Issue 42 February 2015

Mark your calendars!

Course A Student & Volunteer Dates

January 5 - March 29, 2015 Student & Volunteer Openings

Available!

Open Arena Riding Bring your horse out and ride in the large indoor arena! Go

to the HETRA Website to sign up for days & times

SAVE THE DATE!

Blue Jeans & Dreams May 2, 2015

Host Couple: Jamie & Ted Friedland & Event Sponsor

The Friedland Family Foundation

SAVE THE DATE!

Little Britches Horse Show August 15, 2015

Interested in touring the

new Gretna Barn? Go to events page of HETRA

The Heartland Hoofbeat Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy

Follow us on Social Media

Making Gretna Our New Home

HETRA

10130 S. 222nd St.

Gretna, NE 68028

(402) 359-8830

www.HETRA.org

As many of you know, in June of 2014,

HETRA moved from two separate barns in

Valley and Omaha to one central, larger

location in Gretna. This move has been key

to our continued growth and success in

providing equine assisted therapies and

activities that improve the quality of life

both physically and emotionally of adults

and children with disabilities. Our new 25

acre location is well suited for expanded

programing in Hippotherapy, Therapeutic

Riding, Therapeutic Carriage Driving, Day Camps, and much more. HETRA is proud to

announce our initial fundraising efforts have been met with several generous and crucial

grants and donations.

Mustaches for Kids Omaha granted $251,000, which included a “Flash Match” of $5000

from the Friedland Family Foundation. The Mustaches for Kids donation enabled

HETRA to sign a lease for the property and supported the initial expenses of the move.

The Harper Family Foundation has awarded HETRA a grant for $175,000. This has

been allocated for the down payment on the new HETRA property.

With winter upon us, it was crucial to make several improvements to our indoor arena to

ensure the safety and comfort of all involved in HETRA sessions. To this cause, the

HDR Foundation has generously donated $81,550 to fund the heating and insulation of

our indoor arena. TRK Construction, a company based out of Kansas City, MO, was

one of the first to donate. They made an in-kind donation of the design and installation

of our ADA accessible men’s and women’s restrooms in the barn. The donation was

valued at $46,000.The Perrigo Company Charitable Foundation came to the “stable”

with a $10,950 grant. The Merck Foundation gave a $2,125 grant. Both of these

wonderful grants were allocated to the new Outpatient Therapy Clinic. Larry the Cable

Guy’s Foundation, Git-R-Done, got it done with a $6,900 donation toward the new

outdoor electric water sources. This will ensure our therapy horses stay well hydrated all

year long.

The commitment of so many individuals, foundations, and companies to donate

equipment, skills and services to HETRA’s Program and Facility Expansion Project has

been tremendous. Our need for a new tractor was met with a generous donation from

HETRA volunteer Mike Teal. He donated a refurbished 1953 Ford Jubilee which

enables us to rake and drag the indoor arena so that the footing is level and safe.

Likewise, HETRA volunteer Stan Wattnem has enhanced the safety and security of our

barn by installing lights at our main entrance as well as to the outdoor horse pens. This

allows people and horses to move around safely in the evening.

If you are interested in learning more about HETRA’ s Program & Facility Expansion

Campaign, please contact Jodi Teal at Jodi@HETRA.org or (402) 359-8830.

The HETRA Tack Shack is

now open! We are stocked

with many great items!

Open: Mon - Thurs 9:00am -

8:00pm, Friday 9:00 - 4:00

Issue 42 February 2015

Special Thanks

A special THANK YOU to the following foundations, grants, businesses and individuals who made the following

donations:

The Becker Family Foundation and The Swanson Foundation for their generous donations supporting HETRA.

American Quarter Horse Foundation provided funding for American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) Training to be conducted on site for therapists this fall.

PATH, Intl & US Department of Veteran’s Affairs for funding 40 Veteran Equine Service for Heroes sessions.

American National Bank, Gretna Branch, for raising funds for our Drive to Ride Teams, supporting student sponsorships.

EQUI-TEE MFG donated 3 “state of the art” manure forks, which come in handy for cleaning stalls.

