2010 Annual Report

Where horses and you make dreams come true!

Dear HETRA Supporters, “Thrive” – to progress towards a goal despite of circumstances. This is the best way I can describe HETRA as an organization and our awesome HETRA students!!! HETRA has not only survived the difficult economy but we continue to “thrive” – completing more sessions, logging more volunteers hours and seeing more students in 2010 than past years. Our students also continue to “thrive” by progressing towards goals of greater independence both in and outside the arena!! I can’t believe that we just completed 21 years of service to the greater Metro Omaha area. I have personally witnessed 20 of these years and I am truly amazed at how far the organization has come, how many individual student goals I have seen achieved and the countless smiles from students, families, volunteers and staff I have witnessed out at the barns. I have always known how much the students benefit from the program but it amazes me to see how everyone associated – volunteers, staff, families also

benefit from their time at the barns. The economy has not improved tremendously, but the generosity of the HETRA supporters and the dedication of the HETRA staff and volunteers never waivers. Each of these individuals play a vital role in helping our students reach their goals and achieve a greater level of independence. I want to thank each and every one of you for your time, talents and financial support of the organization. HETRA has always been a grass roots organization and we would not have survived these difficult times without your contributions. Here are just a few examples of how we have “thrived” in 2010:

HETRA became a NARHA Premier Accredited Center. This is a review process by NAHRA (the national organization that oversees programs like ours) that the HETRA underwent to verify that we are adhering to the highest standards of safety and programming in our industry. I am happy to report that we passed with flying colors!!

Horses for Heroes Pilot Program . Thanks to a dedicated group of HETRA staff and volunteers the HETRA Horses for Heroes

Program kicked off in September with 4 participants. Two of these completed the full 8 week course and have continued on in the program. This program is designed to benefit Veterans physically, mentally and emotionally through their interaction with the horse and the HETRA team of therapists, instructors and volunteers.

HETRA’s Board of Director’s welcomed two members. Kim Falk joined the HETRA Board and has brought enthusiasm and input

from a parent’s perspective. Steve Henthorn, one of the founding members of HETRA, has returned as a barn volunteer and a leader on our Board.

The Omaha Barn underwent much appreciated improvements in 2010. A new loafing shed for the horses was constructed by

volunteers and funded by project specific donations. An Eagle Scout project was also completed where volunteers added a sliding door between the stall barn and arena. This helps decrease distractions, keep heat in the arena during the winter months and improve overall safety.

The space above the Valley barn was transformed into an official HETRA office. Having a space to conduct meetings and

everyday operations of the organization has gone a long way to improving the communication between staff and the community.

We were able to add a full time staff member to our organization. With partial funding from the Harper Foundation, Jodi Teal

joined the HETRA staff as our Development Director. This was a much needed addition to improve HETRA’s overall capacity to continue to grow and serve our amazing students and volunteers. She has truly made an impact by educating the community on HETRA services and the benefits of equine assisted activities.

Lastly, and most importantly we have seen all of the HETRA students “thrive” and meet individual goals and milestones!!! I

think HETRA instructors, including myself, could write a book on this topic. Students who are now walking as a result of their time on the horse, driving their own power wheelchairs, independently riding their horses, students who are sitting up straighter and with less support, communicating their needs better and the list just goes on and on.

I think back on 21 years of this organization and I am amazed at the passion of those who started this organization and the passion that has kept this organization “thriving”. I see the passion not only in the instructors, but in the volunteers, families and supporters of the organization. This passion remains because each of these individuals sees the small miracles that occur every session out at the barns for our students. I know HETRA will continue to “thrive” well into the future as we continue to make an impact on the amazing students of HETRA. Sincerely,

Edye Godden

HETRA Executive Director

Did you know? In 2010 there were 16 horses making up

the HETRA Herd. This consisted of 10 Quarter Horses, 3 Paint Horses, 1 Arabian, 1 Haflinger and 1 Tennessee Walker.

There were 11 Geldings in the HETRA herd and 5 Mares.

Other HETRA Facts

The HETRA Herd was fed 46,720 pounds of grain and 2339 bales of hay in 2010!

The average age of a HETRA horse is 16 years old. The oldest is 30 and the youngest is 7.

