October 2023

HwH is the Premier Accredited Center in Northern Arizona

Harnessing the proven benefits of therapeutic horsemanship, Horses with Heart (HwH)is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Chino Valley, AZ. We help transform the lives of disabled children and adults, U.S. military veterans, first responders, and seniors as they gain confidence, dignity, and independence by riding our trained horses under the direction of highly-credentialed staff.

Meet HwH’s New Program Director, Clarissa Donnelly!

Clarissa comes to HwH from Palos Verdes, CA, where she began volunteering at a PATH Intl. Member Center in 2016. Participating in lessons as a sidewalker and horse leader and witnessing the profound impact the horses were having on their riders, it did not take long for her to realize that this would be her chosen career. Clarissa became a PATH Intl. certified instructor in 2018, and after graduating with her B.A. degree in Behavioral Sciences in 2020, she grew into leadership roles at the center, most recently serving as their Program Director. Clarissa has a strong equestrian background, having successfully competed in Western schooling shows, worked as an assistant trainer, and taught beginner- through- advanced Western riding lessons. She participates in clinics and educational events whenever possible and believes that her love of riding and passion for learning shine through every aspect of her work. Horses have been a crucial part of her personal journey of self-growth, awareness, and confidence, and she loves to see students experiencing those same benefits.

Having fallen in love with Arizona’s natural beauty, Clarissa is thrilled to be relocating to the Prescott area and is looking forward to getting involved in the local horse community. Clarissa is so excited to get to know all the students, horses, volunteers, and staff at HwH, and she feels very honored to serve as your Program Director

New Title for Jan Grise

Jan Grise, our current Program Director, has been the driving force behind our therapeutic riding program and our instructors w Horses with Heart since 2015, and a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor since 2009. Jan has decided it was time to pass the torch of Program Director on to someone new, and as you just read above, Clarissa Donnelly has been chosen to take over for her. But don’t worry about not seeing Jan around the ranch, she will continue to work with all of us as the Director of Equine Assisted Services, our newest developing program to include Equine Assisted Learning. Our pilot program in EAL will begin in Session 5, and as a fully engaged program in 2024, beginning with Session 1. You might not see her smiling face every day at HWH, but just know that she is behind the scenes, developing another successful adventure at Horses with Heart. Thank you, Jan, for your years of dedication and impeccable character that has brought so much to our organization.

Jan’s new email address is ealhwh@gmail.com.

Our Newest Instructor

Please welcome Patty Alberg to our Silver Saddle Instructor Team. She will be teaching two classes on Mondays.

Patty Alberg has been helping riders of all ages and disciplines, beginner to advanced, understand and improve communication with their horses and become more confident riders for the past 25 yrs. She has trained and rehabilitated many horses over the last 30 yrs. She has been certified as a centered riding instructor and was an active member of Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) for many years.

Other experience includes western speed events, obstacle competitions, performance drill teams as well as drill instructor & master, coached many 4H students with their horses, taught classes at horse camp, and led thousands of trail rides. She is passionate about helping human-horse relationships and improving rider safety.

(Re)Introducing HwH’s New Volunteer Coordinator

You may recognize her- she has been one of our trustworthy stable hands and held the role of Volunteer Coordinator last year. Kelly brings lots of enthusiasm and experience to this job and we are so excited to have her back on our team! Please stop by the office to meet Kelly if you haven’t already.

Chelsea will still be at Horses with Heart, taking on the full-time role of Office Manager.

Bowl-a-Thon 2024

It’s BAAAAACK! Yes, Bowl-a-Thon is BACK AGAIN! Horses with Heart is reviving an old favorite and very successful fundraiser, the Bowl-a-Thon, February 10th, 2024, at Antelope Lanes in Prescott Valley. All of you bowling wonders and amazing strikers get ready to roll again! Get the team together and start thinking about sponsors and silent auction items. Do you have a great idea for a new and fun T-shirt for this event?

Let’s go crazy this time, and create something different. I wonder whether Hope-A-Long will be joining us to bowl?

Just itchin’ to start this fun event up again? Well, the committee is just beginning to form with our friend and volunteer Maureen Owen taking the lead, and Kim Pagones as her co-chair. Please contact the HwH office at 928-533-9178 to get the scoop on the planning and meeting times.

Marvelous Minis September Update

Marvelous Minis Rocky, Liberty, Sparky, and Frosty visited Willow Wind Good Samaritan on September 11th. Their entourage consisted of Rebecca Davidson, Laura Jaramillo, Jan Bailey, Rich Tuten, Mary Smith, and, doing their first MM Program, Seth Owens, Deborah Hicks, Janice Sather, and Carol Pritchard.

It was a beautiful day, lit up by mini love and resident and volunteer smiles! Liberty and Sparky were outfitted (non-slip boots and, um, poop bags) to go inside the building to visit those who couldn’t go outside.

After the program Rocky, Liberty, and Frosty stopped at the 9/11 Healing Field in Prescott Valley. We took photos, and the minis made new friends!

Tack Sale

Please join us on October 6th and 7th in Appaloosa Meadows for a Tack Sale. We have a wide variety of tack for half-price. All proceeds will benefit our programs here at Horses with Heart!

Equine Assisted Learning Program – Launching This Session!

Horses with Heart is excited to announce that the EAL program will be underway in our last session of 2023 which begins the week of October 9th. We’ve been planning for this program for close to a year. Special training for facilitators and practice classes have been part of this process.

