The Ariens Company, in Brillion, WI, supports LifeStriders efforts to provide therapeutic riding lessons to families with special needs.  The Ariens Company owns Gravely, and donated a Gravely Pro 260 (see picture below) to LifeStriders for its use in cutting and grooming the new 23 Acre facility in Waukesha.  LifeStriders is extremely grateful to Ariens company for the generous donation to its program and appreciates its support of the LifeStriders mission.  Thank you Airens family.

Tim Moat, of Midwest Power Equipment, in Waukesha, WI has introduced LifeStriders to the Ariens family, and helped facilitate the donation to LifeStriders.  Tim understands and appreciates the community of volunteers that are giving back to those with special needs and wanted to be able to join them and give back some of his own good fortune to the community. By facilitating this new relationship between LifeStriders and Ariens company, and this tractor donation, he has done just that.  Thank you Tim, for being an advocate for LifeStriders and for delivering this awesome machine to the organization.

The next time you are in the market for any power equipment, please consider Ariens, Gravely,and Midwest Power Equipment in Waukesha for your needs, in recognition of the very significant donation they have made to LifeStriders.  Thank you to everyone who had a hand in making this contribution happen.

The family and friends of LifeStriders were treated to an exciting blend of perfect weather, overwhelming attendance and support, skillful demonstrations, a heartwarming lesson, and inspiring speakers and authors for its Grand Opening weekend.  It was a weekend we will never forget and a weekend that has ushered in a new era of LifeStrders in this beautiful new facility.

Many people made this event possible and had a hand in donating their time, experience, materials, and money to mark this special occasion. We are thankful to all of you for your contributions.  
Special thanks goes out to:

Volunteers and Sponsors - Everyone who contributed to making this day happen
Stephanie Benz and Judy Pequet (and their help) - For planning, organizing, and executing this flawless event
Lori Voecks, Liz Wolff - For putting on the horse show and volunteer presentation, and for running the first successful programs in the new facility.  You are the new faces of LifeStriders and we are excited to have you aboard.
Jesus Guevara Family - Preparing the facility for the Grand Opening
Rupert Isaacson and Iliane Lorenz - Showcasing the Horse Boy Methods and media for friends of LifeStriders
Barb and Tim Abair Family - For sponsoring the Horse Boy Method Day
Robin Gohsman, Nicole Blemberg, Heidi Miller - Event Promotion, Organization, Graphic Design
Food Donations - Café Manna, La Casa de Esperanza, Mama Mia's
Party Favors and Materials - Sentry Foods, Target-Delafield, Piggly Wiggly, Pick N Save- Wales and Delafield
The Burie Family Band - Great musical talent and spirit.
Don Koepp - For running a first class expansion campaign to make this day happen
Dan Swinehart, Infinity Custom Homes, and Contractors - Volunteer General Contracting for LifeStriders Buildout
Steve Lirette - Volunteer Electrician for buildout of LifeStriders
Dave Schalk of Fantasy Interiors and Sara Eagleboy - Volunteer Painting and Signage
Kathy End - Outstanding volunteer efforts
Presidential Service Award Winners - Nicole Neidinger, Natalie Lirette, Ruthie Barbour
Ribbon Cutters - Omar Benitez, Chris Pequet, Carley Churches, Arianna Worcester, Matthew Knowles, Nicole Neidinger, Becky Manke
Board of Direcors - Dixon Benz II, Carl Barkow, Judy Pequet, Barb Abair, Veronica Sosa, Rob Conley

Here are Excerpts from Rob and Veronica's speeches from the grand opening.  Thank you to everyone who made this day possible:

From Rob:
"First, Lets all thank Stephanie Benz, Judy Pequet, and everyone who contributed to helping get ready for this exciting day.  Thank you."

A recap of The Horse Boy Method Day can be read in a separate post here.

"Many, Many, Many, M A N Y ..people have helped financially to make today possible and there is not enough time in the day to thank you all individually, but we do want to thank every one of you here and many more who are not able to be here, for the incredible gift you have purchased for this community. Together with the help of this group of volunteers and staff here today, all of volunteers who have come before you, this board of directors, our generous advisors, I am very happy to say.....WE DID IT!!! You have all invested, and hopefully will continue to invest a part of your life to the service of your community, and as Rupert so accurately summed up some of his comments yesterday "It Takes a Village to raise a child or adult with special needs." So please give yourselves a round of applause for what you are doing to help your community. Thank you.

Veronica and I have been dreaming of getting LifeStriders to a larger indoor facility since the winter of 2005 and our Board of directors and advisors have been working tirelessly to try and make this happen for this community.  In 2009, Don Koepp took a look at all of our efforts to date and decided he would volunteer to chair the Expansion Fundraising Effort for LifeStriders and lead it to this day.  Don's commitment to this project has not wavered once, and with the combined effort of everyone here and mentioned, this day of LifeStriders owning its own indoor riding facility has been realized and we are all thankful to Don for helping to make this happen. 

