Fall 15
Ashleigh Rides Contributed by Susan Foote Five year-old Ashleigh Coppens is “one tough cookie” according to Monica Wu, Occupational Therapist (masters) and owner & founder of Reinbow Therapy, LLC that has been privately contracted with Windrush Farm since 2007. Monica met Ashleigh and her mother, Jenn, in March to determine what movement-based activities on a horse would best facilitate recovery and function for this precious and medically complex child. Ashleigh’s responses to Hippotherapy and Windrush’s veteran horse Tucker have been immediate and recognizable to both parent and instructor. Jenn delivered monoamniotic identical twins at 31 weeks but cord entanglement resulted in a number of serious health issues for Ashleigh. She is epileptic, suffers from chronic respiratory failure, and was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. She was in the hospital for the first two years of her life and was on a ventilator at night from 12 to 20 months of age. Ashleigh has been in physical therapy since birth as well as occupational therapy and speech, vision, and feeding therapy. Jenn heard about Hippotherapy while tending to her daughter’s care. “My husband is in the military, and when we transferred from Jacksonville to the Boston area we found Windrush Farm.” The pairing of Ashleigh with Monica and Tucker has resulted in numerous positives for this determined little girl. Tucker is familiar with clients who may seize, and Monica uses American Sign Language to communicate with Ashleigh, as she is non-verbal. Instructions also come via an iPhone that has an application that Monica can program. With a light touch, Ashleigh can access and receive commands such as “Go pony.” Ashleigh’s eyes are not fully focused. Monica addresses the need to use Ashleigh’s eyes with exercises in the riding ring and on the farm’s sensory trail. She is able to swallow while on Tucker, and center herself, and sit upright with the focus on improving her core. “My daughter has gone from one extreme to another while riding,” says Jenn. “At
week ten she was able to walk independently, which has always been my goal. Coming to Windrush has been so beneficial for my daughter. I talk about the wonders of Windrush Farm to people every day.”
Windrush farm
TH E RAP E UT I C E QUI TAT I ON , I N C .
479 Lacy Street North Andover, Massachusetts 01845 email: info@windrushfarm.org w w w.facebook.com/windrushfarm
www.windrushfarm.org
Changing lives, one stride at a time, one smile at a time!
Puddles to Paper Contributed by Emma Hammond
When Molly Awiszus first started volunteering at Windrush Farm, her intentions were to hopefully relive some memories of riding as a child. Little did she know that she would soon be engulfed in a project that would involve sharing a new story of Windrush Farm. When Molly was first introduced to the story of the famous Windrush mallard duck, Puddles, she thought it was the sweetest story and perfect for a children’s book. Molly approached Puddles’ surrogate owner, farm manager Roland Dudney, in hopes she could have her hand at writing the story. Nearly two-years later and with collaborative efforts, the story, “Puddles of Windrush Farm” has been completed. “She was so passionate about the story, which made me excited,” Roland expressed. When asked why he himself never put the story to paper, he said “We (my wife and two sons) lived it! The boys thought it was perfectly normal having a duckling in the bath with them.”
Roland Dudney and Molly Awiszus presenting book
This is a classic children’s story about a duckling’s milestones and its happy life at the farm. Puddles was found as an egg, nursed and feathered out to become a returning seasonal mallard to Windrush Farm for over ten years. “Every season we most certainly knew it was Puddles because she would circle the farm, land and march right up to the Dudney’s door, quacking away until she was noticed,” added Mandy Hogan, the Executive Director of Windrush. “What makes this story so special is it is entirely true, and I made sure of that because I knew this would be for Windrush. I think that’s what gives it a unique element,” explained Molly. Molly also recognized that this book wouldn’t have been possible without the additional contributions and critique of her daughter, Annabella Awiszus and the editorial expertise of Jessica Griggs.
Cake made by Topsfield Bakery for book presentation
Molly takes ownership of really wanting to see this book be published, “Of course I would love to see the book be picked up by a big publisher or to self publish. I really believe in the potential of the story and I would love it to do amazing things for Windrush.” Here’s hoping that we soon see Puddles returning to Windrush once more, but in the form of a book this time.
