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TRANSCRIPT
On Wings of Hope
Providing hope and healing through gentle horses and the love of God
Spring 2017 Wings of Hope Equitherapy P.O. Box 445 Burleson, TX 76097
NATHAN—
IN THE EARLY DAYS In the early days of Wings of Hope, the beautiful arena and property where we now hold classes was still only a dream in the hearts of our two founders Margaret Dickens and Patti Pace. When 10-year-old Nathan Armstrong began riding at Wings of Hope in 1996, he rode in the arena at Patti’s house where Wings of Hope began. After riding each week, Nathan, along with his family, enjoyed the small group praise and prayer time, and these experiences remain as fond memories from his childhood. Several horses have contributed to Nathan’s Wings experience as the years have gone by. One from the early
days was Honey, a beautiful Palomino mare who had lost one of her eyes due to an infection but had many years left to contribute to the lives of Wings of Hope riders. Sev-eral other horses which Nathan has ridden, Boom-er, Roger, and Phyllis are no longer in the program at Wings, so Charlie Brown is his horse now. Nathan
likes Charlie Brown the best, and thinks he is very special. Nathan rode at Wings for many years, then had to stop for a while. A couple of years later when Nathan returned to the doctor helping him with scoliosis, the doctor recommended
that he resume riding. Immediately, Nathan’s family called the Wings office to set up his return to the arena. Later, when Nathan returned to the doctor, he was told that he didn’t need to come back, since his back had stabilized. He should just keep doing what he was doing—riding. Although the hardest part of riding for Nathan is being able to sit up straight in the saddle and keep his right hand on the saddle horn, it has been good for his balance and muscle control, and has
increased his strength so that he is able to sit up straight in his wheel chair. It is very freeing for Nathan to be able to get out of his wheel chair and be on the horse, and he thoroughly enjoys the arena activities and games. Some of the activities he is asked to do with his right arm are difficult for Nathan to do, but when he is able to do them, he really feels a great sense of accomplishment, and loves the praise that goes with it. The hard work also tires him out and gives him a huge appetite, so he’s ready to go eat immediately after his riding class, giving his family another opportunity for an outing. Nathan is a huge Texas Ranger baseball fan, so summertime activities include attending all the home games, and starting this year he and his family are looking forward to the new minor league Cleburne Railroaders baseball games. Nathan also stays busy attending Rock House dayhab a couple of days a week, and going to PT and OT each week, and Sundays he takes part in a special class called “Friends of Jesus” at his church. But in the midst of all his weekly activities, Nathan finds a peaceful place called Wings of Hope where he finds the beauty of acceptance in an atmosphere of love and respect. Although much has changed since the early days of small groups with Margaret and Patti, one thing remains the same: the Lord is still in the midst of Wings of Hope using the horses, volunteers and staff to continue the core purpose to bring hope and healing in the lives of those we have been called to serve.
Nathan on
Boomer at
Equestrian
Special
Olympics
circa 2006
Nathan in the early days at
Wings of Hope
Nathan in the arena at
Wings of Hope
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The Chisholm Challenge class for
Veterans continues to expand, and
the number of Wings of Hope riders
in this class has increased as well.
This year we had three veteran
riders who competed in Western
Equitation and Trail . We want to
take this opportunity to thank them
all for their years of service to our
country and for representing
Wings of Hope at this event.
2017 had a great start for 11 Wings of
Hope riders as they and their horses
competed against approximately 200
riders from 13 therapeutic riding
centers at the John Justin Arena on
January 9-11.
As Wings riders competed in English
and Western Equitation, Trail,
Barrels, and Poles, Wings of Hopes
horses stayed busy. Sunny carried
four riders through many events,
Vannie, Hank, and Sherlock all had
two riders each, and Zee again was the
mount for veteran John Halpin for
opening ceremonies, as well as for his
classes.
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MEMORIALS Given By: In Memory of: Sharon Beach David Alexander “Blue” “Bob” “Especially Selena” “Mia” Mickey Powers Suzanne Bolt Todd Stetler John & Jo Ann Byrne Mike Byrne Dale & Meg Carson Mike Carson Helen Crawford Zona Stauffacher Helen Crawford & Family Sonia Cummin The Crawford Family Bobbi Conn Greg & Rhonda Friar Gwen Ross Pamela Grisham “Rest Stop” Bette Lankford “Opie” Virginia Leonard Claire McDermott Bradley Paula Britain Nina Maria Cole Betty Dieb James M. Fry Josh Harbuck Chloe King Matt Price Corine Snow Jo Throckmorton Kimball Watson Nancie Wingo Wayland & Carrie Long Terry Walls Harold Kuykendall Debbie Kuykendall
Frank Sherwood Rebecca Burkett Mulroy
OTHER DONORS
Thank you to our many friends who have given our
riders “Wings of Hope.” The following reflects gifts
given October 16, 2016, through February 1, 2017.
FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS
Albertsons Safeway
Alcon Employees Federal Credit Union AmazonSmile
Baker Foundation of Burleson
Careity Foundation
Crazy Cousins Quarter Auction Katrine Menzing Deakins Charitable Trust
Fort Worth Electric
Hunt Cares Campaign
Kroger
Lifepoint, Inc.
Pate Foundation, Inc.
PayPal Giving Fund
Ridglea Interests, Inc.
Kendra Scott
Stanley’s Financial Services, Inc
Sunbelt Rentals
Taylor Fordway
Texas Health Huguley Hospital FW South The Alcon Foundation, Inc.
Libby Afflerbach
Walt & Diane Berk
Darla Bledsoe
Gwendolyn R. Bodiford
Sharon Broers
Patricia Burton
Jeffrey Carnaby
Lanelle Carroll
Don Collins
Brian & Tamara Cook
Elaine Edwards
Patti Fritz
Stuart A. Genung
Matthew & Dolores Gross
Srikanth Gullapalli
Mary E. Harris
Marney Heth
Katherine Hinson
Cathy Hobbs
Jason Lee Hoyle
Megan Kuo
James & Pat Lee
Steve & Kay Menzies
Ashley Moore
C.F. & Patsy Salusky
Janet Slayton
Gary & Kris Sanders
Edgar Schollmaier
Paul & Mary Nedde
Terry & Donna Pace
Susan Riley
Paul & Cindy Rojas
Steve & Vicki Rubis
Sue Schlotzhauer
Jon & Eleanor Snyder
James, Cissy, Laird &
Claudia Thompson
Kathy Tindell
Allen & Marijke Tubbs
Lisbeth Zuercher
It is the mission of Wings of Hope to provide equine assisted activities to children and adults with unique physical, mental and emotional challenges.
More thank 5,500 hours
are donated annually to
carry out our mission.
We have riders on a
waiting list due to lack
of volunteers.
ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO
HELP US CARRY OUT OUR MISSION!
VOLUNTEERS BRING
HOPE TO OUR RIDERS!
GIVE HOPE—
VOLUNTEER!!! Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Shank to get started! Email [email protected],
or visit www.wingsofhopehorses.org/volunteer.html
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Board of Directors
HONORARIUMS
Given by: In Honor of: Kristi Austin Helen Crawford Art Jones Amanda Contino Terry Dunavin Natalie Crawford Helen Crawford Art Jones Helen Crawford Mr. & Mrs. Curtis Faudree Art Jones Mr. & Mrs. Richard Wiseman Dona Faudree Helen Crawford Mary Greenlee Mike & Rosie Moncrief Pamela Grisham Dr. Mark Jackson, DVM & Staff Paula Howeth The Corlett Family Phyllis Jacob Margaret Dickens Virginia Leonard Michelle Jacques Kathy Tindell Art Jones Helen Crawford Anonymous “J.J.” aka “Freckles” Steven Lee Kathy Tindell Elizabeth Leonard Dr. & Mrs. Jim Anthony Mr. & Mrs. Paul Leonard Mr. & Mrs. Leland Hodges John Maddux Madelon Bradshaw Robbie Mai Colby Tutt Judy Mayo Margaret Dickens Nancy Stephenson Mr. & Mrs. Bill Campbell Mr. & Mrs. Allan Hall Dr. & Mrs. Rick Herrscher Mr. & Mrs. Houston Holmes, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Bill Lyle Mr. & Mrs. Frank K. Neill Mr. & mrs. Dick Rantzow Mrs. John Taylor Mr. & Mrs. David Turner Mrs. Mary Leslie Wells Connie & Arnold Sturm Dick & Margaret Dickens Karen Wiseman Helen Crawford
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the
names listed. We apologize if an error or omission has
occurred. Please contact Wings of Hope at 817-790-8810
President – Mark Sutherland
Past President — Douglas Landry, CFP
Vice President— Walt Berk
Secretary—Holly Gavitt
Treasurer — Max Price
Members:
Margaret Dickens— Co-Founder
Patti Pace — Co-Founder
Advisory Board:
Madelon Bradshaw
Beverly Branch
Jim Brittain
S. Brian Catlin
Debbie Daniel
Ted Echard
Phyllis Jacob
Jack Koslow
Ellen Leonard
Marty Leonard
Dashelle Murrin
Michael Richardson
Brian Ryals, M.D.
