SIRE
SIRE Crier
Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers See the Magic at a Round-up So what is a Round-up and why is it important to SIRE’s development efforts? Round-ups are the best way to introduce people to the magic of SIRE and its mission. Just by listening to our one-hour presentation, a person can understand the freedom from disabilities that therapeutic riding brings to our clients. Not talking about it, not watching a video, not handing out a brochure, but sitting in the bleachers as a part of a therapeutic riding lesson is more powerful than any other message we can bring to the community about the benefits of SIRE. It captured me!
Round-ups are usually scheduled monthly at each of our three
locations, conveniently on Saturday mornings. While clients are
JOIN US FOR A
RoundHUp Leave your checkbook at home and come learn more about our amazing equine-assisted therapy for people with disabilities. 2009 ROUND-UP DATES SIRE Hockley 5/16, 7/18, 10/3 and 11/14 SIRE Spring 4/18, 6/13, 9/12, 10/17 and 12/5 SIRE Ft. Bend 5/2, 6/27, 9/19, 11/7
participating in their regular classes, we describe what is happening in the arena. Round-Up attendees see first-hand the client-specific therapeutic session planned by the instructor, understand the role and interaction of the volunteers, and appreciate the special bond that forms between horse and rider.
Round-ups are informational only… we never, ever ask our guests
for money. When they ask how they can help, we tell them the best way to help SIRE is by spreading the word about what we do—and by inviting their friends and business associates to our next Round-up. You can do the same! —Richard “Whitey” White, President
SIRE, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization providing Equine Assisted Activities and Therapy (EAAT) programs to people with disabilities. SIRE operates three locations in the Greater Houston area and is a NARHA Premium Accredited Center.
Learning More
Let Our Riders Inspire You SIRE is about success and
we have as many stories of
huge accomplishment for some of our riders,
Being able to sit upright on a horse is a
achievement as we have
especially for those in wheelchairs like Megan Fry.
clients. Recently, several
Recently, she participated in the Top Hands
clients have demonstrated
Horse Show, and demonstrated
huge improvements in their
her abilities at the Horses
skills—let us tell you about a
& Humans Research
few of them.
Foundation’s Open House
SIRE Hockley With the help of SIRE Hockley volunteers PJ Murray & Sabrina Shawn, Ignacio Murguia demonstrates his most recent accomplishment—being able to sit up for an entire session.
SIRE Goes Green
Ignacio Murguia had surgery to straighten his legs, and
SIRE Ft. Bend
he grew several inches.
Several
When he came back to ride, he had a “new body”
that was difficult to manage. By working hard Like so many of us today, SIRE every week, Ignacio could sit up longer—back too would like to do our part for in September we were counting in minutes, and the environment. To accomplish now he can sit up the entire session. this, SIRE has decided to Go Choosing the right horse has helped Erin Green in several ways. Brown, a longtime SIRE client, succeed after a Donation receipts and thanksetback. Erin fractured her pelvis in a fall at home, you letters will be sent via email and had difficulties when she returned to riding. whenever possible. Help us by With lots of hard work, Erin has graduated writing to a horse with more movement. your email It’s easier with a little help from your address on friends. Two girls, Yessenia Luna and the bottom Sign up now for our Elizabeth Williams, encourage each other. of your monthly Tid-Bits EBeing a team has helped each girl learn check. to new skills and share their friendship. Newsletter! Go To save Another team, Karen Abbott’s riders on paper, www.SIRE-HTEC. org called the “Sensational Six”, has practically printing and and follow the grown up at SIRE on horseback—they postage, in “Jo to s on cti help each other and even have a group instru we are cheer at the end of class. t.” Our Mailing Lis no longer producing With our Safe SIRE Spring this Subscribe sign-up Progress can be measured in many newsletter ll wi ways—how well you hold the reins u yo re, featu in color for steering, how many directions you and have receive SIRE e-news. can follow, recognizing yourself as a decreased the successful person. number of Whitney Faerber’s family has watched pages—to do so, we are unable her grow and improve while riding at SIRE to list all our donors as we have Spring. She has been learning to ride without done in the past. This does not sidewalkers or leaders, and very recently she rode in any way diminish our sincere completely independent. The smile on her face lit gratitude for your generosity.