Unfortunately Don could not be here today due to an illness, but his wife Linda is here and if you see her perhaps you could express your gratitude, to her, of Don's and her efforts to guiding and working toward today's glory. Please give a round of applause for Don's volunteer efforts.

LifeStriders has completed phase 1 of a 3 phase build out.  In Phase 1 we needed to first establish a safe an efficient place to give lessons and do work.  Dan Swinehart of Infinity Custom Homes volunteered his time, friends time, and resources to making this happen and we all owe him a debt of gratitude.   Thank you Dan and all of your contractors and friends ,for lending your expertise, time, and materials to continuing to help make this dream a realty for this community.   

I also want to give a special thanks to Steve Lirette for volunteering all of his time and Electrical expertise to building out the electrical for this facility.  This has been a HUGE savings to the organization and we are thankful to you.

Another special thanks goes to Dave Schalk and Sara Eagleboy for their volunteer help painting and creating signage for LifeStriders.  Dave is an accomplished painter and artist and we are lucky to have someone of his caliber helping make the facility look great!

Lastly I want to take take a minute to thank the person who has been the shepherd for this program for the last 6 years.  Veronica Sosa, has braved some interesting days of finding odd shaped potatoes in the paddock, saving baby deer and watching robots diffuse strange packages while giving a lessons, chasing horses around the neighborhood in 40 degree sleet, and putting up with her husband's whims and visions of a therapeutic riding center for the last 6 years.  She is a long way from her homes in Argentina, the Valley,  and her core skill set, and yet throughout this journey she has been a rock and figurehead for LifeStriders and all of you since its beginning.  None of this would have happened without her/your efforts, and as we begin passing the torch to the next generation of shepherds for LifeStriders, we all want her to know that we are all forever thankful for what she has done for this community."

From Veronica:
Many of you have heard the LifeStriders’ Story before and know about how Rob and I envisioned starting a therapeutic program that offered a more integrative approach to working with families and people with special needs. Since LifeStriders began in our back yard in 2005, we dreamed big…really big. Every year since then, many of you have shared in wonderful memories that were created there. You have heard the heartwarming stories and strides that our kids and volunteers have made when we highlight our yearly LifeStrider of the Year recipients at our events. Matthew’s always stand out to me because in our first year, we were able to see him  take those first assisted steps and Omar went from barely being able to sit up, to riding hands-free on his horse. He argued with me every step of the way but I have pictures to prove that he rode with a fabulous smile that touched every one of us. Nicole struggled with a number of social issues. That first summer she cleaned parts of a horse she knew not existed, she mentored young riders and new volunteers, continuously helps us train new staff, now has a real part-time job while maintaining excellent grades at school and was recently represented LifeStriders at the Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon where LifeStriders was recognized and received a grant from the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County. This year, Carley bravely climbed back onto her horse following an injury…. Those steps, those smiles, those accomplishments and that bravery defines LifeStriders. This is who we are. LifeStriders are those volunteers who rush here after work and school to help make therapeutic riding happen for over 4000 individual riding lessons since 2005. Lori taught as a volunteer therapeutic riding instructor for 5 years at LifeStriders before coming on board as one of our program coordinators.

Let’s talk about dreaming big…almost three years ago Barb and I toured this place when we heard that it might be coming on the market. After seeing a number of other places, we knew from the first moment we walked in that this was going to be the home of LifeStriders. We were also very aware that it exceeded what we could afford. I would drive by and say to myself “this is it…we found it”. When my parents visited from Argentina, I would drive them through very slowly explaining why this was it. I wanted this indoor arena so badly every time we had to cancel lessons because the weather was bad or when it became too cold to ride outdoors. It was a big dream for us then…but today, because of the incredible support that we received from so many generous people, the dream is a reality. This March we began lessons and added many new riders. Lifestriders added advanced riding lessons to accommodate our more experienced participants, Liz run’s the Traumatic Brain Injury class for adults and seniors and Is about to launch the LifeStriders Heroes Program that will target veterans with Spinal cord injuries. Ann Carl and Liz plan to expand the social skills program again this year. 

