisted activities to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and other life challenges.
We believe in making a difference, with empathy and humor, to empower our community.
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Our organization provides community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses.
Our organization is directly responsible for the care and shelter of equines involved in our programs.
100% of our total programs and services are horse-related.
Our organization uses satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities which adhere to all the policies, procedures and practices of our organization
Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology
Not Checked: Therapeutic Driving Services
Therapeutic Vaulting Services
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)
Overview of our programs involved with providing EAS to individuals with special needs:
Access Equestrian provides private and group adaptive riding lessons, hippotherapy, horsemanship programs, and other equine-assisted programs for children and adults with disabilities and other life challenges. We are a United States Pony Club licensed Riding Center and a large volunteer program which provides direct horse care and maintaining the grounds, and also serve siblings and other family members.
Community Outreach and/or Public Education:
Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
We are a licensed United States Pony Club Riding center, and provide education and services to youth and adult members. Additionally, we participate in local resource and education fairs/forums within our local area.
Research/Medical Use of Equines:Our organization has never made, and would not ever consider making, equines available for research studies or medical training that involves invasive procedures and/or that which may cause pain or suffering to the equine.
Religious Affiliation:Our organization does not promote religious education, religious purposes, or a specific religious faith or use donations for religious education or religious purposes; require participants to be of a certain faith; require participation in religious, instruction, activities or services; or require participation in prayer, worship, religious instruction or other religious activities as a condition of receiving social or secular services offered.
Auction Donation:Our organization has never allowed, or would not consider allowing, an equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that would cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter.
EQUINE ASSISTED SERVICE PROVIDERS
Equine Assisted Services (EAS):Our organization provides the following Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
Therapeutic Mounted Services
Therapeutic Unmounted Services
Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology
Equine-Assisted Learning involving Academic Learning
Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development
9: Total number of Equine Assisted Service Providers at Access Equestrian - Mt. Kisco
1. Allison Mallozzi
FACILITY PARTICIPATION:
Access Equestrian - Mt. Kisco
RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Therapeutic Mounted Services
Therapeutic Unmounted Services
Equine-Assisted Learning involving Academic Learning
DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
PATH Int'l Registered Instructor, certified/licenses Special Education teacher. Allison is a part-time independent contracted instructor with our program.
2. Dana Avolio
FACILITY PARTICIPATION:
Access Equestrian - Mt. Kisco
RELATIONSHIP: Employee
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Therapeutic Mounted Services
Therapeutic Unmounted Services
DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
Dana is a part-time instructor who is working towards her PATH Int'l CTRI. She also runs our working student program and assists with training of volunteers and keeping our horses fit and schooled.
3. Denise Avolio
FACILITY PARTICIPATION:
Access Equestrian - Mt. Kisco
RELATIONSHIP: Volunteer
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Therapeutic Mounted Services
Therapeutic Unmounted Services
DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
PATH Int'l Advanced Level CTRI, Equine Specialist and Mentor.
Denise has been a horse professional, owner and instructor for 30+ years. She serves as Executive Director and Program Manager and is ultimately responsible for the overall care of the horses in the program.
4. Janet Maurantonio
FACILITY PARTICIPATION:
Access Equestrian - Mt. Kisco
RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology
DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
AHCB Board Certified Clinical Specialist, licensed physical therapist, and AHA Level 2 certified provider. Janet is a part-time independent contractor physical therapist who provides hippotherapy services at our program.
5. Kari DeSimone
FACILITY PARTICIPATION:
Access Equestrian - Mt. Kisco
RELATIONSHIP: Employee
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Therapeutic Unmounted Services
DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
Kari holds an AS degree in Equine Science and is primarily responsible for the care of our horses. She assists in unmounted horsemanship program and is working towards achieving her PATH Int'l ES certification.
6. Kate Hickcox
FACILITY PARTICIPATION:
Access Equestrian - Mt. Kisco
RELATIONSHIP: Employee
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Therapeutic Mounted Services
Therapeutic Unmounted Services
DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
PATH Int'l CTRI.
Kate is a full-time instructor and our Equine Training Coordinator. She is responsible for training and schooling the horses for their use in our adaptive riding program.
7. Megan Sweeney
FACILITY PARTICIPATION:
Access Equestrian - Mt. Kisco
RELATIONSHIP: Volunteer
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Therapeutic Mounted Services
Therapeutic Unmounted Services
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)
DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
Megan is a volunteer part-time instructor who is working towards her PATH Int'l CTRI. She is also a Licensed Social Worker.