HETRA Executive Director, Edye Godden accepts a

gift from American National Bank, Gretna.

HETRA Honored to Introduce Two New Board of Directors Members

HETRA is pleased to announce the newest appointments to the board of directors: Alex Hayes and Dr. Lynn

O’Hanlon. Both appointments to the HETRA Board bring new experience and expertise to our program and

facilities.

Retired Police Chief Alex Hayes was hired in October of 2013 by Mutual of Omaha as the Corporate Director of

Physical Security. Prior to accepting this position, Alex served on the Omaha Police Department. Over the course of

his career, Alex has supervised and commanded the Homicide Unit, Crime Analysis Unit, and Narcotics/Intelligence

Unit. He has worked in the Gang Unit, Uniform Patrol and Child Victim/ Sexual Assault Unit. Alex has a Bachelor’s

Degree in Criminal Justice from Bellevue University and is a graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute.

Dr. Lynn O’Hanlon graduated from UNMC, and completed her pediatric residency and sub-specialized in

neonatology at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO. Her family moved back to the Omaha metro area and

now live on an acreage where they raise horses, sheep, and an assortment of other animals. Lynn has a son working

and attending school in Florida, and a daughter in middle school who has a passion for horse jumping.

“I am honored to join HETRA’s board because I believe full heartedly in their mission,” Lynn expressed. “In my

career as a neonatologist, I take care of fragile infants many of whom will go on to require long term PT/OT therapy

because of their newborn experience.” Lynn also owns horses and knows firsthand the physical and psychological

benefits of interacting with horses.

Cory has been riding with HETRA since 2011. When he started, Cory required two side

walkers and a leader during his lessons. Since then, Cory has progressed so much that he requires a leader only for his warm ups and rides independently at the walk and trot for most of the lesson.

Over the years, all of his instructors have seen significant improvement in Cory’s balance, posture, and patience. He loves to show off his skills to everyone who comes to see him ride. In August Cory proved what a great rider he has become by winning gold and bronze medal at Nebraska Special Olympics for independent walk only stock seat and independent walk only trail.

Everyone at HETRA is so proud of how hard Cory has worked to become the rider he is today. Keep up the good work, Cory!

Student Success Story

Issue 42 February 2015

HETRA is pleased to coordinate life skills training opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Our HETRA facility provides wonderful, meaningful and engaging opportunities for adults with disabilities to get on the job training as well as experience in a work environment. Life Skills training helps clients improve their skill set, expand their comfort zone, and allow them to contribute to the community. HETRA is presently working in collaboration with Integrated Life Choices. ILC clients are learning about daily job responsibilities at HETRA including everything from cleaning stalls and tack as well as the operation of our Tack Shack. Under the supervision of HETRA’s vocational coordinator and ILC job coaches, clients receive a tutorial, perform a variety of assignments, and follow a checklist of responsibilities and duties during their life skills session. ILC clients are demonstrating responsibility and determination; performing duties with great care to completion. Ultimately, the goal of life skills and vocational training is for the client to learn the skills and personal interaction protocols of the work environment, and to be able to apply those skills so they may transition from requiring a job coach present to independence on the job site. If you are an organization who works with adults with disabilities and are interested in learning more about HETRA’s life skill training opportunities, please contact Cassie Ford, at cassie@hetra.org. HETRA would also like to thank Meyer Foundation for Disabilities for funding HETRA staff salaries for this pilot program.

Life Skills Training Program begins with Integrated Life Choices

Drive to Ride Teams raise funds for Student Sponsorship The 2014 Drive to Ride Campaign raised an impressive $43,618 this year, all from the efforts of our student families. They reached out to the community, their friends, co-workers and businesses to raise these much needed dollars which support the Student Sponsorship Program. At HETRA, no student will ever be turned away due to their financial situation or inability to pay. The Student Sponsorship Program enables HETRA to reduce the cost per participant significantly. All students that participated in the Drive to Ride campaign received one free sessions for use in 2015.

Thank you to ALL of our Drive to Ride Teams. Your support and efforts made a difference, not just for your team, but for all HETRA students. Thank you!