Brenna’s parents were kind enough to share with us the some of the improvements they have seen in their child since she began to ride.  In the first 3 months, we have been amazed and shocked at the positive impact it has had on our daughter and our family.  We, along with her therapists and teachers have noticed significant improvements in her academic skills, communication skills and most importantly with her anxiety. Each week we have been impressed with the different exercises the therapists have put Brenna and her team through.  We have spent years working on throwing and catching with Brenna, she got on a horse and can do both!  LifeStriders has helped us as parents of a child with special needs make connections with other parents.  Riding Cody has given Brenna (and our family) something to look forward to every weekend…

When one of our riders speaks his first words, or when they play catch for the first time, make and sustain eye contact, ride independently…these are big dreams. We are so excited for what is yet to come for LifeStriders. Because of all of the people who have been a part of this great community that has formed around this cause. When I come here and see everyone working hard and coming together for the people we serve, I realize that LifeStriders brings out the best of who we are. It has done that from the very beginning and it will continue to do that for years to come.

Thank you for joining us in this celebration. Thank you for making this possible.

Many of you here at LifeStriders work with children and adults who are on the autism spectrum.  Autism does not appear to be going away and currently is detected in between 1:100 and 1:60 American births.  LifeStriders is having incredible successes with its Autistic clients, as many of them establish their first communications with family and caregivers here. More than ever we are all very interested in continuing to improve our role and ability to serve this clientele with effective equine therapy, and for this reason we brought in someone who is having some great successes in working with this special need.

Those of you that were here yesterday, and for those that were not, we were very lucky to be introduced to The Horse Boy Method's thoughtful champions - Rupert Isaacson and Iliane Lorenz.  A big thank you goes to the Abair family for making their visit possible.

The two of them put on a very thoughtful and polished four and a half hour demo, and took questions during two movie screenings of "A View From the Inside - An Interview with Temple Grandin" and "The Hose Boy", for instuctors and parents in WI and 4 surrounding states, who work with, or are interested in working with, children and adults on the autism spectrum.  The Horse Boy Method is based on Rupert's experiences in working with horses and his own son, who lives with autism, and is the main focus of the Book, and Movie, The Horse Boy.  Rupert, Iliane and Kristen (Rupert's Wife) have been busy sharing their knowledge and experiences in various medias and demonstrations and we were lucky to have Rupert and Iliane here to discuss their successes, to answer your questions about their methods and experiences as we all work to understand, appreciate, and help those with Autism.  Their efforts here, and everywhere, are helping this generation, and many to come, grapple with this pandamic and we all should be very thankful for their work.

The staff and volunteers at LifeStriders are all looking forward to developing their new skills with "Freddy", and in the Horse Boy Methodology, and we are all looking forward to working with The Horse Boy Method Staff again in the near future.  It was an excellent learning experience for everyone who attended and we have had nothing but positive feedback since.

To the staff at the Horse Boy Method:  Thank you for enabling our organization with exciting new insights into people with autism, horses, and ourselves.  You all have inspired us to do more for our community on the autism spectrum.

Here is a Video from the Day:

Please direct inquiries to:
Veronica Sosa, 262.565.6124 
striders@lifestriders.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2011

Author of best-selling book and Sundance award winning film “The Horse Boy” will share his incredible story
WAUKESHA, Wi. – LifeStriders, a non-profit organization utilizing equine-assisted therapy to provide life-enhancing, physical and psychological experiences and services to individuals with special needs, celebrates the opening of its new facilities with an appearance by Rupert Isaacson.

Mr. Isaacson authored the international best-seller, “The Horse Boy” a deeply moving, truly one-of-a-kind story of a family willing to go to the ends of the earth to help their son's autism, and of a boy learning to connect with the world for the first time.

On Friday, June 3rd, at 5pm the public is invited to a special presentation of Movie: Temple Grandin - A View From The Inside and at 7pm Movie:  "The Horse Boy" with comments, observations and insight provided by Mr. Isaacson.

On Saturday, June 4th from 1PM-4PM, the LifeStriders’ Grand Opening Party will feature a riders’ horse show, ribbon-cutting ceremony and a special “meet and greet’ session with Mr. Isaacson. The public is invited and there will be food, and activities for the kids. Music will be provided by The Burie Family www.theburiefamily.com.

Robert Conley, LifeStriders’ President stated, “We are truly honored to have Rupert at our Grand Opening and tremendously proud of our new facility. It is our hope that through this event we can share our amazing stories of success and hope and reach out to others in need.”
  
Mr. Isaacson will be available for media interviews, prior to and during his Milwaukee appearance dates, June 2-June 4. To learn more about the Isaacon's journey, and their methods to work with autism, visit 

www.horseboymethod.com.

To learn more about the LifeStriders Grand Opening Party and view the weekend’s schedule of events, please visit www.lifestriders.org.

****

ABOUT LIFESTRIDERS: Located at, S11 W29667 Summit Avenue (US HWY 18) Waukesha, WI 53188, LifeStriders is a non-profit organization offering children and adults with special needs the physical and mental benefits that can be achieved through working with horses as partners in healing.

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Lori Voecks and Liz Wolff have both volunteered generously at LifeStriders in the past as Riding Instructors, and now they will be coordinating many of the activities at the new riding center.  Please join me in welcoming them to the Staff at LifeStriders.  We are lucky to have these two uniquely qualified individuals.

