September, 2021
NCEFT Hoof Beats Newsletter
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PEACE, LOVE AND HAPPINESS
Letter from Cherie Hammer, NCEFT Development Director
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As you know, NCEFT is celebrating its 50th anniversary of its founding in 1971. With a nod to these early 1970s roots, the theme at this summer's Happy Trails Camp was Peace, Love & Happiness.
It was an absolute joy to welcome 15 campers and 18 high-school and college-age buddies into a world of tie-dye, flower power, and groovy music. It felt so right to share the peace of this place we call NCEFT, the love of horses and animals, and the unbridled happiness from whizzing around in an ATV or tossing water balloons in the warm sunshine. It also was a kick to see young campers grooving to classic tunes such as, “Build Me Up Buttercup,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Lean on Me,” “Let the Sunshine In,” and “Hooked on a Feeling.”
The culmination of this year’s 50th anniversary celebration will be the annual Heroes and Horses, Jewels & Jeans Gala, held on the rescheduled date of Saturday November 6, 2021. While the date may be changed, the same great event is planned – in person in our beautiful outdoor arena. We hope you will join us at our most important fundraiser of the year to Celebrate 50 Golden Years!
Read below for many other exciting things going on at NCEFT, from a new member of our Board of Directors to the start of two Mental Health & Resilience Workshops. There is always something going on at our little ranch, but no matter what, you can be assured that it involves peace, love, and happiness - and, in our world, horses!
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Cherie Hammer, NCEFT Development Director |
Campers and their Buddies enjoying the groovy vibes of Happy Trails Camp. |
SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL PROGRAMS RESUME AFTER COVID HIATUS
Outdoor Education Learning at NCEFT
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Started in 2007, NCEFT’s Special Education School Program provides field-study learning at no cost to Special Education classes from San Mateo County elementary through high schools. We were pleased to resume this program last week after a protracted hiatus due to COVID restrictions.
The program offers an outdoor education experience to children who might otherwise never be exposed to a barn environment. For many students, this is their first visit to a barn and their first time interacting with horses.
Students come for a series of four 2-hour sessions, rotating through activities including a horseback ride that utilizes principles of adaptive riding, an arts and crafts project, a ride on the ATV, and even a carriage ride drawn by our miniature horse. NCEFT offers roughly eight 4-week sessions (one day per week) per school year, serving dozens of students.
The program is structured so that, regardless of ability, all students receive an experience that is meaningful, educational, and fun. Additionally, the continuity of four weeks of exposure to the same people and horses allows the children to form memorable connections. They develop confidence and social skills that are appropriate to a new environment, and they learn that respect is the basis for forming a relationship with both horses and humans.
If you would like to support NCEFT’s Special Education School Program, you can make a donation here:
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Special Education student enjoying meeting Aldi and learning about horses and our barn! |
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NCEFT'S GALA DATE RESCHEDULED TO NOV 6
Same great event, just a new night!
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Join us Saturday November 6, 2021 to mark NCEFT's 50th anniversary of providing life-changing programs for children and adults with disabilities and challenges. The Heroes and Horses, Jewels & Jeans Gala is NCEFT’s largest fundraiser with all proceeds directly benefitting our equine-assisted programs.
The Gala will be a Celebration of 50 Golden Years! Our outdoor, covered arena will be filled with sparkling lights, flowers, delicious food and wine, and the hearts of NCEFT’s supporters. Attendees will be treated to a barn open house, 3-course dinner, informational program, auction and a very special fund-a-need.
The Gala will be held with the utmost concern for the safety of our attendees and event staff. The following protocols will be in place:
- All Gala attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination or negative test within 72 hours for entry.
- All attendees will be encouraged to wear masks except when actively eating or drinking. Event and catering staff will be masked at all times and wear gloves.
- The Gala is an outdoor event, and tables will be spread out for distance in between.
Get your tickets today! We welcome Gala Sponsors and Underwriters, as well as donations of items for our Auction, Wine Pull and Mystery Boxes. Click the buttons below to donate.
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TWO RESILIENCE WORKSHOPS STARTING LATER THIS MONTH
STRIDES & Healing with the Herd Signups Open!
