BBraveHearts brings hope, joy and unlimited possibilities through the healing power of the horse. BraveHearts envisions being the premier model for connecting horses with people as a catalyst for wellness. Everyone will have the opportunity to discover healing horsemanship through the BraveHearts model. BraveHearts provides equine-assisted services with teams of expert staff, dedicated volunteers and therapy horses at multiple safe and caring facilities. In addition to serving children and adults, BraveHearts has the largest program in the nation providing innovative equine assisted services to meet the needs of our military veterans and their families.
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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 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.
Community Outreach and/or Public Education:
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
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 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
Not Checked:
Equines are not taken on trial
Equines are on trial for up to 30 days
Equines are on trial for 60 or more days
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
Physical examination by a farrier
Coggins test
Vaccinations
De-worming
Not Checked:
Physical examination by a veterinarian upon arrival and/or prior to quarantine departure
A Henneke Body Conditioning Score or other body conditioning score is assigned
Physical examination by a dentist
Blood work other than Coggins
Fecal test
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:
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
Not Checked:
Jumping
Driving (Pulling a carriage)
Bathing
Clipping
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
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
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
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 acupuncturist
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
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
Not Checked:
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
Temperature and/or weather conditions
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:
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.
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
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
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
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.