EQUUS Foundation

MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
Small Miracles Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc. is a Christian-based 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded through love to enhance the physical, social-emotional, behavioral and cognitive growth of individuals with special needs and disabilities through equine-assisted services.

Our organization conducts Equine Assisted Services in accordance with the EQUUS Foundation Guidelines on Qualifications of Organizations Conducting Equine Assisted Services (EAS).
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 does not use satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities

Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
Our organization provides the following Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
    Therapeutic Mounted Services
    Therapeutic Unmounted Services
    Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

4: Total number of Equine Assisted Service Providers at Small MiraclesTherapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc.

     1. Deborah Ferraro

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Small MiraclesTherapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Deborah is a Registered Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor; Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, and Certified Mentor through PATH, International.

Deborah is retired from Eastman Chemical Company. She has earned her B.S. degrees in Animal Science and Chemistry and a Master's Degree in Education. Deborah utilized her Animal Science and Chemistry Degree to help develop nutritional equine feed early in her career. Also a seasoned equestrian, Deborah was a member of the University of Tennessee Riding Team.

2. Hannah Long

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Small MiraclesTherapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Hannah is a Registered Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through PATH, International.

3. Sherri Russell

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Small MiraclesTherapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

In addition to her dual roles of Executive and Program Director, Sherri designs and facilitates TIC-EAAT utilizing multiple certifications through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH), International: Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor; Mentor, and Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning. She has also earned PATH Equine Services for Heroes; and Spinal Cord Injuries, Paralysis & EAAT Specialty Certificates. Additionally, Sherri has completed Natural Lifemanship Fundamentals Training and Trauma-Focused Equine Workshops. Sherri has combined her experiential knowledge of horse behavior with being a certified Life Coach specializing in Trauma-Informed Care.
Sherri was involved for several years in the non-profit sector as a steering committee member Board of Director and mentor with high-risk teens and in other EAAT programs prior to Small Miracles. Due to her expertise and validated program success, Sherri has been a Key Note Speaker at local PTSD Town Halls.
Sherri has a beloved sister with Down syndrome, giving her a personal perspective on the care and advocacy needed for families with a member who has a special need. Her membership with the American Quarter Horse Association also provides many lesson ideas, such as utilizing AQHA riding patterns. Sherri incorporates her multiple talents into every program, creating an exciting adventure for all of our students.

Overview of our programs involved with providing EAS to individuals with special needs:
     Small Miracles Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc. is a Christian-based 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded through love to enhance the physical, social-emotional, behavioral and cognitive growth of individuals with special needs and disabilities through equine-assisted services. We provide opportunities for personal growth and development during every stage of life through positive and creative activities that fully engage the participants’ minds and bodies. Our agency serves individuals with special needs and disabilities regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, financial ability to pay, or any other discriminating factor.
      Small Miracles is a trauma-responsive agency incorporating Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) practices in all of our EAS programs. Therapeutic Horsemanship (TH) programs enhance the physical, social-emotional, cognitive and behavioral growth of individuals with special needs/disabilities through both mounted and unmounted activities. TIC-Therapeutic Horsemanship serves participants challenged with, but not limited to, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual developmental disabilities; and neo-natal drug/alcohol exposure. Under the TH umbrella is HOPE Connection serving individuals on the autism spectrum and/or with sensory processing disorder. With an emphasis on social-emotional connection, HOPE connection helps prepare students for higher learning and provides work-readiness skills.
      Trauma-Informed Care Positive Youth Development (TIC-PYD) strengthens and enhances the social-emotional and cognitive growth of children and youth who have endured Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), prolonged stress and traumatic events through Trauma-Informed Care-EAS. School-based TIC-EAS is facilitated jointly with Small Miracles' PATH CTRI’s and State of Tennessee licensed, certified teachers. This experiential program helps to encourage neuroplasticity, strengthening the brain architecture, executive functioning, and the development of resiliency skills— key factors to lessen or eliminate the potential harmful effect of ACEs. Our horses are very powerful in their intuitive ability to establish a connected, attuned relationship that instills hope, trust, belonging and resilience. Each component of this multi-faceted program helps to guide these students to intentional living and regulated positive behaviors. In turn, these lead to the achievement of both short- and long-term goals, breaking down disparity, poverty and dysfunctional family cycles. In conjunction with referring counselors, Sherri also works with the guardians/caretakers of traumatized children and youth regarding self-care and grief.
      Utilizing TIC-EAS, Horses Empower Heroes (HEH) helps foster the recovery, stability and re-integration of military veterans into their family and community. This mission is accomplished by encouraging the veterans’ transition from a crippling survival-mode existence into a life filled with hope through trauma-focused, relationship-rich EAS. The HEH motto is: It’s not about surviving— it’s about thriving! HEH activities enhance the personal goals set forth by the Out-Patient veterans' referring V.A. MSW licensed counselors, accompanied by their V.A. credentialed Recreational Therapist.
      Small Miracles does NOT provide— nor claim to provide— mental health services. We enhance the services of the referring mental health professional, not deliver the MHP service. HEH Instructor Sherri Russell has earned PATH Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning and Equine Services for Heroes specialty certificates; she does not perform services beyond this definition.