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New sessions of our Mental Health & Resilience Workshops are slated to begin at the end of September. These Workshops are held at our 12-acre facility with one or more licensed mental health professionals, a peer mentor, and an equine expert. Activities with horses are specifically designed to address the needs and challenges of each individual within the group in order to ensure progress toward the goals outlined by the participants and staff.
Our STRIDES Resilience Workshop is for adolescents, especially those experiencing anxiety and overwhelm. Through exploring and developing relationships with people and horses, this Workshop encourages participants to develop a positive and healthy sense of self. Signups and more information can be found at: https://nceft.org/services/mhr/strides/
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Our Healing With The Herd Resilience Workshop is for women who have experienced cancer diagnosis and treatment. The Workshop provides a safe place where cancer patients can talk to mental-health professionals and each other about the impact this disease has had on their lives while having new, meaningful experiences. Watch this information video to learn more: |
Watch Healing With the Herd Informational Video |
NCEFT WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER
Donna Barulich joins NCEFT Board
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In August, the NCEFT Board of Directors welcomed its newest member, Donna Barulich. A native Californian, Donna was a passionate and dedicated Registered Nurse, serving for over 25 years at San Mateo County General Hospital. Now retired, she continues to fulfill her passion for the sciences and teamwork. For over six years, she served on the Board of Directors of Caminar, a peninsula organization dedicated to mental health care and services.
Donna has long worked with animals starting at age 18 when she oversaw the exotic animals (cheetahs, lion, and tiger cubs) at Marine World, then, located in Belmont. This love for animals later transitioned to farm and ranch livestock and horses. Unfortunately, because of a life-threatening horse accident, Donna no longer rides. But there is no quit in this cowgirl! The opportunity to work again with horses, passionate people, and applied science is a calling - a calling answered by Donna's grateful acceptance to serve on NCEFT’s dedicated board.
On the personal side of life, Donna is happiest traveling with her husband whenever and wherever she can, spending time with their grown children and new granddaughter, reading avidly, and cooking up a storm in her kitchen. We welcome Donna and look forward to her leadership and guidance.
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STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Paige Taylor, Occupational Therapist
Paige joined NCEFT’s therapy team in July, quickly learning the ropes and beginning to onboard OT clients. A California native, Paige received her Master's degree in OT at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, CA. She had previous experience working at similar ranches that incorporate hippotherapy and fell in love with the unique use of equine movement. She is very passionate about the use of animals as a modality in OT and hopes to continue to expand on the benefits of the human and animal connection at NCEFT. Welcome Paige!
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We recently caught up with Paige to find out a little more about her:
Cherie: Where were you born?
Paige: Long Beach, CA.
C: How long have you been with NCEFT?
P: Since July, 2021, but I have been interested in and following NCEFT since moving to the Bay Area about a year ago.
C: What's the most unique job you have ever had?
P: I think this is the most unique job I have ever had! I am so excited to continue to grow as a clinician in such a niche OT field.
C: Chocolate or Vanilla?
P: Everything chocolate, definitely!
C: What's your favorite horse color?
P: Chestnut
C: What is your favorite non-horse-related activity?
P: Hiking is my favorite.
C: iPhone or Android?
P: iPhone
C: What is the last book you read?
P: The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal
C: Favorite cartoon character?
P: Marie from the Aristocats!
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VOLUNTEERS BACK IN ACTION
NCEFT's Volunteer Corps Is Back!
Labor Day weekend rung in the last “HOORAH” of summer, and we are now gearing up for the fall. We recently welcomed in nearly twenty new side-walker volunteers and one new barn helper! Since June, NCEFT has successfully held five side-walker training sessions, meeting many new faces with an incredible dedication to our mission and clients and a passion for working around horses.
Volunteers are the real powerhouses behind our organization. Whether you are interested in being a side-walker, gardener, or contributing to our facility maintenance, we welcome your talents and skills. As our schedule fills out, we will need help from our incredible community of volunteers. To join this great crew, please visit our website to learn more and submit your volunteer application today!
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Volunteers are essential to NCEFT's therapy and adaptive riding sessions, to maintaining our facility and helping at events. |
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