Lori Voecks, NARHA CTRI
Program Coordinator

Lori has been a volunteer with LifeStriders since 2006.  In 2008 she received her NARHA Instructor Certification.   Her primary professional experience has been in customer support and project management.  During her 25 + years of horse ownership, she has participated in shows and speed events, and raised and trained Quarter Horses.  She lives in Ottawa with her husband and her youngest of two children, where she enjoys trail riding.  Email

Elizabeth Wolff, CTRS, NAHRA CTRI
Special Programs Coordinator

Liz Wolff graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA in 2008. She holds a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Military Science and Leadership. She is also a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist and an officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. After she graduated, Liz moved to Wisconsin to be closer to her husband’s family. She first came to LifeStriders as a volunteer in 2009 while working full-time as a Recreation Therapist in sub-acute brain injury rehabilitation. Liz became certified as a NARHA Registered Instructor in the fall of 2009, and has been teaching at LifeStriders since the spring of 2010. Currently, she livesin Oak Creek with her husband and their dog.  Email

Many many people have donated money, time, assets, expertise, services, and their hearts to LifeStriders, but tonight, after the first day of lessons at the new LifeStriders facility, we want to recognize the inspired efforts and contribution of one individual, without whom, this dream of LifeStriders owning Harmony farm may not have happened.  

As a guest of Barb and Tim Abair, Don Koepp came to us for a visit on a fall day with a few members of his family and was touched by what he saw at LifeStriders.  After another visit, Don was quick to understand the benefits of therapeutic riding and the community need for its services.  As the father of a child with special needs, Don already knows how few activities, and how many fewer therapeutic activities there are for these families in any community, and he quickly shared our vision for expanding LifeStriders facilities and services to many, many more children and adults with special needs than the old location could ever serve. 

Shortly after that visit, Don pledged a very significant financial contribution towards the purchase of Harmony Farms and began to work tirelessly to remove all the barriers to the expansion of LifeStriders. He ran an inspired, first class capital campaign in the economic recession of 2009-2010.  Along the way he also upped his already significant contribution to help close the gap between funds raised and the purchase price, to allow LifeStriders to purchase Harmony Farm.  As a part of his campaign, Don introduced LifeStriders to his friends, family and contacts and opened the door for LifeStriders with many of the community's generous foundations and individuals who also contributed their financial support.  Within a year and a half, and in the midst of a recession, his LifeStriders Expansion Campaign has raised over 90% of the funds needed to acquire and improve Harmony farm for LifeStriders.  With the volunteer help of Don's legal counsel, the purchase of Harmony farm was completed on January 1st of 2011 and ever since, the plans and programming for LifeStriders have been accelerating towards this opening day, and towards a very bright future for the organization and its participants.

Don has not once asked for, and most likely would not want any public recognition for his efforts and contributions.  He may also wish to fly a little more humbly than this tribute would allow him to, but on this magical day for all of us at LifeStriders, we want him to know how thankful we all are for his outstanding efforts and contributions toward making the dream of LifeStriders owning Harmony farm come true.

From everyone at LifeStriders,
Thank you for helping make this dream come true Don

What a beautiful experience today was.  I am so happy for everyone who has contributed to make this day happen.  For every volunteer, sponsor, parent, staff member, business owner, and generous individual who has made this day possible, I just want to thank you. It was a very, very special day for LifeStriders.

As some of you know, today was the first day of lessons at the new LifeStriders at Harmony Farm.  Two and a half months after raising the money to acquire Harmony farm, nine clients were served a number of therapeutic exercises on horseback, under the quiet cover of the Harmony indoor arena on a perfect night in the Town of Delafield.  Seeing Natalie, Kristen, Elizabeth, Jessie, Lori, and Liz work with all the new volunteers, old and new clients in this incredible facility that is rapidly coming together, brings so much joy to Veronica and I.  

At one point during the first lesson I looked over at Veronica and knew that she was thinking the same thing that I was......we were both wide eyed, smiling and a bit blown away by the experience.  "Pinch me"........"It's Sureal"......."It's a dream come true" were some of the words we exchanged.  We have all been working so hard to get the new place ready for lessons that I think we actually forgot about how incredible the moment would be when we had the horses, participant families, and volunteers there to actually use the new facility.  To meet a few of the new families LifeStriders is serving, to share a high five and smile with a new rider, to see the little horse and rider miracles starting to happen again in this new grand facility, and to look over at the equally elated faces of all the people who have worked so hard to make this moment transpire, was a dream come true today, for all of us.

and this was just day 1....
- Rob

The horses have a new home today.  They spent the night in the Barn last night and they are all adjusting nicely.