“...I really believe in the potential of the story and I would love it to do amazing things for Windrush.”
Melissa Dudney holds Puddles with her two boys (now grown)
“They allowed us to fulfill dreams we have had for Windrush...” Service Days Make Impact Contributed by Rachel Bernstein
Altria
At Windrush Farm, volunteers are the backbone of our organization. If we didn’t have the help of our volunteers, we would not be able to provide services for over 2,000 individuals each year. Windrush has a number of different types of volunteer opportunities. One in particular that we are extremely grateful for, is the groups that do community service days on the farm. These groups help our farm manager, Roland Dudney, maintain the 38 acres owned by Windrush and the 160 acres of North Andover conservation trails. Ten incredible groups have come to volunteer in the past five months! Some of the groups are returning volunteers, like GE Aviation, YouthBuild Lawrence, Johnson O’Connor Feron & Carucci LLP., St. John’s Prep., Deloitte, and MENTOR Network. Others just joined as community service members, like NSUW with Shore Country Day School, Boy Scout Troop 79, Altria, and YouthBuild North Shore. In total, these groups have contributed over 1,000 hours of service and we are thrilled to continue to sign up different organizations looking to get involved. Without the help of these organizations, Windrush Farm would not be able to complete countless projects like painting, maintaining fences, cleaning our indoor arena, water sealing picnic tables, gardening, mulching, landscaping, and widening our trails for our therapeutic riding classes. “They allowed us to fulfill dreams we have had for Windrush. They have built the obstacle course for Veterans, broken ground for a new Sensory Forest for all of our clients to use, and widened our trails so we can allow clients to experience nature,” explains Roland. “The impact they make by volunteering here is truly evident.” We encourage all groups, big or small, to come to Windrush Farm for volunteer opportunities. With 198 acres of land to maintain, 25 horses to keep happy, and endless projects to complete, we depend on this help.
Deloitte
Boy Scout Troop 79
If you’d like to bring a group of students, coworkers or friends to volunteer at the farm, please contact our volunteer coordinators at: volunteer@windrushfarm.org
WINDRUSH FARM’S
NEW WEBSITE
We are so thrilled to officially announce that Windrush Farm has a new website! After serious thought and excitement, we have made the decision to upgrade our site to a new, modern webpage. Our goal was to create a user-friendly site that made it easy for individuals to donate, volunteer and learn about our programming. Our web designer and former employee, Jennifer Belanger, did a fantastic job of putting our wants and needs together to create a beautiful final product. Be sure to go to windrushfarm.org and take a look!
Do you have a photo you would like to share? Be sure to use Windrush’s Hashtag!
#OurHorsesHelpHeal
Our New Homepage
Do you follow us on Social Media?... BOARD OF DIRECTORS We
are on Facebook Like our Page
Follow us on Instagram @WindrushFarm Follow us on Twitter @Windrush_Farm
John Adams Candace Alsop Carolyn Campot Christine Chudy Kathleen Federico Robert Gore (Chair) Charles J. Kittredge, Jr. Michele Meyer Cornelius J. Murray III Benjamin Nutter Janet Schickling Debra Shade Lucy Vaill
Horseshoe Highlights Pedaling for a Purpose Donates to Windrush Keith Harris, owner of Choice Graphics in Rowley, MA, recently donated to our new Sensory Forest. The donation came out of funds raised last summer after Keith rode cross country from Seattle to Newburyport, 4400 miles over 10 weeks. His ‘Pedaling For A Purpose’ raised $42,000 with a special $5,000 donation from the Institution for Savings. This donation was given with the intention Keith would use it towards a local cause. Keith knew that he wanted it to benefit young people as well as to make an impact for years to come. After hearing the vision of the new Windrush Sensory Forest, he knew right away Windrush Farm was the perfect place for the donation to land. Keith raised a little under $10 for each mile he rode last summer, so the Windrush Sensory Forest project represents about 525 miles of his amazing ride! Keith Harris during Pedal for a Purpose ride in Summer 2014.
