Summer Camp Intern Search Begins!

Do you know someone?

Mane Stream’s summer camp is the perfect place to combine your love for helping others with a passion for horses! As a Summer Camp Intern, you’ll play a key role in creating meaningful connections, supporting campers of all abilities, and sharing the joys of horsemanship. Gain hands-on experience, build leadership skills, and make a real difference—one ride at a time!

This internship is ideal for college students pursuing degrees in special education, art education, psychology, equine studies, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, or related fields. Interns gain valuable experience in adaptive recreation, assist with daily camp activities, and learn from professionals in equine-assisted services. Internships are volunteer positions and may qualify for college credit depending on the school. Many past interns have said their time at Mane Stream helped shape their career paths and provided lifelong memories. Learn more about our internships!

NEW Therapy Partnership Starts 3/7

Spring DBT Skills Groups & Individual Therapy at Mane Stream starts 3/7!

We’re pleased to announce a NEW partnership with Liz Johnson, LCSW, and Lizzy Ellman, PsyD., who are both intensively trained and experienced DBT therapists. Join Liz & Lizzy for equine-assisted Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills groups, where participants will learn valuable strategies for emotional regulation, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness—all alongside our incredible herd.

🗓 Fridays, Beginning March 7th
✨ Adult Group (18+) – 3:00 PM
✨ Adolescent Group (14-18) – 4:30 PM

In addition to group sessions, this partnership also offers:
🐴 Individual DBT Sessions with Equine Interactions
🐴 Individual Trauma Therapy with Equine Interactions
These one-on-one sessions provide personalized support and will be scheduled separately.

Space for group sessions is limited—sign up today!

For more info, contact Liz 551-264-1014 OR liz@thebtcollective.com
thebehavioraltherapycollective.com

Toddler Program Starts Back Up!

PADDOCK PALS (2-4 years old)

5-Week Program: March 5 thru April 2
Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:30AM

Creative play is important for kiddos! There are several milestones that lead up to being able to play creatively, so come to the barn to give your little ones plenty of opportunities to practice. We limit the group to a max of 6 little adventurers with a caregiver each.

Spend each jam-packed one-hour session with excitement, from circle time, captivating horse tales, horse-themed adventures including arts & crafts, and music. The grand finale is a pony ride for each tyke!

Spring session begins March 5th

For more information & to sign up contact: 
Holland Kochanski
PATH Intl. Certified Registered Instructor & Proud Mom
Holland@manestreamnj.org

Join Our FREE Horses for Healing Spring Session!

Are you or someone you know living with cancer or Parkinson’s Disease?

Mane Stream’s Horses for Healing program offers a unique, no-cost opportunity to step away from daily stress and focus on rebuilding physical, emotional, and mental well-being—all with the help of our gentle, intuitive horses.

Our Spring session begins in mid-April, and spaces are limited! Don’t miss this chance to experience the benefits of equine-assisted activities in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Learn more and apply today: Horses for Healing
or call 908-439-9636 for any questions.

The Newest Therapist on Staff!

Meet Therese D’Adezzio, OTR/L

We are thrilled to welcome Therese as one of the newest members of the Mane Stream team. Born and raised in central New Jersey, Therese is a NJ-licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) with a master’s degree from Kean University. Since 2021, she has worked primarily in early intervention and adult home care, with additional experience in inpatient rehabilitation, mental health treatment, substance use recovery, and pediatric outpatient therapy. Her academic background includes dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Psychology from Kean University and The University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ (UMDNJ).

Therese’s passion for empowering individuals to live their best lives is evident in her work. She takes pride in helping clients build confidence and skills to engage in meaningful activities, always putting their needs first. Her dedication to serving the community is matched by her enthusiasm for her hobbies, including spending time with her dogs Andy and Daisy, exploring new cuisines, attending concerts, and working on her brilliant orange 1973 Volkswagen Westfalia bus.

Emily M. Istvan, MS, OTR/L and PATH Intl. Certified Registered Instructor, who mentored Therese last fall shares, “Therese brings such positive energy to her sessions! Her background in early intervention shines through as she implements child-led activities while helping clients achieve their goals. She makes learning new skills fun and truly meets her clients where they are.”

Therese has already made an impact at Mane Stream. Director of Program Services Jen Dermody added, “Therese quickly demonstrated her expertise and ability to connect with clients and families. She builds trust, even with clients who are harder to engage, and her professionalism and clear communication have earned her high praise.”

Please join us in welcoming Therese and celebrating her contributions to the Mane Stream family! She is currently treating clients on Wednesday afternoons.

Vote for Hunterdon Happenings: BEST CHARITY!

We’ve been NOMINATED FOR BEST "CHARITY" in Hunterdon county

And we thank you!

Last year we were a finalist for BEST CHARITY so this year we hope there are a few more people who think Mane Stream is the Best.

Now, all we need is your vote to win!

Hunterdon Happenings: Everything Hunterdon Section - CHARITY

Mane Stream is listed as a "CHARITY" under the "Everything Hunterdon" section. Everyone can get behind our mission to help children and adults with special needs! But did you know that Mane Stream is the 2nd oldest facility of its kind in the nation? That means we’ve been providing quality services to thousands of people over the years.

Get your fingers ready to cast your vote. Only 1 vote per email so it's easy! VOTE for BEST CHARITY

Welcome Our NEW Instructor!

