EQUUS Foundation

MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
To improve the quality of life of children and adults with special needs through equine assisted services, resulting in a more independent life in society.

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 Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)
    Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology
    Equine-Assisted Learning involving Academic Learning
    Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

6: Total number of Equine Assisted Service Providers at GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center

     1. Delaware Valley School District

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center

RELATIONSHIP: Accompany Clients

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Equine-Assisted Learning involving Academic Learning

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Diana Bixby- Special Education Academic Supervisor at DV School District, PHD in Special Education, Certified teacher
Students are accompanied by Certified teachers and teacher aides

2. Diana Moldovan

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI)

3. Jenny Goodman-Bowden

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center

RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Licensed Speech and Language Pathologist
PATH Intl. Registered Therapist in hippotherapy
AHA Introduction to Hippotherapy- Classic Principles and Applications certification

4. Martha S. Dubensky

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)

Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

PATH Intl. Advanced Instructor
PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) & Faculty
Masters in Psychology
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Certified Life Coach & Addiction Counselor
PATH Intl. Mentor
Path Intl. Lead Evaluator for On- Site Workshop & Certification (OSWC)
Attended AHA Introduction to Hippotherapy- Classic Principles and Applications continuing education course

5. Vera Remes

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center

RELATIONSHIP: Volunteer

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

PATH Intl. Certified Instructor (CTRI)
PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) & Faculty
PATH Intl. Mentor
Previously a Special Education Teacher & Learning Disabilities Teacher/ Counselor

Overview of our programs involved with providing EAS to individuals with special needs:
     GAIT TRC has increased the number of programs, riders, horses and volunteers since its inception to maximize the potential impact of GAIT's programs. Over the years, GAIT has continuously evolved to meet the demands of the community by providing services year round, hiring additional instructors, partnering with local groups and associations, and expanding the programs offered. Services include Therapeutic Riding lessons, Speech and Language Pathology utilizing the movement of the horse (formerly referred to as hippotherapy), Equine Assisted Learning, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy/ Counseling, Vocational Training, volunteer opportunities, Equine Services for Heroes, and community outreach programs.

     GAIT is a PATH Intl' Premier Accredited Center generally serves over 200 people annually (due to COVID, was only able to serve 100 clients). Participants ages 2 – 80+ with cognitive, emotional, physical, and/or behavioral challenges are all welcome, including those with but not limited to:

     Developmental Delays
     ADD/ ADHD
     Autism Spectrum
     Cerebral Palsy
     Down Syndrome
     Multiple Sclerosis
     Prader Willi Syndrome
     Spina Bifida
     Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
     Veterans/ First Responders with PTSD and their families
     Mental Health/ Trauma/ Addiction
     Depression/ Anxiety
     Stroke
     Scoliosis
     At risk youth
     Sensory processing disorders

Community Outreach and/or Public Education:

Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     GAIT TRC offers PATH Int'l Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Workshop/ Skills Test.

     Volunteer Training is offered throughout the year and includes opportunities for volunteers to obtain community service hours and advance their skills by participating in additional horsemanship training when available. GAIT has also been a site for monthly 4-H Horse Club meetings, Girl Scout projects, Eagle Scout projects, field trips for senior centers and for pre-schools and charter schools, all of which involve educational programs involving horsemanship and equine management learning experiences.

     GAIT has also offered beginner mounted/ unmounted activities to able-bodied participants, "Story Time" in partnership with the local library, summer "Horsemanship Club" for youths, and community based educational opportunities for local professionals and educators.

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

Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Lease
    Purchase/Adoption from Owner
    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:
GAIT TRC utilizes specially trained horses which have been carefully selected for their temperament, soundness, and equilateral movement. Prospective horses that are donated to the program are thoroughly vetted prior to being accepted on a trial basis.

     The ideal horse must be sound at the walk/ trot/ canter, have good ground manners, accepting of their environment and riders, have a low flight response, and able to learn how to handle people walking on both sides of them. Ideal height is 13-15 hands and usually in their teen years or older. While the work is at a steady pace, not every horse is suitable to accept the challenges presented within a therapeutic setting. Emphasis on the horse’s health and happiness, as well as the safety of riders and volunteers, is of the utmost importance to us.

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
    The owner is financially responsible for the shipping of the equine to and from the organization
    Equines are on trial for up to 30 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 up to 60 days
    Equines are on trial for 60 or more 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 a veterinarian upon arrival and/or prior to quarantine departure
    Physical examination by trained barn staff
    A Henneke Body Conditioning Score or other body conditioning score is assigned
    Physical examination by a farrier
    Physical examination by a dentist
    Coggins test
    Fecal test
    Vaccinations
    De-worming

Not Checked:
    Photographs are taken of each equine upon arrival at the facility and kept with the equine's health records
    Blood work other than Coggins
    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 confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine at the facility for a prescribed period of time

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 equine is not quarantined

The typical length of quarantine is:   10 to 20 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
    Tolerance to unusual objects and loud noises
    Known vices, i.e., cribbing, biting, kicking, weaving, stall walking, etc
    Grooming
    Tolerance to multiple handlers at the same time

Not Checked:
    Jumping
    Driving (Pulling a carriage)
    Bathing
    Clipping

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
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine massage therapist
    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 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
    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
    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:
    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)
    Terrain and footing in the working environment
    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:
Vaccinations and de-worming is completed by owner prior to arrival to center.
GAIT specifically assesses for soundness and any injuries that might lead to unsoundness. New horses are kept isolated in an adjoining but separate paddock before being gradually introduced to the herd.

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 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:
Our organization will never have a healthy equine euthanized under any circumstances
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:
If all efforts of medical and behavioral interventions had been exhausted and it would be otherwise unsafe for a healthy horse to be rehomed or remain on the premises, then we would have to consider euthanasia

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
    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
    Our organization conducts a site visit of the adopter/purchaser's facility before the transfer of the equine to the adopter/purchaser's facility

Not Checked:
    Potential adopters/purchasers must visit our organization and be observed with the equine on site
    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:
    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 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 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 re-homed equines cannot be bred
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for one year

Not Checked:
    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 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 if there is any breach of contract the equine must be returned to our organization
    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 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:
    Veterinarian
    Farrier
    Personal/Other

Not Checked:
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:
Not applicable; None received

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:
GAIT does not generally re-home horses and plans to maintain the herd for the duration of their lives. Horses are tried on a trial basis prior to acceptance in GAIT's programs, with the agreement that they be returned to their owners if not accepted.

In the event that a horse's temperament drastically changes negatively over time, our policy is have professional assessments by veterinarian, horse trainers, etc. to rule out any health or behavioral issues. If re-homing were to be considered after the assessments, the former owner would be contacted. If all assessments deemed the horse to be dangerous and unmanageable, then it would be humanely euthanized.