Community Outreach and/or Public Education:

Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
Small Miracles remains actively involved in multiple community outreaches. Our Positive Youth Development program includes school-based TIC- EAS facilitated jointly with our PATH CTRI’s and State of Tennessee licensed, certified teachers. We provide required Service Learning for high school students; and community service for juvenile court referred youth on a case-by-case basis. University and college students pursuing degrees in veterinary science, animal therapy, physical therapy, social work, counseling, etc. are provided opportunities ranging from one-time experiential EAS through long-term intern placement.
During every outreach, we advocate for not just our horses, but for all horses. We educate about the proper care and handling of the horses and that horses are sentient creatures capable of thoughts, feelings and emotions.

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.

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

Not Checked:
    Pregnant Mares
    Foals
    Stallions
    Only Stallions to be castrated

Additional information about our acquisition policies and practices:
Small Miracles does not directly rescue equine from auction/kill/feedlots/surrender. However, some of our current and past equine staff have been rescued from neglect and abuse by a third party and then donated to us. Here they have been rehabilitated physically and emotionally through our staff, veterinarians and farriers, while becoming beloved members of the Small Miracles family.

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.
    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

Not Checked:
If health records are not available or are out-of-date, our veterinarian will administer appropriate vaccinations

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
    The owner is financially responsible for the shipping of the equine to and from the organization
    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:
    Equines are not taken on trial
    Equines are on trial for up to 30 days
    Equines are on trial up to 60 days
    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 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
    De-worming

Not Checked:
    Physical examination by a veterinarian upon arrival and/or prior to quarantine departure
    Physical examination by a dentist
    Coggins test
    Blood work other than Coggins
    Fecal test
    Vaccinations
    The equine is scanned to check for a microchip
    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 not quarantined

Not Checked:
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 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:   Horses are not quarantined

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
    Tolerance to unusual objects and loud noises
    Known vices, i.e., cribbing, biting, kicking, weaving, stall walking, etc
    Grooming
    Bathing
    Clipping
    Tolerance to multiple handlers at the same time

Not Checked:
Jumping
Driving (Pulling a carriage)

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
Physical examination by a veterinarian at least annually

Not Checked:
    Photographs are taken of each equine monthly and kept with the equine's health records
    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

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): Weekly

Additional information about our intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
In addition to our intake protocol listed above, once the new horse arrives at our property, it is checked over thoroughly to ensure that it has not sustained any injury during transportation. New horses are then placed in a cleaned stall or separate pasture paddock for monitoring of signs of stress such as colic. Should an equine require immediate farrier attention, the farrier is contacted; should the equine require veterinarian attention or assessment, the vet is contacted.
Our horses are provided formal training weekly, or as needed. Training is only facilitated by Small Miracles' PATH CRTI's or skilled equestrians who have been fully vetted by Sherri Russell, Executive/Program Director & PATH CRTI.

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.

Not Checked:
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, breeds equines
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, are permitted to house stallions

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 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:
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
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

POLICIES: RE-HOMING

View Re-homing Agreement
Our 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
    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
    Adopters/purchasers are NOT required to provide updates

Not Checked:
    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
    Potential adopters/purchasers are encouraged to do a short-term, on-site foster with the equine

The uploaded Re-homing agreement includes the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) statements:
The agreement reflects that any individual or organization in possession of the equine as of the date of the agreement and any time thereafter is bound to not sell the equine at auction for slaughter or allow the equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that will cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter.
The agreement states that if there is any breach of contract the equine must be returned to our organization

Not Checked:
    The agreement states that should the adopter decide to re-home the equine, our organization must be notified of the name, address, and telephone number of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason prior to the equine being placed into the possession of such individual or organization.
    The agreement states that re-homed equines CANNOT be sold, adopted, transferred, auctioned, released, given away, or otherwise placed into the possession of another individual or organization under any circumstances.
    The agreement states that should the adopter decide to re-home the equine, our organization must grant approval of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason prior to the equine being placed into the possession of such individual or organization, including being provided written notification of the name, address, and telephone number of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason.
    The agreement states that the terms of our organization's agreement will be binding on any future individual or organization taking and/or in possession of the equine for any reason.
    The agreement states that re-homed equines cannot be bred
    The agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make unannounced visits
    The agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make scheduled visits
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization free of charge
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization for a fee
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for one year
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for two years
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for three or more years
    None of the statements are included.
    The organization does not re-home equines under any circumstances; our organization retains custody of our equines and ensures care of the equines for their lifetimes.
    Our organization does not have the authority to transfer ownership and/or does not own any of the equines involved with our programs.

Our 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) or less than one year

The average equine re-homing (adoption/purchase) fee received by your organization:
$201 to $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 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
    In the case an equine is unmanageable and demonstrates repeated dangerous behaviors, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian
    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:
Most of our Equine Staff remain with us for their lifetime, while enjoying a kind, quality-filled life as a therapy horse. Due to our various programs, the horses can continue to teach valuable life lessons for our participants through unmounted lessons. If a horse shows signs of a need to retire, the owners who have requested First Right of Refusal are contacted. If the owner is no longer interested we keep the horse, unless an alternative, very good forever home is found.