Meet Mary Blackwell

Mary has had an affinity for horses since she was born. However, she didn't get to ride seriously until she was in college, and feels extremely privileged to have been able to make it her career. Mary graduated from Centenary University with a bachelor of science in equine studies and has been working in the horse industry ever since. She has enjoyed being a riding instructor, a barn manager, a trainer, and a 'r' dressage judge. She also has her USDF silver and bronze medals. Mary specializes in dressage and balanced riding and is looking forward to bringing that with her to Mane Stream. Her passion for horses, what they can teach us, and how special the energy between horses and people is, has increased throughout her life and she strives to bring that to everyone she teaches. Outside of horses, Mary currently lives in Frenchtown, has two amazing daughters who are almost done with college, and enjoys spending time with them and her family and friends.

A heartfelt thank you to Red Tail Farm for being such a wonderful ambassador for Mane Stream. We’re incredibly grateful to welcome another fantastic addition to our team!

Introducing Equine-Assisted DBT Skills Groups

new partnership at Mane Stream!

Do you know someone looking for evidence-based treatment in a non-traditional setting? We are excited to announce Liz Johnson, LCSW, and Lizzy Ellman, PsyD., who are both intensively trained and experienced DBT therapists, are facilitating DBT skills groups for adults and adolescents that include equine interactions at Mane Stream!

What to Expect?

In Equine-Assisted DBT groups, participants will learn mindfulness skills, build emotion regulation skills, improve interpersonal effectiveness skills, and strengthen distress tolerance skills.

Why Include Equine Interactions?

Horses are sensitive to human emotions and body language, making them an ideal partner in the therapeutic process, while also allowing group participants to engage in hands-on, experiential learning and skill building. Utilizing equine interactions increases patient motivation and engagement, facilitates rapport building, allows for reciprocal relational exchanges with the horse, and provides unique ways to practice therapy techniques and build skills.

Group Details:
Late February – May 2025, Friday Afternoons & Evenings
Mane Stream in Oldwick, NJ (83 Old Turnpike Road, Oldwick, NJ)
Adult Group (18 and up) and Adolescent Group (ages 14-18)
Limited Spaces Available: Early registration is encouraged!
Insurance: Services are out-of-network, though electronic submittal is available
for participants who have out-of-network benefits.

Why Choose Liz & Lizzy?

Expert Facilitators: Liz Johnson and Lizzy Ellman are seasoned DBT professionals, as well as equestrians, with years of experience helping clients develop the skills they need to live more balanced, fulfilling lives.

Reach out with questions!

Feel free to reach out with any questions or for more information at 551-264-1014 or liz@thebtcollective.com! Potential group participants are also welcome to contact us directly to begin enrollment, and feel free to share our Equine-Assisted DBT Skills Groups flyer. 

Become the Next Summer Camp Intern

Where Fun Meets Personal Growth!

Are you ready for an unforgettable summer experience that combines your passion for helping others with making a real difference? Mane Stream’s summer camp is the perfect place to create meaningful connections while sharing the joys of horsemanship.

Our camp runs for 11 weeks, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, offering an ideal schedule for interns who want to make a positive impact while still enjoying plenty of time for summer fun. This flexible position requires a minimum commitment of six weeks or several days a week throughout the summer from 8:00am to 12:45pm, making it easy to balance with other activities or even a part-time job.

This volunteer internship is an excellent opportunity for college students majoring in special education, art education, or therapy fields like occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), speech-language pathology (SLP), or counseling. It’s also open to anyone passionate about working with individuals of varying abilities. While equine studies majors are welcome, horse experience is not mandatory – we’ll provide all the training you need to support campers and help them thrive!

Our 2024 Camp Interns worked closely with Camp Activities Specialist Anna Squindo and Camp Director Kathy Dermody to deliver a camp experience filled with creativity, empowerment, and fun. The thoughtfully designed curriculum blended horsemanship skills, arts and crafts, and educational activities tailored to meet the diverse needs of our campers.

Interns gained hands-on experience in teamwork, adaptability, and fostering an inclusive environment where every camper could shine. From the first hesitant moments of interacting with a horse to the jubilant triumph of the end-of-week horse show, interns helped campers build confidence, independence, and lasting memories.

At Mane Stream, it’s more than just an internship – it’s about becoming part of a supportive community that celebrates shared achievements. Interns leave with valuable skills that can enhance their future careers, along with connections and memories to last a lifetime. Many participants also qualify for college credits for their time with us.

We’re on the lookout for several passionate, motivated individuals to join our 2025 summer camp team. Stay tuned for inspiring stories from last year’s interns about how this opportunity helped them grow personally and professionally.

Ready to make a difference this summer? Spread the word or apply today to be part of our mission to improve lives through adaptive riding and equine-assisted activities. Let’s make 2025 a summer to remember!

Welcome Ari!

Ari, previously known as Lamerii in the show ring is a stunning chestnut Irish Sport Horse who joined the Mane Stream herd in December 2024. This 16.2 gelding, donated by Cheryl Rouge, has seamlessly transitioned into both the lesson program and the herd dynamic, quickly forming friendships with Don and Buzz. With his previous experience as a successful hunter competitor, Ari confidently works at the walk, trot, and canter, and jumping making him an invaluable addition to our program.

Fun fact: The name Ari carries rich meanings across cultures!

• In Hebrew, it translates to "lion," symbolizing strength, courage, and leadership.

• In Badaga, it means "sun-like."

• And in Korean, it signifies "pretty, lovely, and beautiful."

We’re thrilled to have Ari, whose noble nature perfectly matches the meaning of his name, as part of the Mane Stream family! 🐴✨