Not Checked:
    Therapeutic Driving Services
    Therapeutic Vaulting Services
    Equine-Assisted Learning involving Academic Learning
    Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development


Overview of our programs involved with providing EAS to individuals with special needs:
     BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center, known commonly as BraveHearts, is a 501c3 nonprofit established in 2002 by Marge Gunnar and world-renowned cardiologist and decorated Korean War Medic veteran Dr. Rolf Gunnar. BraveHearts is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) Premier Accredited Center.
     
     Programming operates out of two busy, year-round farms in Illinois, including an expansive equine-assisted services (EAS) program. In 2007 BraveHearts started services for veteran service members (VSM), serving all VSM at zero cost. In 2010 BraveHearts acquired its second facility in Poplar Grove, IL and began an outpatient clinic which offers physical, occupational, and speech therapy using hippotherapy as a treatment strategy for individuals in need and equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) to address mental health concerns under the direction of mental health providers.
     
     BraveHearts is the industry leader in designing, implementing, and hosting numerous PATH Intl. educational opportunities for professionals to help increase the accessibility and quality of EAS for veterans and individuals with disabilities throughout the nation. BraveHearts has extensive experience in delivering EAS to VSM and individuals with various diagnoses. In 2021, despite COVID-19, BraveHearts served 1,216 individuals (799 were VSM) through 27,429 EAS sessions with the help of 427 volunteers who donated 22,912 hours.
     
     BraveHearts offers innovative services to meet the needs of children, adults and military veterans in need. Services offered include therapeutic riding, physical, occupational and speech therapy using hippotherapy as a treatment strategy, foundation horsemanship, retreats, all-veteran drill team, horse shows, PATH certification mentoring, mustang training, equine-assisted psychotherapy, and virtual programming.
     
     Common diagnoses of individuals served at BraveHearts includes: military sexual trauma (MST), traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, Down syndrome, Autism, cerebral palsy and spina bifida.

Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     BraveHearts is actively pursuing and building partnerships to further community engagement. BraveHearts has a 13-member volunteer Community Action Committee focus on outreach and developing and growing referral pathways to increase VSM access to programs. BraveHearts offers eight tiers of volunteer trainings to help advanced volunteer horsemanship and leadership and routine trainings to accelerate skills.
     
     Each year BraveHearts hosts the Special Olympics Equestrian Games. This event reaches throughout the community. Additionally, BraveHearts has a committee specifically to help spread awareness of equine assisted services offered at BraveHearts. Cub scouts, girl scouts, various corporations, etc. all regularly request tours of BraveHearts.

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 Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)
    Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology

8: Total number of Equine Assisted Service Providers at BraveHearts

16: Total number of Equine Assisted Service Providers at BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

     1. Alexis Coticchio

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         EAGALA certified
Mental health professional

     2. Allison Peuler

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

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

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         AHA - Occupational Therapist

     3. Anna Mitchell

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

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

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         AHA - Speech therapist

     4. Ashley Kohanyi

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         MAT, MSW Social Worker

     5. Bill Mercurio

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Employee

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Therapeutic Mounted Services

         Therapeutic Unmounted Services

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         PATH Intl. CTRI

     6. Emily Nathan

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Employee

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Therapeutic Mounted Services

         Therapeutic Unmounted Services

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         PATH Intl. CTRI
Bachelors in Technology

     7. Jamie Janssen Casey, Psy.D.

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Employee

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)

         Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         Jamie is also trained in EAGALA, certified as an advanced child youth and family social worker and holds a doctorate in clinical psychology.

     8. Jeanna Sorgani

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Employee

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Therapeutic Mounted Services

         Therapeutic Unmounted Services

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         CTRI & CTRS

     9. Kelly Freisema

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

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

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         Kelly is also certified in Applied Behavior Analysis therapy

     10. Kim Davis

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Employee

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Therapeutic Mounted Services

         Therapeutic Unmounted Services

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         PATH Intl. CTRI

     11. Marshall Wolfe

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Employee

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Therapeutic Mounted Services

         Therapeutic Unmounted Services

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         Marshall is a Marine Veteran.PATH Intl. CTRI

     12. Meggan Hill-McQueeney

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Employee

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Therapeutic Mounted Services

         Therapeutic Unmounted Services

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         PATH CTRI. In 2015, Meggan was named the PATH Intl. James Brady Professional Achievement Award due to her great dedication, proven leadership, high ethical standards and her demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative, creative and effective ideas for the industry.
Meggan serves on the following committees: BraveHearts’ Finance Committee, BraveHearts’ Program & Development Committee, BraveHearts’ Fundraising Committee, BraveHearts’ Community Action Committee, PATH International Equine Services for Heroes Committee, PATH Job Task Development Committee and The Special Olympics of Illinois’ Equestrian Sports Management Team.

     13. Nick Montijo

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Volunteer

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Therapeutic Mounted Services

         Therapeutic Unmounted Services

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         Nick is also a Marine Veteran and winner of the 2018 Veteran of the Year Award through National Able Network.PATH Intl. CTRI

     14. Terese Klinger

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Therapeutic Mounted Services

         Therapeutic Unmounted Services

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

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         Terese is also a PATH Intl. Registered Therapist.PATH Intl. CTRI and Occupational Therapist

POLICIES: ACQUISITION

Our organization acquires horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Donation  
    Purchase/Adoption from Owner  
    Auction  
    Kill pen/Feedlot  

Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Lease  
    Return  
    Surrender  
    Seizure  
    Abandonment  

Our organization will accept the following:
    Geldings
    Mares
    Only Stallions to be castrated

Not Checked:
    Pregnant Mares
    Foals
    Stallions

Additional information about our acquisition policies and practices:
We are open to any horse if we can help the horse develop and give him a purpose in which he or she would be successful. We also watch a budget closely to make sure we have the means to care for any animal we take in to the program. We are well versed in management and how much care and expense some horses require. We always want to make sure any we take in we can fully and properly meet all their needs.

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

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 up to 60 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
    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
    The trial period may be terminated by either the organization or the owner for any reason

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
    Physical examination by a farrier
    Coggins test
    Vaccinations
    De-worming

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 typical length of quarantine is:   More than 30 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

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 chiropractor
    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
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

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
    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
    Seasonal impact on the equines' workload and weight-carrying capabilities and limitations


Horses provided formal training (groundwork or riding):   As needed; no set schedule

Additional information about our intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
We let horses settle in first and then begin conditioning and training. We have charts we utilize for each horse on what he is comfortable and confident in completing each area.

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.

Additional information about our breeding policies and practices:
BraveHearts is not in the breeding business.

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

The following are authorized to administer the procedure for your organization in accordance with state laws:
    Veterinarian

POLICIES: RE-HOMING

Re-homing Agreement not applicable.
Our organization has the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) policies and procedures in place:
    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 has the following policies and procedures related to horses that need to be retired, are no longer useful, or are no longer manageable:
    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.