We are so excited that we have new phones in the office! We appreciate your patience as we have struggled with our phone system for quite some time. Our main number has not changed (262-882-3470).
Our new PHONE MENU options are as follows:
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**PLEASE READ!**
If you are a student or volunteer calling to CANCEL for class, PRESS 5. This will direct you to a general voicemail box that every staff member can access. Please do not leave a voicemail for Katie L. or Katie B. directly if you are cancelling for class! If they are out of the office, that message will not be received until they are back. Thank you for your cooperation!
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Effective July 13, 2021, the SMILES Board of Directors approved a change in our current mask policy. For individuals who are vaccinated, a mask is not required. For individuals who are not vaccinated, it is recommended that you wear a mask indoors. SMILES will not ask you for your vaccine status and we are operating on the honor system. Please be considerate of those around you, regardless of your opinions related to the vaccine and the COVID-19 pandemic. Please remember that asking others about their personal health choices is not appropriate. |
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Through a very generous donation from a friend of SMILES, We would like to officially welcome our newest therapy horse “Chili” to the barn! Chili is an east coast fella, coming to us from New Jersey where he was used as a lesson and trail horse. He is a 13-year-old Quarter Horse gelding who is on the shorter/stout side which will be great for future side-walking duty!! He is filled with personality and wants to be friends with anybody who will give him a minute of their time. We are very excited to see how his trial period goes. Hopefully he will be joining our Fall Session roster if all goes well! |
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Also joining the Fall Session roster is Freckles, a Quarter Horse-Cross gelding! Freckles came to us with Chili, where he was used for trail riding out east. His stature is tall and lean making him a helpful addition to the herd to take over some of Django’s old riders! His quiet and laid-back personality will be great for building confidence both with new volunteers and students. We are thrilled to have Freckles and Chili joining the team for what looks like will be a VERY busy Fall Session! |
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A special thank you to Nick Schrader from Royal Basket Trucks for making this video at no cost to SMILES! |
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Check out our New Video!
We have a new volunteer video!! We unveiled this video at the 2021 golf outing, and it was so much fun to see! We added it to our YouTube Channel, so please take a look! Thank you to all of the volunteers and clients who "smiled for the camera" and helped us create a beautiful, engaging video! Please feel free to share this with anyone interested in becoming a SMILES volunteer!
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New Volunteer Training!
Are you interested in becoming a SMILES volunteer? Or maybe you know someone who might be interested? Join us for the Fall Session! We will need to fill over 150 volunteer assignments each week, so we would love to have more volunteers join our team! Fall Session is September 27-November 27, and we will have classes Monday-Saturday. We are offering 2 trainings during September:
Thursday, September 9: 5pm-8pm
Saturday, September 11: 9am-12pm
Please fill out the form using the link below to RSVP for a training slot. No horse experience is required! *Volunteers must be at least 15 years old.
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Can YOU Help SMILES? - New Volunteer Opportunities
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Join the Santa Cause Event Committee
SMILES was accepted as a new charity to receive funding through Santa Cause in 2021. “Santa Cause is a super charity, supporting existing charities in Walworth County referred to as: “The Charities of Christmas” & performs Random Acts of Kindness throughout our community." Santa Cause is the host of the William's Bay Farmer's Market, Freezing for a Reason and the Charities of Christmas Tree Festival. You can learn more about the Santa Cause organization through their website.
We need your help to make it a success! We are looking for a committee of individuals who would be interested in helping SMILES solidify our Tree Festival theme, booth and prizes. This is a very important part of the process and determines the amount of funding we will receive. If you're interested in participating in the committee, you can fill out the form here.
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Website Assistance
Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity you can do from home? Well, look no further! We are in need of a volunteer who is able to help us keep our WordPress website up-to-date. The amount of content you would be creating would be up to you - as little or as much as you might want! Our critical need is for someone to update current sections of the site (we can provide the content), help us launch our merchandise store and more!
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Upcoming Events
SMILES County Fair Horse Show
Friday, September 3
Superstar Student Horse Show and Open House
Saturday, September 18
Fall Session
September 27 - November 27
Miles for SMILES and Breakfast at the Barn
Saturday, October 23
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The Mane Event was a Huge Success! |
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Thank you for the amazing support during our "Mane Event" Golf outing. We raised over $70,000 thanks to your generosity!
To view photos from the
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Thank You!
Your generosity made it possible for us to purchase our new SureHands Lift! We couldn't have done it without you! See the new lift in action below with riders Brooke (top) and Amanda (bottom)
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Register Now for the 2021 SMILES County Fair Horse Show! |
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SMILES County Fair Horse Show
Friday, September 3
We look forward to seeing you at Fair Horse Show at the Walworth County Fairgrounds!
To register for class and to submit your coggins click HERE!
To view photos from our July Open Benefit Horse Show click HERE
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Are you ready for the 2021 Miles for SMILES 5K? |
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Come Run With The Horses!
Our unique event is one of a kind, starting with Breakfast in the Barn followed by a fun run/walk 5K with the horses and followed by a team obstacle course challenge and costume contest. Plus much more!!
Register to participate HERE for the online form
Or Click HERE to download the paper registration form.
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Apples for the Wild Stallion |
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"An enchanting story about a teenage boy who has autism and cannot speak but develops a mystical relationship with a wild, white stallion. Besides realistically portraying difficulties people with disabilities experience, Davis also delves into the very real world of cattle rustling, the discrimination people of color face, and the plight of wild horses in the American west. This is a poignant and enlightening tale for anyone to read."
- From a review in the Peninsula Pulse
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Signed Copies Available at SMILES! |
The author, Thomas Davis, graciously donated signed copies of his book to benefit SMILES! Books are $15 and when purchased at SMILES, all proceeds benefit our organization!
Exciting to note, our therapy horse, Junior (who is currently looking for his new forever home!) is featured on the cover with his student, Joey! The book, written by Joey's grandfather, is fictional, but is based on the real life of Joey and his experiences living with autism.
Thomas Davis will be on site at SMILES on Saturday, September 18 during our Superstar Student Horse Show and Open House! Be sure to stop by, purchase a copy of the book and meet the author!
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Do you have a story about SMILES? |
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We want to hear from you! |
We are always looking for great stories about how SMILES has positively impacted you or a loved one! You might be a program participant, a volunteer, or a family member of someone who is! No matter who you are, we want to hear those stories that tell us why you keep coming back to SMILES.
If you would prefer to share your story by phone or email, you can contact Kim Good (Executive Director) directly at:
smiles@smilestherapeuticriding.org 262-882-3470, option 4
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SMILES YouTube Channel - new! |
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While you're checking out the new volunteer video, be sure to check out the new SMILES YouTube Channel and be sure to subscribe! |
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SMILES transcends traditional therapeutic methods by offering individuals with special needs the joy of participating in an equine-assisted program which provides social, emotional, physical and personal rewards. |
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