Pal-O-Mine In The Press

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian: Lisa Gatti

Please view this article in full in the WINTER 2013 issue of GEM Magazine.

Hometown Briefs: Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian in Islandia received assistance from ABCO Peerless Sprinkler Corporation in HIcksville and ADJO Contracting Corp in Bohemia.  ABCO donated and assembled a sprinkler system in the barn and offices.  ADJO installed dry wells into the ground throughout the property to improve drainage issues in the paddocks, parking lot, and outer track.

This article was taken from the Hometown Briefs section of NMG's Star Editorial, Book 208, Pg 13

Foundation Grow Horse Show Benefits Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

Benefit Showcased Young Riders with Disabilities Participating in Equine Competitions

 

On Saturday, October 6, 2012 the 5th Annual Foundation GROW Horse Show took place at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian in Islandia, New York.  Foundation GROW of Shelter Island, New York provides yound riders opportunities to take part in equine programs through scholarships and sponsored events with therapeutic riding organizations.  The Foundation GROW Gorse Show showcased riders with disabilities while raising funds for Pal-O-Mine Equestrian.

More than 40 riders competed in equitation, dressage and futures classes.  Foundation GROW Co-Founder, Ellen Lear, assisted the yound equestrians as they were judged on their ability to steer and to get their horses to walk, trot or canter depending on the class they were competing in.  Helen Freund and Cliff Schadt judged the competetions.  Helen Freund has taught riding to individuals with disabilities for many years and currently is a successful dressage rider.  Cliff Schadt's diverse experience with jumpers, polo ponies, race horses, western pleasure, reining, cutting, working ranch and rodeo horses allows him to cater to all disciplines of horses and horsemen.

The horse show allowed riders with limited mobility on the ground to exhibit their skills on horseback.  The benefit showcased how participants normally inhibited by obstacles are able to overcome physical barriers and move freely witht he help of horses.  Pal-O-Mine and Foundation GROW are thankful to the volunteers, judges, vendors, sponsors and everyone involved for helping to make this a spectacular show experience and a winning outcome for all.

For more information about Pal-O-Mine Equestrian or donating to Pal-O-Mine Equestrian through either donations or services, please contact Pal-O-Mine at (631) 348-1389 or visit www.pal-o-mine.org.

 

ABOUT FOUNDATION GROW

Foundation GROW enables yound equestrians in the New York Metropolitan area from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, including those with physical and/or emotional disabilities, to pursue their dreams and goals in equestrian sports.  Foundation GROW provides scholarships for horseback riding lessons and opportunities to experience barn life.  Bonding with a horse promotees life-enhancing values such as self-esteem, integrity, responsibility and compassion.  For more information, visit www.foundationgrow.org.

 

ABOUT PAL-O-MINE

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian's roots date back to 1993 when Founder and Director Lisa Gatti started a therapeutic riding program for individuals with disabilities.  Its mission is to provide a comprehensice therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing.  Our population includes children and adults with disabilites, those who have been abused or neglected, the military and the economically compromised.  Pal-O-Mine operates a full time program, seven days a week, twelve months a year, and supports eighteen program horses on an 8-acre facility serving 350 individuals with disabilites weekly.  For more information, visit www.pal-o-mine.org or call 631-348-1389.

 

This article was written by South Shore Press and is published in their December 5, 2012 issue.

Sprucing up, with a little help from friends

The facilities as Pal-O-Mine Equestrian are in better shape after teams of employees from three corporations volunteered their time on various projects.  Located in Islandia, Pal-O-Mine provides equine therapy and recreation to individuals with special needs.

Volunteers from People's Alliance Federal Credit Union in Hauppauge painted new PVC poles, which will be used in therapeutic lessons.  A team from Levito Manufacturing Co. in Melville stained the monting ramp and built two mounting blocks, an off-side bloack and five new hay boxes for the horses.  And employees of GE Aviation, which has a facility in Bohemia, stained the boardwalk and chairs, painted the gazebos and built a new shed to hold grain for the horses.

 

View the full article at libn.com or see Long Island Business News Aug. 17-23, 2012 pg. 52A

Sandy cut-a-thon raises funds for 2 causes

9:48 AM By Kathleen Fordyce, Special to newsday.com

Check out the article on Newsday.com here!

 

When Melissa Wandursky isn’t cutting hair at the Dix Hills Cactus Salon, she can often be found volunteering at Islandia-based Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, a nonprofit therapeutic riding program.

But like many places on Long Island, Pal-O-Mine was hit hard by superstorm Sandy, forcing it to close for about two weeks. So when Cactus Salon organized the “Hurricane Sandy Cut-For-A-Cause” fundraiser for both Pal-O-Mine and Island Harvest, the largest hunger relief organization on the Island, Wandursky jumped in.

On Sunday, she was one of about 60 hairdressers at six Cactus Salon locations around the Island volunteering for a three-hour cut-a-thon.

“It was a perfect way to help,” she said, while teasing someone’s wet hair at the Cactus Salon in Smithtown. “Right up my alley.”

