EQUUS Foundation

MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
The Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation was founded in 1974 to empower and improve the lives of people with cognitive, physical, and psychological disabilities through the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding and other equine-assisted services, while serving the therapeutic riding profession through training and education.

Our organization conducts Equine Assisted Services in accordance with the EQUUS Foundation Guidelines on Qualifications of Organizations Conducting Equine Assisted Services (EAS).
Our organization provides community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses.
Our organization is directly responsible for the care and shelter of equines involved in our programs.
100% of our total programs and services are horse-related.
Our organization does not use satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities

Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
Our organization provides the following Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
    Therapeutic Mounted Services
    Therapeutic Driving Services
    Therapeutic Unmounted Services
    Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology

10: Total number of Equine Assisted Service Providers at Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

     1. Alison Duvall

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Art Degree
PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI)

2. Caitlin Taft

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

PATH INTL - CTRI

3. Catherine Wycoff

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Catherine Wycoff, PT, DPT, GCFP, HPCS and CTRI

4. Claudia Yates

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

CTRI

5. Debbie Gerbich

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

CTRI

6. Heather Payne

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

CTRI

7. Jennifer Johnson

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

PATH Intl. Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor (RTRI)

8. Kathy Blaine

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Driving Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

PATH Intl. Registered Instructor, CTRI, PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, BA. Note: Kathy Blaine is the able-bodied whip (ABW) and drives with students in the vehicle with Mary Jo Beckman (PATH Certified Driving Instructor) supervising the lesson. At this point and due to COVID, she chooses not to sit in close proximity to students, so Kathy is designated by MJB to be the ABW as Kathy accumulated the required 50+ hours of driving experience. This is allowed per PATH driving standard DA11 MANDATORY.

*DA11 MANDATORY
Is there an implemented procedure for the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Certified Driving Instructor to verify the driving qualifications of the ABW to include but not be limited to the following:
1. Is 18 years of age or older? Yes
2. Has at least 50 hours of experience driving equines in varied settings? Yes
3. Is trained in the use of the second set of reins and in assisting the participant while driving, if needed? Yes
Interpretation: Competency of the ABW is vital. The ABW should also have good upper body strength and drive regularly in addition to the session within the program.

9. Mary Jo Beckman

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Driving Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

CTRI; PATH Intl. Master Instructor; PATH Intl. Level 1 Certified Driving Instructor

10. Pam McAfee

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

CTRI

Overview of our programs involved with providing EAS to individuals with special needs:
     Loudoun Therapeutic Riding, Inc. Services for people with diverse needs include but not limited to the following:
     PTSD
     Learning Disabilities
     Developmental Delay
     Autism
     Down Syndrome
     Hearing/Visually Impairment
     Cerebral Palsy
     Traumatic Brain Injury
     Muscular Dystrophy
     Multiple Sclerosis
     Stroke
     Psychological or Behavioral Challenges

     Equine Assisted Services:
     1. Therapeutic Riding TR (taught or supervised by PATH Intl/Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors) Description: Therapeutic riding is an equine assisted service that promotes the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals. We partner with our horses to create a program that fosters a community environment with inclusion, respect and working towards independence.

     Therapeutic (adaptive) riding is widely recognized as beneficial for people with diverse needs. The riding component helps develop self-awareness, build self-confidence, improve concentration, increase self-discipline, strengthen and relax muscles, improve posture and so much more. Off the horse, therapeutic horsemanship also improves confidence, attitude, and self-image by mastering new skills. Working towards these goals, students improve their function in all activities of their lives. For riders with cognitive or emotional challenges, the relationships formed with the horse, staff, and volunteers also have therapeutic benefits.

     2. Therapeutic Carriage Driving TD (all driving lessons taught by a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Driving Instructor) Student goals include grooming, horsemanship, harnessing and carriage driving skills. Description:
     In addition to riding and horsemanship lessons, Loudoun Therapeutic Riding offers a carriage and cart driving program for those participants who cannot, or choose not to sit, astride a horse, yet can still benefit from the interaction with the horse and the equine activity. The driving program develops communication skills, improves gross and fine motor skills, builds self-confidence, self-awareness, trust, and encourages students to form positive relationships in a socially and sensory rich environment.

     LTR even has a one-of-a-kind adaptive carriage that is wheelchair accessible, generously donated to us in 2013. This unique carriage allows us to provide quality services to individuals needing convenient and safe access the carriage.