Keith Harris, Institution of Saving presenting donation to Windrush Staff
Horsemanship for Heroes: Wounded Warriors On July 25th, a group of Wounded Warriors and their family support members gathered to be the first to use the newly revealed obstacle course at Windrush Farm. After the group had an introduction to the horses and horsemanship, they guided horses through the newly built obstacle course. The course is based on Mark Bolender’s extreme trail courses and was funded by a grant from PATH Intl. It is the only one of its kind on the North Shore and, with it; Windrush Farm can now expand the Horsemanship for Heroes program available to Veterans and their families. YouthBuild Lawrence built the course and is now being nationally recognized for their work, winning the 2015 Rowland T. Watkins YouthBuild AmeriCorps Impact Award. We are so thrilled for this incredible group and so excited to see the obstacle course in action.
SAVE THE DATE
Windrush Trophy Winners Tarr Family: For hosting 100 Holes for Charity. Jason Tarr took on 100 holes for Windrush Farm, donating 100% of the proceeds to Windrush.
Windrush Farm’s 2015 Ultimate Pairing Gala Saturday October 3rd
Gala Sponsors
Pingree School, South Hamilton, MA We will be celebrating the many pairings (relationships) that make Windrush so successful and carrying that theme through the decor, food and beverage, and program. Even our auction items will be pairings! Dress is “Boots and Bling” and we look forward to seeing how this is interpreted.
Boston Private Bank Bob’s Discount Furniture Boston Bruins Foundation Nelson Mullens Choice Graphics Was Insurance Agency, LLC Kappy’s Fine Wine and Spirits Harpoon Brewery Tito’s Vodka
Special Olympics
Holiday Barn Party
Saturday, October 17th
Wednesday, December 17th
Windrush Farm, North Andover, MA
Windrush Farm, Big Barn North Andover
Come cheer on the Special Olympics competitors and visit the farm at this year’s tournament
Join us for our annual potluck holiday barn party. Put on your holiday sweater, grab your family and come on by. Be sure to put a photo on the star wall.
FALL CALENDAR September 14: October 12: November 11: Nov. 25- Dec. 1st: December 18:
Beginning Fall Session Columbus Day Closed Veterans Day Closed Thanksgiving Break Closed Last Day of Fall Session
Michael Prince: For donating his photography, time and talent to film our gala video this year. Visit www.michaelprince.com YouthBuild Lawrence: For completing all the work of our new obstacle course and getting national recognition with the 2015 Rowland T. Watkins YouthBuild Americorp Imapct Award, for their community service work at Windrush Farm. Summer Volunteers: For helping with our summer programing. Every minute has been invaluable to the success of our program. Essex County Co-op: For hosting our FillA-Trailer event this past spring. It was hugely successful and we are so thankful for the local support and donations. Rock for Meg: Marblehead Community Charter School and the Sheehy Family for hosting this successful event, in honor of Megan Sheehy and donating all proceeds to Windrush Farm. Weekend Working Volunteers: For consistently donating their time and weekends so that the horses can be well cared for everyday of the week!
What makes a great therapy horse? There are ideal qualities needed for a great therapy horse. Our horses have to meet these golden attributes. There are certainly exceptions but only for the right horse... Tolerant Our horses need to be very patient and kind with legs, arms and voices that might not work as well as they would like.
Size Our sidewalkers can’t help our clients if horses are too tall. 16 hands is pretty much our limit, and those under 14 hands are not as useful because we don’t have many small riders.
Body Type Gaits Our clients need horses that move symmetrically. If a horse is unbalanced or uneven that passes on to our clients and does not help them with their balance or symmetry.
Horses that can carry weight for their height are very useful. We need solid horses that stand well over 14 hands and have necks that aren’t too short.
If you or someone you know has a horse that would like this job, contact Josselyn at jo@windrushfarm.org
Thank you from our Pony Pals
Sound
Many people offer us horses that can no longer work very hard. We need sound horses that are even in their movement so they can help our clients who are ready to become independent and learn how to trot and canter.
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID NO. READING, MA PERMIT NO. 96
Windrush farm
THERA P EUTIC EQUITATIO N , IN C .
479 Lacy Street North Andover, Massachusetts 01845
Great Summer Moments!
www.windrushfarm.org