Lyn Walsh
Miriam Antonini
Joe Boyd
Noreen Corlett
Wayne English, D.O.
Robbie Fenyes
Pamela Gilchrist
Marla Jones
Nancy Martin
Lisa Nussbaum
Jeff Rigdon
Allan White
Wings of Hope Gives “HOPE” to
Veteran Walt Berk
Walt Berk has been a recipient of “hope”, and a giver of “hope”, since the
inception of Wings of Hope’s service to active and retired military men and
women in 2009. The program is now known as Operation Hoofbeat, and
is completely supported by active or retired military personnel as instruc-
tor and volunteers to military riders.
Walt shares a funny story of how he came to Wings of Hope: “I think
“hope” goes along with my experience pretty well. I first heard about
Wings of Hope when Margaret (Dickens) told a woman’s pool exercise
class that she was “hoping” to find a veteran who could ride a horse who
would volunteer to work with Paul (Ziehe) to begin the veteran’s class. My
wife, Diane, told her that she had one of those at home, and asked where
she should deliver me. I had just retired, and I think she was “hoping” to
find something useful for me to do. Once we got going, my “hope” was that
I would be able to ride sometimes, and obviously that has worked out.”
That “hope” has been fulfilled as Walt
participates in a riding class at Wings of
Hope during the week. Here, his skills
have improved through the years, and
recently he decided to take part in the Fort
Worth Stock Show’s Chisholm Challenge
in the Western Equitation and Trail classes
for Veterans. Riding in the show was a
new experience for Walt, because he had
participated as a volunteer for many years.
As a rider, Walt discovered that his horse
Sherlock could be a bit unnerved by some
of the sights, sounds and smells of the
show environment, but by staying calm
and focused, they could both overcome
anxieties, and come out winners. They
came away with a shiny belt buckle and
two blue ribbons!
Walt has served on the Board of Directors for Wings of Hope for about
six years now, and several years ago, served on the committee to revamp
the Veterans program now known as Operation Hoofbeat. Walt also
serves as a volunteer on Saturday mornings supporting other military
riders. Here he helps bring “hope” to other military veterans as they
ride.
Walt served in the United States Army for 28 years, having served over-
seas duties in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. This
time of service included three combat tours. Walt’s specialties included
Combat Engineer, Special Forces, and Latin American Regional
Specialist.
We would like to thank Walt Berk for his service to our country, and let
him know we appreciate his Wings of Hope life of both giving and
receiving “hope.”
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W in g s o f Hop e
P.O. Box 445 Burleson, TX 76097-0445 817-790-8810 Fax: 817-783-7072 E-mail: [email protected] www.wingsofhopehorses.org
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Like us on Facebook. Search for
“Round-Up for Riders” on Facebook
for the latest information.
Wings of Hope Staff:
Julie Rivard— Director of Operations
Allison Gross— Development Director
Gary Hiberd— Barn Manager
Kathy Hiberd— Office Coordinator
Jennifer Shank— Volunteer Coordinator
Debbie Frahm— Feeder
Instructors and Equine Specialists:
The Core Purpose of Wings of Hope is to provide hope
and healing through gentle horses and the love of God
A Message from Board Member Max Price, Who Volunteers as Chaplain for Wings of Hope
Cheril Boustead
Danielle Crandall
Janie Dann
Allison Gross
Julie Rivard
Paul Ziehe
Recently, I have noticed many people speak in terms of “the left” or “the right”, scared of what’s to come, and fighting amongst each other, and even amongst fellow brothers and sisters. Fear! It is one of the enemy’s most popular weapons. When talking in terms of “left” and “right” we lose sight that there is still an “up” and down”. The “up” and “down” is where we need to concentrate our daily focus, and remember that we are God’s servants, and called to be a light in this dark world. Thankfully, God’s most powerful weapon is love, and as followers of Him and His Messiah, we are called to love one another. And since there are no conditions on His love for us, so we should not put any condi-tions on our love for anyone else. This is at the heart of Wings of Hope as we seek to daily demonstrate God’s love to
each other, each rider and each family who enters our barn, and thus express in actions our core purpose to provide hope and healing through our gentle horses and the love of God. "And I am convinced that nothing can ever sepa-rate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." Romans 8:38-39
Max and his
wife Marissa
at Wings of
Hope’s
Round-Up
for Riders
2016