POLICIES: ACQUISITION
Our organization acquires horses/equines from the following source(s):
Donation
Lease
Purchase/Adoption from Owner
Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
Auction
Kill pen/Feedlot
Return
Surrender
Seizure
Abandonment
Our organization will accept the following:
Geldings
Mares
Pregnant Mares
Foals
Only Stallions to be castrated
Not Checked:
Stallions
Additional information about our acquisition policies and practices:
We have a few personal and boarded horses on property that belong to the Executive Director, who pays board for their care. One yearling colt, gelding November 2021, and one weanling filly, who resided on property with her dame from Aug 2021 through Nov 2021. Upon weaning the filly remained on property and the dame went temporarily to another farm. She returned to our farm April 2022, where she will remain for duration of 2022.
POLICIES: INTAKE, ASSESSMENT & TRAININING
Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization requires the following with respect to the health status of the horse:
A current Coggins
Vaccination records that have been administered within the last 12 months
If health records are not available or are out-of-date, the owner is responsible for having vaccinations administered.
If health records are not available or are out-of-date, our veterinarian will administer appropriate vaccinations
Not Checked:
A health certificate signed by a veterinarian and dated no more than seven days prior to arrival attesting to the health status of the equine is provided to our organization either prior to or upon arrival of the equine
Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization has the following policies in place:
The owner of a potential equine is interviewed over the phone or in person prior to seeing the equine
The equine is evaluated at its place of residence
The owner completes an application/contract which constitutes the agreement between the owner and our organization
Equines are on trial for up to 30 days
Equines are on trial up to 60 days
Equines are on trial for 60 or more days
The trial period may be reduced based on the equine's progress
During the trial period, the organization accepts total financial responsibility for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care
The trial period may be terminated by either the organization or the owner for any reason
Not Checked:
The owner is financially responsible for the shipping of the equine to and from the organization
Equines are not taken on trial
During the trial period, the organization accepts financial responsibility for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care, up to a fixed amount agreed upon by the organization and the owner
During the trial period, the owner/donor is financially responsible for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care
Following arrival of the equine at the facility, the following is performed:
Physical examination by a veterinarian upon arrival and/or prior to quarantine departure
Physical examination by trained barn staff
Photographs are taken of each equine upon arrival at the facility and kept with the equine's health records
A Henneke Body Conditioning Score or other body conditioning score is assigned
Physical examination by a farrier
Physical examination by a dentist
Coggins test
Blood work other than Coggins
Fecal test
Vaccinations
De-worming
The equine is scanned to check for a microchip
Not Checked:
The equine is microchipped if the scan indicates that there is no microchip
Upon intake, the organization has the following quarantine policy in place:
The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine
at the facility for a prescribed period of time
The equine is not quarantined
Not Checked:
The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine off-site for a prescribed period of time
The typical length of quarantine is:
Up to 10 days
Horses are assessed for following skills and behaviors:
Retrieval from a pasture/paddock
Leading with a halter and lead rope
Temperament, disposition and attitude, such as rated from very calm to very high spirited
Saddling
Bridling
Lunging
Loading onto and unloading off a trailer
Mounting and dismounting
Riding at the walk
Riding at the trot
Riding at the canter
Riding by a beginner and/or unbalanced rider
Jumping
Tolerance to unusual objects and loud noises
Known vices, i.e., cribbing, biting, kicking, weaving, stall walking, etc
Grooming
Bathing
Clipping
Not Checked:
Driving (Pulling a carriage)
Tolerance to multiple handlers at the same time
Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the ongoing assessment of horses in its care:
The Henneke Body Condition score or other body conditioning score is updated at least annually
Photographs are taken of each equine annually and kept with the equine's health records
Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine chiropractor
Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine acupuncturist
Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine massage therapist
Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine nutritionist
Physical examination by a veterinarian at least annually
Not Checked:
The Henneke Body Condition score or other body conditioning score is updated at least monthly
Photographs are taken of each equine monthly and kept with the equine's health records
Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the weight-carrying or workload capabilities of horses/equines that are ridden in our care:
Our organization evaluates at least annually and maintains a written record of the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
Not Checked:
Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
No equines are ridden; not applicable
The following variables are considered in determining the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden:
Equine age, weight, breed, body condition, fitness, balance, health and soundness
Equine conformation to include the top line, length of back, strength and width of loin, bone density (measured by the circumference of the cannon bone just below the knee)
Size, shape, condition and angle of the hooves
Participant weight, height, body proportions, balance, fitness and riding skills as well as behavioral issues and safety concerns
Weight and proper fit of the saddle and other equipment
Terrain and footing in the working environment
Duration and frequency of working sessions, as the frequency with which an equine is subjected to maximum weight carrying and/or workload
Nature and pace of work, repetitive or varied, radius of turns, degree of incline and regularity of footing when equine is subject to maximum weight-carrying capacity
Temperature and/or weather conditions
Seasonal impact on the equines' workload and weight-carrying capabilities and limitations
Not Checked:
Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
No equines are ridden; not applicable
Horses provided formal training (groundwork or riding):
As needed; no set schedule
Additional information about our intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
Prior to taking a new horse on trial for assessment for our program, a visit is made to the horse's current home, and a full history is taken through conversations with the horse's owner/trainer/rider. Based on that visit and discussions, the length and details of the trial period are determined. Upon arrival at our farm, horses may be quarantined for 3-10 days and TPR checked on all horses daily. Formal training is provided by qualified staff which includes groundwork and riding, and horses are tested and acclimated to the specifics for program (i.e., mounting block, use of toys, etc.) Typically horses will participate in mock sessions with staff prior to being used directly in program. Training is ongoing for all horses, as required.