The HETRA horses worked a total of 1244 hours in 2010. They each work an average of 1 hour per day.

Horse Facts

16% of HETRA Students received scholarships in 2010.

HETRA served students in the following counties: Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders, Lancaster, Dodge, Washington & Pottawattamie

HETRA Students participated in the following HETRA programs: Therapeutic Riding - 55%

Hippotherapy - 19% Carriage Driving - 2% Horses for Heroes - 2% Public Riding - 23%

39% of the HETRA Students were Male and 61% Female

HETRA operates out of two facilities, the Omaha facility serves 54% of the HETRA students, and the Valley facility serves 46% of the HETRA students.

HETRA stands for Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy, and has been in existence since 1989.

HETRA has 3 Occupational Therapists, 1 Physical Therapist, 1 Mental Health Therapist, 1 Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, and 12 NARHA Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors on staff.

“Tuff”

NARHA Region 7 Horse of the Year

HETRA | PO Box 260, Valley, NE 68064 | (402) 359-8830 | www.HETRA.org

The V

olunt

eers

2010 Volunteers of the Year Omaha Barn: Emmett Sunde

Valley Barn: Cory Moss Volunteer Family: The Winsor Family

New Volunteer: Tami Hillyer Teen Volunteer: EJ Nolan

Jenny Henricksen Lindsay Ferguson Jan Doiel Paul Murphy Rita Borgstadt Andi Rossitto Willets Bill Winsor Deb Winsor Mitchell Winsor Jeri Anderson Beverly Ressler Tami Hillyer Samantha Heckart

Dean Dutter Connie Wichman Marlee Klco Karen Jorgenson Emily Lerdahl Matthew Elkins Inga Eanes Jessy Munderloh Diane Weier Connie Kroll Ann Hoschler EJ Nolan Kathryn Hulbert

Robin Manning Lacey Oliver Katie Stevenson Deb Wilson Amiey Elsasser Scott Curran Caryn Stichler Sarah Banner Iggie Elkins Willie Oliver Vivian Kram Vickie Wroblesi Melody Swartzfeger

Marcia Nabors Kaitlyn Thompson Angelique Nabors Jane Seu Audra Betts Connie Boesch Vica Winsor Danielle Dillon Beverly Bresette Sierra Swartzfeger Antonia Gallo-Ruback

In 2010, 235 volunteers donated a total of 12,853 hours. According to VolunteeringinAmerica.gov the national estimated dollar value of volunteer time is $20.85 per hour. Using this value, 2010 volunteer hours represent $267,985.05 in

volunteer service to HETRA!

Number of Volunteer Hours Donated

Top 50 Volunteers Based upon number of hours served

HETRA | PO Box 260, Valley, NE 68064 | (402) 359-8830 | www.HETRA.org

The Students

Number of Students Served Student Age Ranges

HETRA’s Mission is to improve the quality of live both physically and

emotionally of adults and children with disabilities through equine assisted activities.

Drew loves to ride and it shows in the sparkle of his

eyes and the spring in his step when he walks through the barn. The first time we met Drew he could only walk a few steps with the assistance of his Mom or Dad. Drew’s parents brought him to HETRA with the hopes of him walking on his own. One HETRA volunteer comments “Drew is growing physically and emotionally and is making outstanding progress. He has such a wonderful smile that will melt your heart, he makes you feel appreciated when you are sidewalking with him!” You can see the enthusiasm in his eyes and his love for horses is contagious. His grandmother recently told a story about the day she forgot Drew’s helmet

in the car. They started to exit the barn to return to the car to retrieve the helmet and Drew started crying. He was sure he was not going to get to ride and he was not very happy with that idea. Once his helmet was on his head and they were walking back to the arena, those tears started to dry and were replaced by a huge smile! When Drew started riding, walking was scary and it was much easier and faster to crawl. His physical therapists have been astonished at his accomplishments since he started riding. After riding with HETRA for just two months he was able to go from a sitting to standing position without assistance. After just four months Drew progressed from walking just a few steps with the assistance from Mom or Dad to 40 steps independently, then 70 steps, and now he is hard to keep up with! When he was asked to participate in the demonstration at HETRA’s 2010 Blue Jeans and Dreams Event, he rose to the occasion. This demonstration was a scary step for Drew, there were hundreds of people watching him, he was in a new barn, and he wasn’t riding his normal lesson horse. When Drew was cued, he walked out, turned to assist in shutting the gate, and walked right towards a horse waiting in the arena for him. He waved at the crowd as he circled the arena and performed like a true star, and brought the crowd to tears!