Tid-Bits
up the arena.
Presentation.
Fort Bend riders have made great strides—some at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Top Hands Horse Show, and some right here in the arena at SIRE.
Five of seven
SIRE Fort Bend riders had never competed before at the show: Sebastian Arizpe, Alyse Delph, Erica Haase, Lance Nicholson and Derrick Perkins. Together with our show veterans Allison Meyer and Cade Zimmerman, these riders performed beautifully in their classes and accomplished individual personal goals.
Our 2008 Child Rider of the Year, Alejandro
Araque, is one of the hardest working riders at SIRE. His strength and ability to use his body effectively to communicate with his horse continue to amaze us all.
Brittany Ricco is having an amazing
semester, as she is taking control of her movements as well as her horse. Brittany can now stop those spasms and work through them. So many wonderful riders, we can’t mention them all, but they all deserve applause. It’s our pleasure and privilege to work with them every week. They truly are our inspiration.
This semester, SIRE Ft. Bend continues to provide a dual riding and educational program As I enter my fifth year for ten autistic students from at SIRE as executive Avondale House. Autism is a director, and amidst the brain development disorder; discouraging economic autistic children have difficulties news in today’s world, I with social interaction, problems thought it would be nice with verbal and nonverbal to reflect on something communication, and repetitive positive—the growth in our behaviors or narrow, obsessive ridership. We set a record in interests. the fall of 2008 of 260 riding Vivien Savage, one of our sessions per week. During all NARHA Certified Instructor, is these years, I have had one heading up the program at SIRE, driving consideration in every assisted by decision I make, and that is Amy Casper, SIRE riders. a volunteer I wrote a couple of years with a Masters ago, “If you build it, they degree in CAN come”—and it has Education. proven to be the truth. It While half of was never more obvious the group of at the Top Hands Show at ten students the Houston Livestock Show and is riding, Rodeo. Over 200 riders participated the other in this special event for children half works and adults with disabilities; SIRE in our “barn was represented by 43 riders, the classroom.” largest group of riders! Not only did For the our riders take home buckles, trophies classroom, and ribbons, but more importantly, a SIRE volunteer Amy Lundblad has sense of pride and accomplishment for created an entire barn backdrop meeting personal goals. One of our riders, Nicole Larson, won her 13th belt buckle. She represents the to assist the students in learning core of everything we do at SIRE. what is involved The downturn in the economy has hit everyone, and SIRE is no exception. in the care of a Even during these severe economic times, it is our donors that have been horse—from feeding faithful to and focused on our mission. I want to extend my personal gratitude to and bathing to the Did you know that you everyone for your continued support. I know 2009 will continue to be another equipment needed can sponsor a rider at record-setting year for SIRE. to keep their favorite —Jimm Williams, Executive Director SIRE? A donation of $5 85 mount healthy and can sponsor tuition for happy. You really a should come see deserving rider. Go to www. their classroom! It’s SIRE-HTEC.org, click on the exciting to watch the Time to kick up your heels at our 2009 Sensational Shindig! The drop-down menu titled students grow in their annual black-tie extravaganza will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel understanding and “You Can Help” to spon sor a Downtown on Saturday, May 9th—you don't want to miss it! Our relationship with their rider. We take Pay-Pal! Shindig will feature fine dining with a seated dinner, great music, horse. dancing, and an incredible auction. Please contact us at 281-356-7588 —Joelle Devlin
Reflections
Say Yes
Dust Off Your Diamonds to purchase tickets or donate auction items.
Learning More
Let Our Riders Inspire You SIRE is about success and
we have as many stories of
huge accomplishment for some of our riders,
Being able to sit upright on a horse is a
achievement as we have
especially for those in wheelchairs like Megan Fry.
clients. Recently, several
Recently, she participated in the Top Hands
clients have demonstrated
Horse Show, and demonstrated
huge improvements in their
her abilities at the Horses
skills—let us tell you about a
& Humans Research
few of them.
Foundation’s Open House
SIRE Hockley With the help of SIRE Hockley volunteers PJ Murray & Sabrina Shawn, Ignacio Murguia demonstrates his most recent accomplishment—being able to sit up for an entire session.