     3. Therapeutic Unmounted Services: ground-work in grooming, horse care and behavior, stable management, horsemanship, etc. (taught or supervised by PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors) Description: These classes typically take place in the barn and sometimes the arena. Special group tours or higher education practicums and modules are offered periodically. These un-mounted sessions are supervised by a CTRI - LTR staff member for the purpose of providing educational opportunities to students or individuals requiring training in horse handling, first aid, horsemanship or EAS in general.

     4. Physical Therapy - is conducted by a licensed physical therapist with a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor present. Description: Physical therapy (incorporating Hippotherapy as a treatment tool). Occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology professionals use evidence-based practice in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to achieve functional outcomes. In conjunction with other treatment strategies, hippotherapy is part of a patient’s integrated care plan.

     As a treatment tool, each step of the horse, when carefully integrated into a treatment plan by a trained therapist, has the potential to produce a powerful neuromotor input that can help the patient improve their function and get closer to their treatment goal. The therapist directs the movement of the horse; analyzes the patient’s responses, and adjusts the treatment accordingly.


     5. PATH Intl. Equine Services for Heroes – Program serving wounded military/veterans and may include riding, carriage driving or ground lessons. (Conducted by PATH Intl. Certified Instructors.) Description: Highly experienced and trained personnel facilitate quality equine assisted services for veterans.
     As a PATH Int’l Premier Accredited Center, LTR is proud to offer its Equine Services for Heroes program to veterans at no direct cost to the veteran or the veteran's family.

     In response to the growing need for therapeutic opportunities for veterans, the Equine Services for Heroes program uses equine assisted services to aid wounded warriors in recovery. Participants of the program often have diagnoses like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), both of which can have global effects on physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral health.
     With the help of our equine partners, we provide these individuals the opportunity to regain valuable skills lost due to injury or trauma in a safe and supportive environment.

Community Outreach and/or Public Education:

Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
Pony Tales Program
This new service was initially intended for community engagement at local libraries through visits and stories with “Gnomeo” (aka Kiss Me Quick) PATH Intl. Equine of the Year 2020. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions we got creative and developed then implemented virtual visits for local school students. Through a new partnership with school teachers, a team captured video to build lesson plans for their PBL (Project Based Learning) model. Learning units include: Animal Habitats, Seasonal Changes, Past & Present, Magnitude, Weight & Estimation, and “How To” writing prompts. The connection to subject matter through these videos is clear, exciting, motivating and fun. Feedback from teachers and their students has been extremely positive. Plans are in place to expand to a library program with additional story time videos from the barn, paddock, and pastures. When COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, our in-person local library visits will resume.

Research/Medical Use of Equines:
Our organization has never made, and would not ever consider making, equines available for research studies or medical training that involves invasive procedures and/or that which may cause pain or suffering to the equine.

Religious Affiliation:
Our organization does not promote religious education, religious purposes, or a specific religious faith or use donations for religious education or religious purposes; require participants to be of a certain faith; require participation in religious, instruction, activities or services; or require participation in prayer, worship, religious instruction or other religious activities as a condition of receiving social or secular services offered.

Auction Donation:
Our organization has never allowed, or would not consider allowing, an equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that would cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter.

Our Programs/Activities that are not equine-related and/or involving animals other than equines:
Educational opportunities for therapeutic riding instructor candidates, therapists and volunteers.

POLICIES: ACQUISITION

Our organization acquires horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Donation
    Lease
    Purchase/Adoption from Owner

Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Auction
    Kill pen/Feedlot
    Return
    Surrender
    Seizure
    Abandonment

Our organization will accept the following:
    Geldings
    Mares

Not Checked:
    Pregnant Mares
    Foals
    Stallions
    Only Stallions to be castrated

Additional information about our acquisition policies and practices:
All equines are carefully screened for suitability at LTR per our PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center policies.

