December, 2011

Happy New Year!

I hope you have been enjoying the holidays. I would like to take a minute to reflect on all the amazing things that have happened at Leg Up Farm in the Equine Program during 2011.

January began with an empty barn and Megan who worked tirelessly to get everything in order for the arrival of horses. When I say this I mean not one bucket was hung in a stall or a saddle rack in the tack room. By the end of the month five horses arrived to the farm. In February I came on board and so did a handful of volunteers to help Megan care for the animals. Over the next few months horses came and went as Megan worked to find the perfect horses for our program. Fast forward to April 1st…..the launch of Leg Up Farm’s Therapeutic Riding Program. I remember helping as a leader or side walker for those first few weeks as we still only had a handful of equine volunteers. In May we welcomed Sarah to the staff as well as our two wonderful interns, Steph and Kristen. Not long after Trudy came on board as well. Fast forward to the end of 2011…..

Staff: 5 Virginia joined us, officially, last month

Horses: 17

Students: 50, with many still waiting to begin

Volunteers: 158--AMAZING!

One trail system through the woods surrounding the farm

It has been an amazing year. Our program has grown by leaps and bounds! None of this could have happened without the many hours each of you has given to Leg Up Farm and to our program! I cannot wait to see all the amazing changes that come in 2012.

Update on Autumn: She seems to be healing well as she is putting much more weight on her injured leg. The vet will be out again in a few weeks to check on her progress so I will keep you all posted.

Jess Melhorn

Equine Program Assistant

From the first moment I walked in the door of Leg Up Farm, I knew something was different about it. There was this amazing energy and a feeling of peace all at the same time. I knew immediately that this was a special place where amazing things happen.

I have now been at Leg Up farm for almost a year, and I count myself as lucky. I get to see miracles happen every day. I meet all types of fantastic people...from the children who comes for services, to volunteers who pour their hearts into their work, and employees who love what they do. Everybody plays such an important role in what happens here. I get to be a small part of this every day and for that I am grateful.

It has been an amazing year. We launched our Animal Assited Therapy programs. We began offering Play Therapy and Counseling services. We built a huge barrier-free playground in 7 days!! All in the last year. The best part of all of this is, that we get to help more children and families who need our services.

Since opening in April 2010, we have helped over 550 children and their families. I have been fortunate enough to meet a small portion of them and each one has made me smile. 2011 has been a great year. I am looking forward to 2012. I wish you and your family all the best.

Tom O'Connor

Development Director

Leg Up Farm was lucky to be highlighted in this month's blog by Vantage Clinical Solutions. They are a healthcare solutions provider. Blog Interview