POLICIES: BREEDING
The organization has the following policies related to breeding and stallions:
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, does NOT breed equines.
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, breeds equines
Not Checked:
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, are permitted to house stallions
Additional information about our breeding policies and practices:
Our organization does not breed horses, however, Denise Avolio, Executive Director, has one broodmare that has resided on and off property during each of her pregnancies.
POLICIES: EUTHANASIA
The organization has the following policies related to euthanasia:
Our organization will never have an equine euthanized for space
Our organization will never have a healthy equine euthanized under any circumstances
Our organization may have a healthy equine euthanized if it is a threat to itself, other equines, or people and euthanasia is recommended by a veterinarian
Our organization may have an equine euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian after all reasonable treatment options have been explored
Euthanasia is done on site when possible to decrease trauma from transport
Disposal of the carcass is handled within 24 hours
Not Checked:
Euthanasia is done at the veterinarian's facility
The following are authorized to administer the procedure for your organization in accordance with state laws:
Veterinarian
Not Checked:
A certified euthanasia technician
Senior staff with appropriate training
Employee of animal control shelter or humane society with appropriate training
Veterinary student under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian
Not applicable. Our organization prohibits euthanasia under any circumstances
Additional information about our euthanasia policies and practices:
It is not our practice to euthanize horses based on temperament or soundness. However, as caregivers of a typically older herd we have had to euthanize based on illness/end of life issues after attempts to rehabilitate, on recommendation and treatment from our veterinarian.
POLICIES: RE-HOMING
View Re-homing AgreementOur organization has the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) policies and procedures in place:
All potential adopters/purchasers complete a written contract which constitutes the agreement between our organization and the new owner
Our organization does NOT re-home an equine to first time equine owners
Our organization will only re-home an equine to a location where another equine resides
The distance of a potential adopter/purchaser's home from our facility is a consideration for when re-homing an equine
Not Checked:
Potential adopters/purchasers must visit our organization and be observed with the equine on site
Our organization conducts a site visit of the adopter/purchaser's facility before the transfer of the equine to the adopter/purchaser's facility
Potential adopters/purchasers are encouraged to do a short-term, on-site foster with the equine
Adopters/purchasers are NOT required to provide updates
The uploaded Re-homing agreement includes the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) statements:
*MissingOur organization requires references from the following:
Personal/Other
Not Checked:
Veterinarian
Farrier
Not applicable or no references required.
Transfer of ownership occurs:
Immediately (at the time of adoption/purchase)
The average equine re-homing (adoption/purchase) fee received by your organization:
Over $1,500
Our organization has the following policies and procedures related to horses that need to be retired, are no longer useful, or are no longer manageable:
Equines may remain at our organization for their lifetimes
Equines may be found suitable homes by our organization
Equines may be returned to their owners
In the case an equine is unmanageable and demonstrates repeated dangerous behaviors, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian
In the case an equine is unsound and/or unhealthy and cannot be treated to relieve suffering, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian
Not Checked:
Equines may be sent to auction
If a suitable home cannot be located within 12 months, the equine may be euthanized
If a suitable home cannot be located, and space is not available for the equine to remain at the organization, the organization will secure a suitable home for the equine and accept financial responsibility for the lifetime of the equine
Additional information about our rehoming policies and practices:
Several of the horses in our program are on free lease from their owners, and will either be returned to them upon retirement or another suitable situation will be found. Program owned horses will be retired on the farm, or placed in a reputable retirement situation. We do have horses in our program that may be sold, and all measures will be taken to ensure they find a proper home.