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 Jennifer@wingsofhopehorses.org,

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: office@wingsofhopehorses.org 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