The Equine Assisted Learning program is a unique and highly effective therapeutic intervention that combines interaction with horses and experiential learning techniques. Professionals assist individuals and groups in handling life challenges and opportunities by developing and building essential life skills such as effective problem-solving, decision-making, self-confidence, and communication.

With the EAL program just getting off the ground, Horses with Heart needs financial support to cover the expenses associated with horse care, professional facilitation, and materials necessary for the sessions. We request that you kindly consider donating towards this purpose, as your investment in the participants and this program will have long-lasting positive effects. If you have any questions or require additional information regarding the EAL program or the logistics of the funding, please do not hesitate to contact us at 928-533-9178 or by clicking the button below.

Volunteer of the Year Nominations

It’s time to start thinking about your choice for Horses with Heart’s Volunteer of the Year. Who best demonstrates a strong commitment to our riders, our fellow volunteers and our programs? Who should be honored at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Event on December 9th?

Please fill out the form at the link below or stop by the office to grab a nomination form. Nominations are due no later than November 10th.

Please note that Volunteers of the Year for the last five years are not eligible to be nominated this year. These devoted past winners are Kris Vollrath, Mary Smith, Sherry Hoover, Bonnie Moreau, and Cindy Roche.

To Download Form, print and bring into HWH Office: CLICK HERE

Volunteer of the Month ~ Rob and Michelle Whan

1.     How long have you been with Horses with Heart?

We've been volunteering with the Marvelous Mini program for about six years. We are the transport for Rocky and Friends.

2.     Why do you volunteer at Horses with Heart?

We love sharing our wonderful little equines with people from all walks of life. Children, Veterans, seniors, and the folks with disabilities: we love watching the smiles on their faces as they interact with Rocky and our little cast of characters, Ori, Milo, Tessa, Paisley, Bobby and Pirate.

3.     What is your favorite memory or moment at Horses with Heart? 

One of our favorite memories was the visit by the seniors from Granite Gate. We had such a great time giving them cart rides at the ranch with Ori and Bobby at the helm. One of the ladies couldn’t get enough of Bobby cantering. She kept asking to go faster and as we would pick up speed she would giggle and laugh like a little girl. So sweet! 

4.     If you could share one thing with new volunteers, what would that be?

We would tell anyone who is currently or is considering being a volunteer at HWH to just get involved. Every position is critical to the success of the program. When you get to observe and be part of someone making that connection between them and their horse and see the happiness and joy it creates for them, well, it just fills our hearts with joy to be a small part of that.

Where Is He Now? ~ Big Ben

From time to time our horses tell us it is time for them to do something new. That was the case with Big Ben. As he got older, he let us know that he was no longer able to carry heavy riders and work every day like we needed him to. I’m happy to report that Ben found his own little boy and is “living it up” in Peeples Valley. Thank you, Westin, for loving Ben and giving him a new home.

Blue Ribbon Moments Winners:

Please join us in recognizing the following volunteers who were nominated by their peers for going above and beyond at Horses with Heart! A new winner is chosen each week that we are in session, so make sure to nominate your fellow volunteers!

  • Week of September 4th Winner: Gloria Reid

  • Week of September 11th Winner: Marcia Gagnon

  • Week of September 19th Winner: Kris Dockum

Sequins and Saddles 2023

Tickets for our fall fundraiser, Sequins and Saddles, go on sale Monday, October 2nd. Tickets cost $125 apiece and can be ordered by stopping by the office or calling 928-533-9178. This is a wonderful event with dinner and live music, a raffle and auctions- and all proceeds go to support our programs!

For questions or additional information please contact Lynn today: sscoordinator23@gmail.com

Thank you to the businesses and individuals who are already sponsoring this great event!

Diamond level

  • Lisa and Joseph Lucidi

  • Prescott Animal Hospital

  • Edward and Joyce Karkalik

  • Michael Zenner

  • High Desert Buildings and Barns

  • Celtic Windmill Trucking

  • Gunsite Academy

  • Barry Barbe/El Gato Azul

  • Mike Cohn

 

Gold level

  • Randy and Karen Kay

  • Eye Boutique of Sedona

Silver level

  • Frontier Financial

  • Fann Contracting Inc.

  • Glenn and Sherry Daiutolo

  • Drake Concrete

Bronze level

  • Helen Collins

  • Capital Canyon Club

 

Turquoise level

  • Olsen's Grain

  • Granite Mountain Stables 

  • Prescott Shooting and Gun Club

  • Raskin's Jewelers

  • Independent Therapy Dogs/Kim Pagones

  • NOAZ Pest Control

  • Dana Renee Mills Trust 

  • Mary Miller

Where to Find HwH News?

 

Around Our Center

Thank you all for your response to last month’s request for winter foster homes for our horses. We are pleased to report that ALL HwH horses already have a winter home lined up, and none of them will be going to a boarding facility!

As we’re beginning to see changes in our weather, there are many things to watch for. Our horses are growing winter hair, and it may cause static electricity during grooming. You may also notice that the horses have more energy. The trees will soon be dropping leaves, providing more flying obstacles on those breezy fall afternoons. As always, stay alert and be safe.

Calendar of Events

  • October 6th and 7th ~ Appaloosa Meadows Tack Sale

  • October 9th ~ Session 5 Begins

  • November 4th ~ Competition Play Day

  • November 10th ~ Volunteer of the Year Nominations Due

  • November 11th ~ Sequins and Saddles

  • November 22nd-November 24th ~ HwH Office Closed for Thanksgiving

  • December 9th ~ Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

  • December 25th -January 2nd ~ HwH Office Closed; Merry Christmas!

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Stay tuned for more information on #GIVINGTUESDAY - Nov. 28th, 2023!

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