NONPROFIT SP OTLIGHT
O.A.T.S. Offering Alternative Therapy with Smiles Making Strides for 25 Years BY KENDRA ROGERS, MS - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
3
4
5
1. Kaelyn leading Jack, Remy leading Hope, and Liam leading Summer… our 3 miniature donkeys 2. Doug, the director 3. Delaney riding Liberty 4. Ruth leading Moon with rider, David 5. Cecelia leading Liberty with rider, Nathaniel 6. Kaelyn and three horses conversing 7. Sarrah riding her buddy, Parker in the Rising Stars Horse Show, 2023
1 2
6
“Oats, Oats is the place where we want to be. Horses and ponies and chickens and goats, that’s the life for me”— Judy Insley, music instructor adapted the words to a common children’s song, “Row, Row, Row your boat” to celebrate an oasis of therapeutic animals and its people. OATS, a nonprofit 501 (c)3, is embarking on its 25th year of serving the special needs community in Ortonville, Michigan during 2023. The founder, Nancy, opened the facility in 1997 to address a gap in therapies available to individuals with special needs. Through a relationship with PATH, Int, OATS is able to continue offering high quality, equine assisted services to those with physical and mental differences. Those who work and volunteer with OATS are privileged to see the benefits of animal assisted services firsthand. Doug Rohrabaugh is the current director. He picked up the mantle in 2021 when Beth Pellerito retired after 8
December 2023
many years of service. As the director, Doug oversees the daily operations of OATS to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. He also safeguards the pastures and barn for the animals, volunteers, instructors, riders, and their families. Doug works tirelessly to secure adequate funds to ensure the continued operation of OATS. As a non-profit facility, volunteers and donations make every ride possible. While Doug is an integral part of the operations of OATS, the instructors and volunteers are the backbone. Ruth Hannam who has volunteered since 2008 and began teaching in 2016 says, “The smiles here say it all!” Our highly qualified instructors observe rigorous training to ensure they can safely choose horses for each rider, address each rider’s unique needs, and create engaging classes where riders learn more than horse skills. Each class relies on a group of volunteers to prepare horses, lead horses, walk next
7
to riders, and clean the barn. Without this dedicated group of volunteers, the OATS equine assisted services would cease. Julia, a volunteer who began in the summer of 2023 says, “Volunteering at OATS makes me feel appreciated, and makes me want to be the best person I can be.” In addition to helping with horse care and classes, our volunteers work year-round to maintain the beautiful 40-acre animal sanctuary for the animals and people who enjoy its tranquility. From lawn maintenance to flower beds to the memorial garden, volunteers ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy on OATS’ grounds. Several projects the crew is dreaming of include rebuilding fences and shelters in each pasture for longer life and more protection for the animals and creating a wooded trail for more interesting, relaxing rides. We also hope to be able to update the indoor arena for longevity