POLICIES: INTAKE, ASSESSMENT & TRAININING

Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization requires the following with respect to the health status of the horse:
    A current Coggins
    Vaccination records that have been administered within the last 12 months
    If health records are not available or are out-of-date, the owner is responsible for having vaccinations administered.
    If health records are not available or are out-of-date, our veterinarian will administer appropriate vaccinations

Not Checked:
A health certificate signed by a veterinarian and dated no more than seven days prior to arrival attesting to the health status of the equine is provided to our organization either prior to or upon arrival of the equine

Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization has the following policies in place:
    The owner of a potential equine is interviewed over the phone or in person prior to seeing the equine
    The equine is evaluated at its place of residence
    The owner completes an application/contract which constitutes the agreement between the owner and our organization
    The owner is financially responsible for the shipping of the equine to and from the organization
    Equines are on trial for 60 or more days
    The trial period may be reduced based on the equine's progress
    During the trial period, the organization accepts financial responsibility for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care, up to a fixed amount agreed upon by the organization and the owner
    The trial period may be terminated by either the organization or the owner for any reason

Not Checked:
    Equines are not taken on trial
    Equines are on trial for up to 30 days
    Equines are on trial up to 60 days
    During the trial period, the organization accepts total financial responsibility for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care
    During the trial period, the owner/donor is financially responsible for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care

Following arrival of the equine at the facility, the following is performed:
    Physical examination by a veterinarian upon arrival and/or prior to quarantine departure
    Physical examination by trained barn staff
    Photographs are taken of each equine upon arrival at the facility and kept with the equine's health records
    A Henneke Body Conditioning Score or other body conditioning score is assigned
    Physical examination by a farrier
    Physical examination by a dentist
    Coggins test
    Fecal test
    Vaccinations
    De-worming

Not Checked:
    Blood work other than Coggins
    The equine is scanned to check for a microchip
    The equine is microchipped if the scan indicates that there is no microchip

Upon intake, the organization has the following quarantine policy in place:
The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine at the facility for a prescribed period of time

Not Checked:
The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine off-site for a prescribed period of time
The equine is not quarantined

The typical length of quarantine is:   20 to 30 days

Horses are assessed for following skills and behaviors:
    Retrieval from a pasture/paddock
    Leading with a halter and lead rope
    Temperament, disposition and attitude, such as rated from very calm to very high spirited
    Saddling
    Bridling
    Lunging
    Loading onto and unloading off a trailer
    Mounting and dismounting
    Riding at the walk
    Riding at the trot
    Riding at the canter
    Riding by a beginner and/or unbalanced rider
    Driving (Pulling a carriage)
    Tolerance to unusual objects and loud noises
    Known vices, i.e., cribbing, biting, kicking, weaving, stall walking, etc
    Grooming
    Bathing
    Clipping
    Tolerance to multiple handlers at the same time

Not Checked:
Jumping

Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the ongoing assessment of horses in its care:
    The Henneke Body Condition score or other body conditioning score is updated at least annually
    Photographs are taken of each equine annually and kept with the equine's health records
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine chiropractor
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine acupuncturist
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine massage therapist
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine nutritionist
    Physical examination by a veterinarian at least annually

Not Checked:
    Photographs are taken of each equine monthly and kept with the equine's health records

Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the weight-carrying or workload capabilities of horses/equines that are ridden in our care:
Our organization evaluates at least annually and maintains a written record of the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden

Not Checked:
Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
No equines are ridden; not applicable

The following variables are considered in determining the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden:
    Equine age, weight, breed, body condition, fitness, balance, health and soundness
    Equine conformation to include the top line, length of back, strength and width of loin, bone density (measured by the circumference of the cannon bone just below the knee)
    Size, shape, condition and angle of the hooves
    Participant weight, height, body proportions, balance, fitness and riding skills as well as behavioral issues and safety concerns
    Weight and proper fit of the saddle and other equipment
    Terrain and footing in the working environment
    Duration and frequency of working sessions, as the frequency with which an equine is subjected to maximum weight carrying and/or workload
    Nature and pace of work, repetitive or varied, radius of turns, degree of incline and regularity of footing when equine is subject to maximum weight-carrying capacity
    Temperature and/or weather conditions
    Seasonal impact on the equines' workload and weight-carrying capabilities and limitations

Not Checked:
Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
No equines are ridden; not applicable

Horses provided formal training (groundwork or riding):   2-3 times per week

Additional information about our intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
A Henneke Body Condition Score is assigned to each of our horses. We carefully assess the weight and condition of each horse and photograph each horse on arrival at our center, and then upload the photos to each individual horse's profile. Photographs are regularly taken after the equine has joined the team.

     Our herd is evaluated regularly by our veterinarian, and each horse's weight/condition is evaluated regularly using the standard weight tape method. LTR supports our local community college's veterinary technology student program twice a year where all herd members are assessed for overall health, weight, condition, appearance, and attitude. Findings are then updated in each horse's online platform profile.