SIRE Goes Green
Ignacio Murguia had surgery to straighten his legs, and
SIRE Ft. Bend
he grew several inches.
Several
When he came back to ride, he had a “new body”
that was difficult to manage. By working hard Like so many of us today, SIRE every week, Ignacio could sit up longer—back too would like to do our part for in September we were counting in minutes, and the environment. To accomplish now he can sit up the entire session. this, SIRE has decided to Go Choosing the right horse has helped Erin Green in several ways. Brown, a longtime SIRE client, succeed after a Donation receipts and thanksetback. Erin fractured her pelvis in a fall at home, you letters will be sent via email and had difficulties when she returned to riding. whenever possible. Help us by With lots of hard work, Erin has graduated writing to a horse with more movement. your email It’s easier with a little help from your address on friends. Two girls, Yessenia Luna and the bottom Sign up now for our Elizabeth Williams, encourage each other. of your monthly Tid-Bits EBeing a team has helped each girl learn check. to new skills and share their friendship. Newsletter! Go To save Another team, Karen Abbott’s riders on paper, www.SIRE-HTEC. org called the “Sensational Six”, has practically printing and and follow the grown up at SIRE on horseback—they postage, in “Jo to s on cti help each other and even have a group instru we are cheer at the end of class. t.” Our Mailing Lis no longer producing With our Safe SIRE Spring this Subscribe sign-up Progress can be measured in many newsletter ll wi ways—how well you hold the reins u yo re, featu in color for steering, how many directions you and have receive SIRE e-news. can follow, recognizing yourself as a decreased the successful person. number of Whitney Faerber’s family has watched pages—to do so, we are unable her grow and improve while riding at SIRE to list all our donors as we have Spring. She has been learning to ride without done in the past. This does not sidewalkers or leaders, and very recently she rode in any way diminish our sincere completely independent. The smile on her face lit gratitude for your generosity.
Tid-Bits
up the arena.
Presentation.
Fort Bend riders have made great strides—some at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Top Hands Horse Show, and some right here in the arena at SIRE.
Five of seven
SIRE Fort Bend riders had never competed before at the show: Sebastian Arizpe, Alyse Delph, Erica Haase, Lance Nicholson and Derrick Perkins. Together with our show veterans Allison Meyer and Cade Zimmerman, these riders performed beautifully in their classes and accomplished individual personal goals.
Our 2008 Child Rider of the Year, Alejandro
Araque, is one of the hardest working riders at SIRE. His strength and ability to use his body effectively to communicate with his horse continue to amaze us all.
Brittany Ricco is having an amazing
semester, as she is taking control of her movements as well as her horse. Brittany can now stop those spasms and work through them. So many wonderful riders, we can’t mention them all, but they all deserve applause. It’s our pleasure and privilege to work with them every week. They truly are our inspiration.
This semester, SIRE Ft. Bend continues to provide a dual riding and educational program As I enter my fifth year for ten autistic students from at SIRE as executive Avondale House. Autism is a director, and amidst the brain development disorder; discouraging economic autistic children have difficulties news in today’s world, I with social interaction, problems thought it would be nice with verbal and nonverbal to reflect on something communication, and repetitive positive—the growth in our behaviors or narrow, obsessive ridership. We set a record in interests. the fall of 2008 of 260 riding Vivien Savage, one of our sessions per week. During all NARHA Certified Instructor, is these years, I have had one heading up the program at SIRE, driving consideration in every assisted by decision I make, and that is Amy Casper, SIRE riders. a volunteer I wrote a couple of years with a Masters ago, “If you build it, they degree in CAN come”—and it has Education. proven to be the truth. It While half of was never more obvious the group of at the Top Hands Show at ten students the Houston Livestock Show and is riding, Rodeo. Over 200 riders participated the other in this special event for children half works and adults with disabilities; SIRE in our “barn was represented by 43 riders, the classroom.” largest group of riders! Not only did For the our riders take home buckles, trophies classroom, and ribbons, but more importantly, a SIRE volunteer Amy Lundblad has sense of pride and accomplishment for created an entire barn backdrop meeting personal goals. One of our riders, Nicole Larson, won her 13th belt buckle. She represents the to assist the students in learning core of everything we do at SIRE. what is involved The downturn in the economy has hit everyone, and SIRE is no exception. in the care of a Even during these severe economic times, it is our donors that have been horse—from feeding faithful to and focused on our mission. I want to extend my personal gratitude to and bathing to the Did you know that you everyone for your continued support. I know 2009 will continue to be another equipment needed can sponsor a rider at record-setting year for SIRE. to keep their favorite —Jimm Williams, Executive Director SIRE? A donation of $5 85 mount healthy and can sponsor tuition for happy. You really a should come see deserving rider. Go to www. their classroom! It’s SIRE-HTEC.org, click on the exciting to watch the Time to kick up your heels at our 2009 Sensational Shindig! The drop-down menu titled students grow in their annual black-tie extravaganza will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel understanding and “You Can Help” to spon sor a Downtown on Saturday, May 9th—you don't want to miss it! Our relationship with their rider. We take Pay-Pal! Shindig will feature fine dining with a seated dinner, great music, horse. dancing, and an incredible auction. Please contact us at 281-356-7588 —Joelle Devlin
Reflections
Say Yes
Dust Off Your Diamonds to purchase tickets or donate auction items.
