Pal-O-Mine Adopt A Horse Program

According to the United States Census bureau Report, there are over 100,000 residents with disabilities living within the greater New York Metropolitan area. In order to become self sufficient to the greatest extent possible, these people require help.

Students Becoming Independent
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, Inc. was founded to answer this need.Its mission is to provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing.  Our population includes children and adults with disabilities, those who have been abused or neglected, war veterans and the economically compromised.

It has long been established that therapeutic riding represents an effective means of treating those with disabilities by promoting independence, socialization skills, community integration, mobility, confidence, and self-esteem. Gains can be observed in motor functioning, gait, conceptual imaging, sensory integration, cortical organization, respiration, circulation, posture and balance.

Why am I writing this letter? The answer is simple - to ensure that my efforts at Pal-O-Mine are not inhibited by lack of funds.

More than three hundred Pal-O-Mine students are making strides towards becoming more independent!

Dramatic Strides
Sometimes these strides are painfully slow, as in the case of nineteen year-old Michelle, severely disabled with cerebral palsy. Initially, she would fall forward onto the horse's neck unless supported by a back rider (instructor riding behind her on the horse) and a side aide. Now, three years later, she is able to sit with minimal support for ten to fifteen minutes, and steers her mount through simple obstacle courses. Sometimes the strides are dramatic as evidenced by Chris, in his twenties with a traumatic brain injury. Initially, he had to be wheeled up the mounting ramp, and it took three individuals to help him onto a horse and then support his back and keep his balance as the horse moved off at a snail's pace! Today, Chris walks up the ramp with a little support from the railing, mounts the "able bodied" way, and rides independently. But whether results are steady or dramatic, in all cases, gains made are terribly significant to participants and their families!

Pal-O-Mine is atypical of not-for-profit organization: currently we have a staff of 6 full time staff and 13 part time contractors. There are no professional fundraisers on staff. There are no public relations people on staff. There is no bureaucracy. Pal-O-Mine depends almost exclusively on volunteers, and funds donated go directly to support programs that help people with disabilities.

A Roof Over Our Heads
Why am I writing this letter? The answer is simple - to ensure that my efforts at Pal-O-Mine are not inhibited by lack of funds. Seventeen dedicated colleagues and myself carry the weight of the program on our backs. It is through our patience and skill that individuals with disabilities take strides towards greater independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem. We volunteer one hundred percent of our time to the program, yet do not draw a penny in salary. All we seek is minimal support - a roof over our heads, adequate feed, a change of shoes every now and then, some medicine when we get sick, a warm blanket for the winter months. My basic needs cost about $8,000 each year - a sum considerably below what our government considers "poverty level".

Sponsor My Activities
You have probably surmised by now that I am of the equine persuasion. In all honesty, I did not type this letter; thank God for voice activated software! Will you consider helping Pal-O-Mine Equestrian continue and indeed expand its mission to aid those with disabilities in and about the Long Island region? While any donation would be gratefully appreciated, my personal hope is that you or your company will consider sponsoring my activities over the course of the next twelve months. Not only would I be most grateful, but so too would the many riders with disabilities who have become my close friends. The attached resume should convince you that my credentials are impeccable. If it is not within your means to support my annual needs, please click on our Adopt-A-Rider Program for other options.

Your Office or My Stall
I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you (your office or my stall) at your earliest convenience. To arrange such a meeting, please call my assistant, Lisa Gatti, or myself at 631-348-1389. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Mail to:
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, Inc.
829 Old Nichols Road
Islandia, NY 11749

All donations are tax deductible

Other ways to help Pal-O-Mine: