The Windrush Blog

The REINBOW THERAPY Connection

The REINBOW THERAPY Connection
at Windrush Farm

March, 2007 was the beginning of a special connection; Windrush Farm opened wide its barn doors to Reinbow Therapy - a program which provides occupational therapy services in a hippotherapy setting.

Over the past two years, a wonderful connection between Reinbow and Windrush Farm has developed. I am so lucky and honored to be part of this amazing team who works together so diligently in providing both the best care for their equines and top quality services to the community.

I can't thank you enough, Windrush, for allowing Reinbow Therapy to be part of your team. I have seen firsthand the special partnerships between Windrush's equines and special needs children develop and flourish.

These bonds have been foundational in working together to reach specific therapy goals in a fun and intrinsically motivating environment. Also, it is wonderful to hear time and time again from the families that hippotherapy has truly made a difference in their child's ability to function within their family and community.

For more information about Reinbow Therapy, please visit Web.mac.com/reinbowtherapy or contact Monica Wu MS OTR/L directly at 339 206-0110.

Love and Nickers,  Monica

Through Thick and Thin

This is the story of two extraordinary men, a friendship that spans almost 60 years, horses, heroes, cancer and service to others.

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of being in the company of Bill Niland and Paul Grillo, you have my sympathy. Each Wednesday morning, they join us at the farm in our on going volunteer “Manure Management Program” which is code for picking the paddocks. One’s sense of humor feeds off the others’, the jokes are always corny and the mood is always upbeat despite the multitude of life altering medical issues they both endure that would curl your hair or worse, cause it to fall out!

Bill is battling a rare form of jaw cancer that requires another surgical procedure with an extended recovery period, and Paul, while serving as a medic in Vietnam with the Green Berets, suffered a traumatic brain injury leaving him with a form of Epilepsy and unable to drive. Bill picks Paul up each Wednesday morning and together they make the trip to Windrush to volunteer their time and talents. Afterwards they visit local landmarks Paul might otherwise miss.

THE SECRET TO CORPORATE SUCCESS: HORSES

For Immediate Release:

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH 1,200 POUND FACILITATOR
Boxford, Mass. (March 24, 2008) –Windrush Farm of Boxford and North Andover has been selected by Kagan Associates, LLC of Rockport as their venue for offering HorseSense to the Greater Boston area.

HorseSense is a unique and powerful program for professional development where the primary facilitators have four legs, a gentle soul, and weigh about 1200 pounds.

HorseSense is based on the relatively new field of Equine Assisted Professional Development (EAPD), an increasingly popular and effective method for enhancing leadership, managerial, and team skills through groundwork, play, and arena exercises with horses.  (pictured right, Leslie with Romeo)

Cash Raffle! 50/50 to support Windrush, get your tickets!

 

Cash Raffle - Get your ticket, today!

$5 for one (1) cash raffle ticket $5.00$20 for five (5) cash raffle tickets $20.00$40 for ten (10) cash raffle tickets $40.00$60 for fifteen (15) cash raffle tickets $60.00$80 for twenty (20) cash raffle tickets $80.00$100 for twenty-five(25) cash raffle tickets $100.00$160 for forty (40) cash raffle tickets $160.00$200 for fifty (50) cash raffle tickets $200.00

Doug Cross Clinics Continue

Weekly clinics with natural horseman, Doug Cross, continue at Windrush. (Read earlier post)

 If you are interested in participating, be sure to email Gina@windrushfarm.org for more info.

Model Horse Show : June 6 @ Farm Day

Our friend, Rachael is at it again. The Breyer Model Horse Show will be held on June 6 (Farm Day) at Windrush Farm.

Here's a Q & A with Rachael to find out more...

What exactly is the Breyer Model Horse Show?
The Breyer Model show is a place where all model horse lovers can come together to raise money for a great cause. Typically recommended for children, participants will have the opportunity to show their model horses in a series of events.

How did you come up with the idea?
As a child, I LOVED model horses. I was an avid collector and used to go to model horse shows.

Save the Date: Dances with Horses Gala - November 7

Save the date! This year's Dances with Horses Gala will be held on Saturday, November 7 @ the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge.

This is our largest fundraiser and allows us to continue operations. We are in the planning stages. Do you have an item you could donate to the auction? Or do you own a business or work for a company that would purchase an ad in our program? How about a corporate sponsorship? A table of 10 at the gala makes a great holiday present for employees!

But most importantly, we hope to see you there.  Tell all your friends and join us!

Read more!

Check out photos from 2008!

We want your help going GREEN!

In an effort the save the environment (and energy costs) we are investigating options for installing solar panels on top of our indoor arena. Solar energy is clean, renewable and good for the environment.

Preliminary research shows that the cost for these solar panels would be $200,000 and by installing these panels we would be saving more than $11,000 each year.

We know that there are grants available for ‘green projects’. That’s where you come in. Is anyone familiar with this process? Would someone like to spearhead this imitative? Got any ideas? Email me.

An interview with the ‘Inspirational Leadership Award’ Recipient, Matti Burns (age 13)

Matti, age 13, has been a leader in the Windrush Community for half her life! Her next project is hosting a tack sale booth at the Equine Expo. All proceeds from her sales will benefit the disabled riders at Windrush. Be sure to stop by at the expo, purchase a few things, and say hi to Matti!

Q. Tell me a little bit about yourself
A. I am 13, live in Boxford, attend the Pike School in Andover and have 4 brothers and 1 sister

Q. How did you get involved with Windrush Farm?
A. At a very young age I tagged along with my mom who was helping Windrush Farm in small ways with odd jobs. I remember cleaning out the old trailer and polishing all of the tack afterward. I have attended WFTE as a camper and I have volunteered as a camp counselor working with Pam Skinner. I have mucked stalls, and fed and groomed horses. But what I like best is working with the fundraising committee creating programs to help raise lots of money and awareness for the Windrush Therapeutic Riding Programs and all the good they do for people.

Q. What inspires you to give back?
Every Community needs leaders to help others in their town, and I felt I should step up and be one of those leaders in Boxford.