Congratulations, Award Winners! President’s Award: Pat Roddy
On Our Website
Warren Reininger Memorial Award: Peggy & Roger Wagner
Our Volunteer Program
Outstanding Administrative Staff: Susan Sanders
SIRE would not be possible without our amazing volunteers—come join us!
Outstanding Staff Member: Hockley–Karen Gardner; Spring–Truman Alexander; Ft. Bend–Maryann Gerity SIRE Super Supporter: Hockley–Gina Mosley, Nicole Larson, Shelby Day, & Nathaniel Hunter; Spring–Shawn Honerkamp; Ft. Bend–Larke Dampeer Client Achievement Award: Hockley–Chris Tagge, Erin Brown, Derek Blackburn, Carolyn Howell, & Ignacio Murguia; Spring– William Keener; Ft. Bend–Alejandro Araque & Derrick Perkins
Trot Down Memory Lane For all those who were hooked by Part One, you can read the finale on our web site
Team SIRE See the photos of our riders at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo’s Top Hands Show
Bill Ryan Memorial Award: Hockley–Teena Edmondson Horse Angel: Hockley–Diane Becker, Luis Cardenas, Heather Cusick, Phyllis Feeney, & Karen Perry; Spring–Blaney Guillory; Ft. Bend–Amy Casper Horse of the Year: Hockley–Bubba; Spring–Rudy; Ft. Bend–Smokey Jr. Volunteer of the Year: Hockley–Daniel Abbott & Alyssa Voznak; Spring– Chris Schultz; Ft. Bend–Jacob Pierce Volunteer of the Year: Hockley–Kitty Darlow; Spring–Caterina Sullivan; Ft. Bend–Bill Cunningham
Barn News Once again we have been blessed with some new equine faces at SIRE
Every Little Bit Helps Did you know that it is the many small donations we receive throughout the course of the year that keeps us up and running?
www.SIRE-HTEC.org
Houston’s Therapeutic Riding Center SIRE Crier North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. PREMIER ACCREDITED CENTER
SIRE Hockley • 281-356-7588 Program Administration 24161 Spring Dr. Hockley, TX 77447
SIRE Spring • 281-353-6160 4610 Sloangate Spring, TX 77373
SIRE Ft. Bend • 281-778-0202 8255 Camp Sienna Trail Missouri City, TX 77459
www.SIRE-HTEC.org SIRE’s calendar, upcoming events, Board of Directors and staff can be found on our website ©2009 SIRE, Inc. – All Rights Reserved Design ©2009 Computer Graphic Design Services & Printing Co.
An amazing statistic is the incredible number of hours that our volunteers devote to the SIRE clients. In 2008, at all three locations, volunteers logged an incredible 31,374 hours! At the average wage of $19.89 per hour for semi-skilled labor, that translates to about $624,029 worth of donated time!
Spring 2009 Newsletter
SIRE, Inc. 24161 Spring Drive Hockley, TX 77447 281-356-7588
NON PROFIT ORG U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 600 Spring, TX
TO: A Friend of SIRE