The fundraiser was the brainchild of Mandi Budah, Pal-O-Mine’s volunteer coordinator.

Budah said Pal-O-Mine suffered significant property damage and was without power for two weeks. Due to the ensuing gas shortage, during which many restricted their travel, the organization was without the help of 150 regular volunteers.

As a result, Pal-O-Mine had to cancel the lessons of its 350 students for two weeks.

A family member connected Budah with Cactus Salon, and six locations — in East Islip, Manorville, Nesconset, Northport, Plainview and Smithtown — agreed to participate. They decided to split the money between Pal-O-Mine and Island Harvest to reach more people in need of help. Fragrance.net donated items for a raffle and other local businesses threw in some prizes, too.

“Normally when we do a cut-a-thon, we charge $20 and give half to the charity,” said Karen Vito, Cactus Salon’s marketing director. “But this time, because of the incredible devastation, we decided to donate 100 percent of the money not only to help [Pal-O-Mine], but help people Islandwide. Everyone was affected by the storm so everyone wants to help. It’s moving, to say the least.”

Joan Aruanna, of St. James, visited the Smithtown salon.

“I’m very lucky and I feel terrible for these people,” she said of those affected by the storm. “I needed a haircut anyway and it’s a great cause, so I decided to come.”

Lorraine McDermott, of Smithtown, got a haircut along with her 3-year-old daughter, Leila. Lorraine said she was happy to see companies getting creative in their aid efforts.

“It’s nice that you can contribute in different ways,” she said. “You would never think that you could get a haircut and help out at the same time. It’s great that so many companies and businesses are able to fundraise like this.”

Polo for Pal-O-Mine

On Saturday, April 28, 2012, the 1^st Annual Polo for Pal-O-Mine will be held at Country Farms, a premier equestrian event facility in Medford, NY.  The event takes place from 2pm-8pm and all proceeds will benefit Pal-O-Mine Equestrian programs.

The day will feature a barbeque, carnival attractions, face painting, raffles and a trophy ceremony.  Guests will be able to experience the exciting and extreme sport of polo by participating in an unmounted polo lesson and attending a professional match.  

The cost of the event per person is $25 pre-purchased or $30 purchased at the door.  All proceeds will benefit Pal-O-Mine programs including Equine Assisted Activities for returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan, Therapeutic Riding Scholarships for children with disabilities, and Equine Assisted Speech Therapy for children who are four years old and younger.

 

Read the original article: http://patchogue.patch.com/events/polo-for-pal-o-mine

Pal-O-Mine Receives Donation From Marcie Mazzola Foundation

Long Island City Company Donates Coffee to Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

(Islandia, NY)Pal-O-Mine Equestrian announces it has received a donation of 24 pounds of coffee from the White Coffee Co., a specialty coffee and complimentary products company located in Long Island City, New York. Pal -O-Mine Equestrian operates numerous programs year-round and events focused on offering therapeutic horseback riding to individuals with disabilities.  The coffee will be offered to staff and other adults at the facility and will help off-set the costs associated with buying refreshments throughout the year for the organization.

”We are thrilled to have received the donation from White Coffee Co.,” says Lisa Gatti, Executive Director of Pal-O-Mine.  “Our staff and visitors are avid coffee drinkers and they are all raving about the quality of the coffee.  Donations of food and drink are incredibly helpful and we thank White Coffee for its very generous donation.”
 
For more information about Pal-O-Mine Equestrian or donating to Pal-O-Mine through either donations or services, please contact Pal-O-Mine at (631) 348-1389 or visit www.pal-o-mine.org. 
 
ABOUT WHITE COFFEE
White Coffee is a beverage company based in Long Island City, NY and was established in 1939 by David White.  White Coffee has grown from a company specializing in office coffee supply to a provider of high quality service and innovative products including specialty coffees, an assortment of teas, and complimentary items.  The mission of White Coffee is to provide quality-based solutions to customers’ ever-changing needs while insuring every customer’s satisfaction.  For more information on White Coffee, visit www.whitecoffee.com.
 
ABOUT PAL-O-MINE
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian’s roots date back to 1993 when Founder and Director Lisa Gatti started a therapeutic riding program for individuals with disabilities.  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, the military and the economically compromised.  Pal-O-Mine operates a full time program, seven days a week, twelve months a year, and supports eighteen program horses on an 8-acre facility serving 300 individuals with disabilities weekly.  For more information, visit www.pal-o-mine.org or call 631-348-1389.

 

Read the original article at: http://www.longislandexchange.com/press/2012/04/30/white-coffee-company-helps-non-profit/

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian Receives Donations for Summer Camp Program

Temple Grandin Speaks at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian Event

Written by Dr. Cynthia Paulis Friday, 03 February 2012 00:00

Garden City board member praises riding program for individuals with disabilities

Temple Grandin has never let labels define who she is and what she can accomplish. In 1950, at the age of 2 when she couldn’t speak, she was diagnosed with autism and labeled as brain damaged. It was recommended that she be institutionalized.