Team Drew: $31,305 Team Ethan: $5,020 Team Logan: $2,025 Team Molly: $2,000 Team Jack: $1,350 Team Matt: $413 Team Mariah: $340

Team Daniel: $270 Team Arslan: $140 Team Alexis: $135 Team Tristan: $100 Team Gracie: $100 Team Caroline: $80 Team Marissa: $75

Team Zane: $70 Team Maddie: $65 Team Payton: $65 Team Mariyka: $40 Team Lauren: $25

ILC Clients cleaning saddles

Drew participating in a Hippotherapy Session

Volunteer and Student Recognition Party a HUGE success There was much jubilation at the 2015 HETRA Volunteer and Student party on Saturday, January 17th held at the American Legion in Gretna. With over 150 people in attendance, students, families, volunteers, and staff came together to celebrate an incredible year of success and progress. All HETRA students were presented with a trophy and certificate for their participation, progress, and positive attitudes over the past year. Way to go, students! All volunteers were able to convert their cumulated hours to use to “purchase” silent auction items. A very special thanks to all of our parents, families, businesses, and instructors who brought in gifts for the silent auction! All of you helped us show our volunteers just how much they mean to you, and to HETRA!

Congratulations to the following Volunteer of the Year Recipients for outstanding service in 2014

New Volunteer of the Year: Janelle DePuydt Adult Volunteers of the Year: Maggie Kock and Karen Jorgensen

Youth Volunteer of the Year (18 under): Lauren Patzke Barn Volunteer of the Year: Julie Lagemann

Family of the Year volunteer awards were presented to: The Wattnam Family (Stan and Sheryl) and The Kopsa Family (James, Sarah, and Maria).

Awards were also presented to volunteers that turned in 100 + hours of volunteer service in 2014.

Thank you to all our volunteers, we could not do this without you!

Issue 42 February 2015

Save the Date!!

Blue Jeans & Dreams

May 2, 2015

10130 S. 222nd Street

Gretna, NE 68028

Raising Awareness and Dollars to Support HETRA’s Therapy Horses

The HETRA Horse of the Year (HOTY!) Race is off and running. The dedicated volunteers, student families, and

staff are working hard to raise dollars to help subsidize the annual cost of health care, nutrition, and training for our Therapy Horses ($3,600 / horse / year).

All HETRA sessions are a TEAM effort with several PATH, Int. certified riding instructors and licensed therapists conducting sessions. The fact is, we simply could not do what we do without the highly skilled, trained, and patient HETRA horses that serve as the backbone of our mission. The horse’s rhythmic, repetitive movements work to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, strength, coordination, flexibility, cognitive skills, and self-esteem of every HETRA student.

The Horse of the Year Race is a fun opportunity for everyone to get involved in the efforts to financially support the herd of 15 therapy horses. Each horse has a team with a goal of raising a minimum of $1,000 for their horse. Your generous donation to any of the HETRA Horses will impact their efforts significantly. The team that raises the most money during this fundraising event will be crowned with the esteemed and coveted title of “Horse of the Year” at Blue Jeans and Dreams on Saturday, May 2nd at HETRA.

Please join the race and give our Teams a boost in reaching their goal! You can visit the HETRA website at www.HETRA.org to place your vote or view more about our HETRA herd and this year’s Team Slogans:

2015 “Horse of the Year” Race

Charm: Sound the Alarm. . . Vote for Charm! Diamond: Shine bright, like a Diamond! Jessie: Jessie up! Molly: Marvelous Molly Mini Horses: Mini but Mighty! Rainbow: Help fill the pot at the end of the Rainbow Red: Move Ahead with Red! Rocky: Join ROCKY on his HOTY tour!

Shetan: Super Shetan! Smokey: Remember, ONLY YOU can help Smokey win HOTY! Stoney: Stoney Rocks! Sugar: Sugar: the most important ingredient in any recipe Ted: Don’t be Misled. . . Vote for Ted! Trixie Don’t be Risky . . . Vote for Trixie! Waldo: Where’s Waldo’s Winnings?