EQUU8 HORSEMANSHIP AND THERAPEUTIC RIDING

Program:
EQUU8 will provide individualized and group therapeutic riding sessions based on each participant's specific needs and goals, by working alongside parents, caregivers, volunteers, educators and health professionals. We will optimize existing resources while providing participants with new and enhanced experiences. Instructors will expand their own training and education each year by maintaining certifications and continuing to advance their skills in the fields of disability education and horsemanship in order to provide the highest level of quality services..

Facility:
EQUU8 seeks to ensure that human and equines are provided safe land use and we will continue to position our resources to support its programs into the future. Assist in acquiring footing for one of our Big Bear facility arenas for safety of our participants, volunteers, and instructors.

Finance:
EQUU8 seeks to create a financial model which will support growth and innovation, in order to become sustainable into the future. Some immediate goals are: pay for our certified instructors, an equine care fund for emergencies and retirement, and a robust scholarship fund for financially strained participants benefiting from the program.

Board of Directors:
EQUU8's small board of directors has goals of diversifying and expanding, in order to provide the leadership needed to fulfill the mission.

Program:
Even as we continue to improve our facilities, EQUU8 utilizes our existing Expand training and education activities to include distance education and, in the long term, development of EQUU8 branded mentoring and equine management consultation courses, which could provide a reliable revenue stream in support of operations.

Facility
Conduct organizational inquiries and capacity analysis to identify constraints in all areas
and respond by developing and implementing an optimal resource model. Seek funding for capital improvements, including naming opportunities for larger structures like a covered arena.

Finance:
Analyze present and projected expenses to identify and implement ways to increase efficiency. Address funding gaps, including grants, optimization of the scholarship policies, expand fund development efforts, and identify new revenue generating activities.

Board of Directors
Examine and ensure that the composition and activities of the Board are aligned with the needs of the organization. Provide ongoing education, training, and planning. Increase diversity on the Board for community involvement and philanthropy.

Program Capabilities
Confirming our commitment to excellency, EQUU8 therapeutic riding instructors are required to maintain certifications through PATH International, which includes disability education as well as horsemanship and riding skills education.

1. EQUU8 has met the goal of adding instructors. While our founder Suzanne Hodges achieved her Advanced Level Therapeutic Riding certification, she also mentored two PATH International instructors in training to their Registered Level certifications. This required mentoring for both riding skills and equine management and education on effective teaching techniques for riders with disabilities. Both instructors (certified in 2016 and 2017) teach at EQUU8.

2. EQUU8 has met the goal of finding facilities at both locations. As of June 2018, both our Murrieta and Big Bear therapeutic riding centers are donated. EQUU8 Murrieta's 2 acres are donated by a teacher from the Murrieta School District. EQUU8 Big Bear operates at the nearly 30 acre Bear Valley Farms, at no charge to the nonprofit organization, including feed, board, and use of all arenas and horse facilities. Access to national forest trails and breathtaking views make EQUU8 Big Bear and ideal location for retreats and a quiet atmosphere for In addition, proceeds from horse-related activities at Bear Valley Farms are donated to EQUU8.

3. Wheelchair Accessible Mounting Ramps have been acquired and are available at both locations, and were purchased in 2016 and 2017 by funds raised on social media and at EQUU8 events.

4. EQUU8 successfully ran a pilot program for at-risk children in the Bear Valley Unified School District, where some students were able to move back into mainstream education and many of them found acceptance in a group struggling with PTSD, anger disorders, and bullying.

5. EQUU8 successfully began a contracted with active duty military dealing with various types of trauma. After serving the unit for two years, EQUU8 has been asked for a four-year contract into 2022.