POLICIES: BREEDING

The organization has the following policies related to breeding and stallions:
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, does NOT breed equines.

Not Checked:
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, breeds equines
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, are permitted to house stallions

POLICIES: EUTHANASIA

The organization has the following policies related to euthanasia:
    Our organization will never have an equine euthanized for space
    Our organization may have a healthy equine euthanized if it is a threat to itself, other equines, or people and euthanasia is recommended by a veterinarian
    Our organization may have an equine euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian after all reasonable treatment options have been explored
    Euthanasia is done on site when possible to decrease trauma from transport
    Disposal of the carcass is handled within 24 hours

Not Checked:
Our organization will never have a healthy equine euthanized under any circumstances
Euthanasia is done at the veterinarian's facility

The following are authorized to administer the procedure for your organization in accordance with state laws:
Veterinarian

Not Checked:
    A certified euthanasia technician
    Senior staff with appropriate training
    Employee of animal control shelter or humane society with appropriate training
    Veterinary student under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian
    Not applicable. Our organization prohibits euthanasia under any circumstances

POLICIES: RE-HOMING

View Re-homing Agreement
Our organization has the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) policies and procedures in place:
    All potential adopters/purchasers complete a written contract which constitutes the agreement between our organization and the new owner
    Our organization does NOT re-home an equine to first time equine owners
    Our organization will only re-home an equine to a location where another equine resides
    Potential adopters/purchasers must visit our organization and be observed with the equine on site
    The distance of a potential adopter/purchaser's home from our facility is a consideration for when re-homing an equine
    Our organization conducts a site visit of the adopter/purchaser's facility before the transfer of the equine to the adopter/purchaser's facility

Not Checked:
Potential adopters/purchasers are encouraged to do a short-term, on-site foster with the equine
Adopters/purchasers are NOT required to provide updates

The uploaded Re-homing agreement includes the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) statements:
    The agreement states that re-homed equines CANNOT be sold, adopted, transferred, auctioned, released, given away, or otherwise placed into the possession of another individual or organization under any circumstances.
    The agreement reflects that any individual or organization in possession of the equine as of the date of the agreement and any time thereafter is bound to not sell the equine at auction for slaughter or allow the equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that will cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter.
    The agreement states that re-homed equines cannot be bred
    The agreement states that if there is any breach of contract the equine must be returned to our organization
    The agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make scheduled visits
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization free of charge
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization for a fee

Not Checked:
    The agreement states that should the adopter decide to re-home the equine, our organization must be notified of the name, address, and telephone number of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason prior to the equine being placed into the possession of such individual or organization.
    The agreement states that should the adopter decide to re-home the equine, our organization must grant approval of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason prior to the equine being placed into the possession of such individual or organization, including being provided written notification of the name, address, and telephone number of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason.
    The agreement states that the terms of our organization's agreement will be binding on any future individual or organization taking and/or in possession of the equine for any reason.
    The agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make unannounced visits
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for one year
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for two years
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for three or more years
    None of the statements are included.
    The organization does not re-home equines under any circumstances; our organization retains custody of our equines and ensures care of the equines for their lifetimes.
    Our organization does not have the authority to transfer ownership and/or does not own any of the equines involved with our programs.

Our organization requires references from the following:
Veterinarian

Not Checked:
    Farrier
    Personal/Other
    Not applicable or no references required.

Transfer of ownership occurs:   Our organization retains ownership of the equine for its lifetime

The average equine re-homing (adoption/purchase) fee received by your organization:
Not applicable; None received

Our organization has the following policies and procedures related to horses that need to be retired, are no longer useful, or are no longer manageable:
    Equines may remain at our organization for their lifetimes
    Equines may be found suitable homes by our organization
    Equines may be returned to their owners
    In the case an equine is unsound and/or unhealthy and cannot be treated to relieve suffering, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian

Not Checked:
    Equines may be sent to auction
    In the case an equine is unmanageable and demonstrates repeated dangerous behaviors, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian
    If a suitable home cannot be located within 12 months, the equine may be euthanized
    If a suitable home cannot be located, and space is not available for the equine to remain at the organization, the organization will secure a suitable home for the equine and accept financial responsibility for the lifetime of the equine

Additional information about our rehoming policies and practices:
Nearly all re-homed horses or ponies are returned to the owner if free-leased or to the donor if donated originally. The lease agreement and re-homing (retirement) agreement are attached.