Today, Dr. Temple Grandin is an international speaker, author of several books on autism and animal welfare and was the focus of an HBO film titled Temple Grandin, which was nominated for 15 Emmy Awards and earned five. She has been listed as Time’s 100 most influential people in the world under the category of heroes. Grandin has a Ph.D in animal science from the University of Illinois and has designed one third of all livestock handling facilities in the United States and many other countries. She is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and a frequent lecturer on autism.

Recently, 330 people came to Temple Beth-El in Great Neck from all walks of life, teachers, parents, educators as far away as Australia, Texas, and Connecticut to listen to Temple Grandin. The event was sponsored by Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, which is a therapeutic riding program for individuals with disabilities. Owner and founder of Pal-O-Mine, Lisa Gatti invited Dr. Grandin as the speaker. “I thought it would be a really good idea to bring Temple Grandin here because 30 percent of the population we see at Pal-O-Mine is on the autism spectrum, so for teachers it is a wealth of knowledge that we are lucky to have and it would benefit our students,” said Gatti.

As a special education teacher, Gatti grew up with horses in Dix Hills and didn’t think of combining the two until she read Danielle Steel’s book Palomino where the main character, a horse rider becomes a quadriplegic and opens up a ranch in Wyoming for children with disabilities. She thought it was a good way to combine the two and in 1996, Steel gave her an $8,000 grant. Pal-O-Mine operates a full-time program, seven days a week, 12 months a year. It supports 19 program horses on an 8-acre facility serving 300 individuals with disabilities weekly.

Garden City resident Deborah Hussey has been involved with Pal-O-Mine for 10 years as a volunteer and a board member. “It’s the most amazing place I’ve ever come across. I fell in love with it and fell in love with the kids,” she said. Hussey was mesmerized by Grandin who not only spoke for two hours on autism but then spent the next 45 minutes answering questions. The event was followed by lunch where Grandin mingled with guests, listened to problems offering advice for those caring for autistic children, signed books and stayed until the last guest left.

Tall, lean, and wearing her trademark western wear, Grandin shared with me who were the three most important people in her life, “My mother who kept me out of an institution because kids that didn’t talk were put in institutions. My science teacher, who got me interested in school and in studying. I was a goofball student. I didn’t care about studying and he really got me turned around. My aunt, who had a ranch in Arizona and got me interested in animals,” Grandin said.

The visit to her aunt’s ranch was a turning point for Grandin. Socially isolated and bullied, Grandin developed a strong bond with the cows and started studying them. She noted the way cattle were inoculated while confined in a squeeze chute, and how some of the cattle immediately calmed down after pressure was administered. She realized that deep pressure from the chute had a calming effect on the cattle and decided that something similar might help her settle down her own hypersensitivity of being touched. She invented the “hug machine” with the encouragement of her science teacher. Today several therapy programs in the United States use hug machines, effectively achieving calming effects among both children and adults with autism.

Grandin showed photos of her “hug machine” which, “helped reduce my anxiety and panic attacks.” She went on to explain that “fear is the main emotion in autism.” Grandin is now on low-dose tricyclics help her panic attacks. She cautions, “There is a place for medication but carefully. Doctors have a tendency to throw drugs at them (autistic children) without thinking about what they are doing.” Grandin told the audience, “My hugging machine broke and I didn’t bother to fix it. Now I get hugs from real people,” as the room filled with applause.

Grandin shared with the audience her own experience being autistic. “Autism is not a precise diagnosis. The frontal cortex is used less because it has missing circuits,” she said.

She showed a picture of her head Cat scan compared to a normal head CT and went on to explain that she is a visual thinker. “My mind works like Google for images. Everything I think about has to be visual. I can remember the frustration of not being able to communicate. Words didn’t mean anything to me.”

One thing she emphasized was that, “Early education is important. A child has to be pushed to keep learning new skills. Good work skills are important. You have to stretch these kids, teach them how to do things for themselves. Some of these kids are too coddled. They aren’t playing outside making up their own rules. We have to get these kids out in the community.”

On social manners she had this comment: “I am appalled at how many kids are not taught manners. When I made a social mistake my mother didn’t yell at me she just gave me instructions. I was pulling on the dog’s ear so my mom pulled on my ear. It hurt and I didn’t do it again.”

Jackie Humans, whose daughter was bullied and wrote a book about it, asked Grandin how she handled it. “Some of the worst times of my life were in high school. Getting kids involved in school clubs and in shared interests helps. I was not teased when I was involved in horseback riding. I remember being called Buzzard Woman. That stopped when I became involved in a variety show and helped build the sets,” she said.

Grandin gave a comprehensive and inspiring lecture on autism sharing her own personal experiences with thoughtfulness and humor. She credits much of her success to good teachers along the way. “My job is my identity. I will teach until I can’t talk anymore.” Temple Grandin has found her voice.

The original article can be found here:

http://www.antonnews.com/gardencitylife/news/20648-temple-grandin-speaks-at-pal-o-mine-equestrian-event.html