HETRA | PO Box 260, Valley, NE 68064 | (402) 359-8830 | www.HETRA.org

Fundraising

49%

Student Fees

30%

Donations

15%

Foundations/Grants 4%

Other 2%

Fina

ncia

l Sum

mar

y Income Expenses

60% 22%

18%

Total Income - $284,052.46 Total Expenses - $283,812.01

Total Income - $240.42

(Less Expenses)

HETRA | PO Box 260, Valley, NE 68064 | (402) 359-8830 | www.HETRA.org

The Donors Accent Nursery

Alan Althage

American Nation Bank

American National Insurance

Marlee Anderson

Jeri Anderson

Andy’s Town & Country Motor

Sales

Sataym Appadwedula

AQHA

Atchley Ford

Michelle & Jeffery Barry

David & Debra Beaudoin

Diane Bemis

Laurie Bendy

Mark & Patti Berry

Roger & Bonnie Bevington

Diane Binkly

Black Hills Nebraska Gas

Sam & Lori Bliss

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Rita Borgstadt

Meri & Jeffrey Boyer

Virginia Brewer

Les & Marie Broadbent

Jerry Caffey

Linda Cahill

Ed Carlin

Ann Cattau - SideStep

Susan Chenoweth

Lisa Choquette

Denice Coenen

ConAgra Foods

Carm Costentino

Cottonwood Pet Resort

Kris & Jessica Covi

Cox Classic

Tom Cramer

Edward & Jean Crouchley

Dustin & Tammy Cruikshank

CSSS.NET

Danny & Kathy Cummins

Scott Curran

James & Eileen Curran

Annette Wolfe

James & Sharon Derra

DMSI Software

Jan Doiel

Jamie Duckert

John & Eileen Dunham

Rick & Judy Dunham

Dean Dutter

Robert & Suzann Dutton

Timothy Dye

E & K Consulting

EBay Foundation

Edge Physical Therapy

Eletech, Inc.

Emily Elkins

Excel Physical Therapy

Carl & Kimberly Falk

First Data Foundation

Susan & Wayne Fithian

William & Elizabeth Fleissner

Dan & Carol Flynn

Brian & Donna Foutch

Friedland Family Foundation

Beth Friedman

Darla Fullner

CJ Gammel

Gap Foundation

Chad Gent

Paul & Lisa Glidden

Go Physical Therapy

The Godbout Family

Edye Godden

Dale & Susan Goedeker

Jacqueline Goetz

Dr. Greg & Nancy Gordon

Paul Grasewicz

Candace Grier

Doug & Connie Grover

Karla Gunderson

Maria Savageau

Francis Hahn

Mary Hanson

Larry & Kim Harris

HDR

Headley Financial Services

Helget Home Care

Gerald & Misty Hemphill

Jenny Henricksen

Steve Henthorn

John & Anita Hertner

David & Hope Hibler

Sharon Hinds

Lisa & David Hobza

Tracy Holling

George & Carol Hoover

Horseman’s Park

Housely Lawn & Nursery

Jeff & Melanie Hudgens

Diana Iverson

Janet Van Dever

Jaeger Corporation

Aaron Janke

Grant & Sara Janke

Jeanette Janke

Sherry Jarvis

Mary Jessen

Loren & Pam Johnson

Matt & Donna Johnson

Lynn Johnson

Dana Kelly

Bob Kerby

Carolyn Key-Suhr

Pamela Kirschman

Knights of Columbus

Darren & Teresa Konda

Vivian Kram

Vicky Krecek

Cathy Lane

Larry Smith & Associates

Rosemary Leach

Michael & Betty Leggott

Gail Lewis

Kathy Lewis

Dan & Deb Lindstrom

Lori Loschen

William Lyons

M & M Foundation

Shawn & Cheryl MacDonald

Craig & Susan Macdonald

Shahid Mahmood-Hussain

Dr. Carl Martin

Julie & John Mattern

Stephen McCann

Nancy & Michael McCarthy

Dr. Patrick & Pamela McCarville

Kathy McCormack & Leo Sova

David & Katherine McLeese

Lynette McQuade

Donna & Randy Mehlin

Matt & Sherri Merrill

Warren & Mable Messman

Pat & Ward Meyer

Tammy Meyer

MidAmerican Energy

Linda Middleton

Millard North High School

Tom & Peggy Miya

Monke Brothers

Timothy Moore

Charles & Cheryl Morris

Mortgage Specialists

Cory Moss

Muinov Lyudmila

James Mulry

Paul Murphy

Robert Murray

Nebraska Irrigated Seeds

Don & Deb Nelson

Henry & Aleta Neuhaus

Nancy Neumeyer

Sally Nielson

Catherine Nixon

No Frills Supermarket

James Nolan

North Hills Hunt Club

Steve Probst

Joe O’Callaghan

Mary Pat O’Callaghan

Jennifer Oliveto Ayoub

Omaha Community Foundation

Omaha Nexus

One Tree Yoga

Gordon Parry

Pediatric Services

Marcie Peterson

Marty & Jean Peterson

Raquel Pfannenstiel

Pitney Bowes

Platte Valley Wranglers

Pleasure Lakes, Inc

David Poage

Vicky Porter

Virginia Prey

Duane Prorok

Vicki Rinne

Dennis & Claire Rastede

Rebensdorf Family Foundation

Royce & Susan Rector

Dave & Sherry Reeble

Reichmuth Funeral Home

Barbara Reynolds

Ken & Ann Reynolds

Romeo’s - Sam Amenta

Lisa Roskins

Andi Rossitto Willets

Louis Rotella Jr.

Rough & Ready Rodeo

Scott & Julie Rouse

Matt & Beth Royuk

Jessica Sallenbach

Sam’s Club

Kathy Sangimino

Steven Sangimino

Lee Sapp

Gayle Scharf

Scheels

Schlotzsky’s

Jay & Susan Schroeder

Mary Scott

Edward Sedlacek

Neil & Lori Sergel

Joyce Sharp

Kay Shilling

John Sibley

Sid Dillon Chevrolet

Silicon Valley Community

Foundation

Silver Ridge Village

Lynette Singer

Martin Skomal

Katherine Smith

Barbara Spahn

St. John’s Lutheran Church

Steven Stanley

Steinbach Farm & Equipment

Sales

Judith Stubblefield

SunCorp Electric

Art & Michelle Swoboda

Chuck Tack

Mr. & Mrs. George Tangeman

Jolene & Patrick Tawney

Jodi Teal

The York Children’s Foundation

Theraplayce

Pam Thielen

Selaba Travis

Michael & Sarah Tucker

Donna Turner

UBS

Union Pacific

United Food & Commercial

Workers

UNMC Physicians

Tom Vitamvas

Barbara Von Tersch

Neal & Paula Wachholtz

Wahoo Saddle Club

Mark Walker

Craig & Sheryl Walker

Tim Welch

Gary & Vickie Wells

Werner Enterprises

West Dodge Neurologic Clinic

Whispering Ridge Family

Dentistry

Matt White

Connie Wichman

Cheryl Williams

Craig & Lynda Wilson

John & Jane Winnail

Lora Winsor

The Winsor Family

Diane Withem

Doug Wolfson

Jen Wolsleben

Vickie Wrobleski

Becki Zanardi

Daniel & Joann Zuerlein

HETRA | PO Box 260, Valley, NE 68064 | (402) 359-8830 | www.HETRA.org

HETRA STAFF

HETRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kathy Lewis

Tim Kirkpatrick Vicki Krecek

Sarah Wehrman Deb Miller

Steve Probst Kathy Sangimino Dan Lindstrom

Kim Falk Steve Henthorn

The H

ETRA

Team

2010 HETRA Horse of the Year “Doc”

Jen Wolsleben

Edye Godden Erin Bevington

Jodi Teal Jan Doiel

Katherine Smith Diane Bemis

Lori Bliss

Tom Cramer Toni Keating Teresa Konda

Amanda Rector Lisa Stillahn

Melanie Henderson Paula Wachholtz