A Passion for Therapeutic Riding…

…Changed the Course of My Life

50 PEOPLE FOR 50 YEARS: KAREN BOCKSEL

A move from Toronto to NJ and an article from a local realtor about our programs introduced Karen to Mane Stream (then SHHRC). The year was 1990 and Mane Stream was still located at Octavia Brown’s farm. Karen’s passion for horses and trail riding first led her to become a volunteer then she trained with Octavia to become an instructor and joined the Board of Directors. She served as secretary for 4 years while also teaching and doing tons of other work around the barn and with the riders. Karen took over as Head Instructor/Program Director in early 1997 and became Executive Director in 1998, a position she held for 2 years. In fact, Karen was the Executive Director when Mane Stream opened our current facility.

Former Executive Director, Karen Bocksel at one of our fundraising events.

When Karen first started volunteering at Mane Stream, she was amazed at how much was done for the riders with very little fundraising involved, “There were no paid employees, it was all done by a volunteer staff which created a wonderful sense of community and there were never enough hours in the day.” Karen recalled, “One of my earliest memories is of the wonderful ride-a-thons we did throughout Bedminister, and the neighbors who all brought their horses for our riders to go out in two huge groups.” She isn’t alone as many people that we have contacted for the 50 People for 50 Years recount these rides as memorable experiences for similar reasons:   the wonderful fall weather and the feeling of community.

Karen has many fond memories of her time at Mane Stream and she shared one of her favorites. “I remember the day a very petite senior rider, with advanced MS, could not ride her usual small horse because the horse was having a rest day. We put her on Sue, a great big Quarter Horse instead. We got into the old outdoor ring and the rider began to say, ‘Oh my, oh my.’ Well, her wheelchair was all the way back at the mounting block. I asked her what was wrong she said ‘I'm walking, I'm walking, I feel like I'm walking at the mall, it is wonderful.’ Needless to say, Sue, became the rider’s new mount. Years later, at the Hampton Classic horse show, Karen met the rider’s daughter and her husband (both were riding at the Classic) and they said she no longer rides but still talks about her experience at Mane Stream.”

Wearing so many hats during her tenure at Mane Stream, Karen worked with a number of volunteers, instructors, therapists, participants, and board members. For Karen, it was wonderful to watch the program grow, “I was Executive Director when we were looking for our new home and was involved throughout the building process. We started hippotherapy with one speech-language pathologist and one client and we did the first summer of ‘Camp Cold Brook' which was inclusionary with both special needs and their typically developing peers.”

This was also when Mane Stream became a Premier Accredited Center of PATH Intl. (NARHA at the time.) “When looking back there are many proud moments to recall, especially the day we opened the new center, all of the horses in beautiful stalls, tack in the heated tack room, office space, no more PORTA JOHN, an apartment for live-in help, and being able to see lessons every day!” Karen could go on forever talking about the benefits Mane Stream’s programs and why having the new facility was so important.

Once the new facility was finished and expanded programming solidly in place, Karen moved on to co-found TRAC (Therapeutic Riding at Centenary) with Octavia Brown, and subsequently created The Center for Therapeutic Riding of the East End in Sagaponack, NY, where she is currently the Executive Director. She was the recipient of the 2015 Hampton Classic Horse Show’s Long Island Sportsmanship Award, the 2008 PATH Intl. President’s Award, and the 1994 PATH Intl. regional volunteer of the year award.

 

Karen shared a final memory of when, years after leaving Mane Stream, she met Melanie Dominko-Richards, now Director of Therapy Services, at a PATH Intl. mentor training in Maryland. Karen said, “Seeing Mel there [after knowing her when she was a teenager] and seeing that she had become a speech-language pathologist and riding instructor at Mane Stream, because of the time she spent at SHHRC, was truly amazing and so gratifying to see.”

 

Thank you for your years of service, Karen, during such an important time in our history – the construction at 83 Old Turnpike Rd.

The Passion to Lead

50 People for 50 Years: Gayle Conover

The Transition from Volunteer to Board President

Perhaps it was providence through her horse loving daughter that led Gayle Conover to SHHRC (now Mane Stream). Her daughter was a bit too young at 13 to volunteer so Octavia Brown suggested Gayle come along with her daughter and according to Gayle, “And so it began.”

Gayle remembers, “I met many new and special friends with the same goals: to volunteer, and to make a difference in the people we served. I learned a lot about the special needs community, something I never could have learned on my own. It was also a great time to spend with my daughter outside of our own riding and horse related life!”  Gayle witnessed the dedication of countless volunteers and the commitment to the program was impressive. “In the early days, before the new facility was built, a lot of hard work was involved with limited resources, but it never compromised the quality of lessons.” 

Board members like Jill Thomas, Sheila Tweedie, and Mary Pat Gallagher became Gayle’s go to girls during the new construction. They worked right alongside the guys that Gayle had wrangled into helping. One was Gayle’s husband Wayne, who supported her through all of her absent hours at work and at home. The other Board member was Carmen Paterniti, “We couldn’t have done it without the countless volunteers, too many to mention, but so hard working. The therapists who would amaze me with their knowledge, and the instructors who developed a deep trust with so many of the clients.”

“When time spent on a horse can help a non-verbal child to speak for the first time, it is life changing. Therapeutic (Adaptive) Riding has so many benefits for the clients and their families. Offering occupational, physical, and speech-language therapies on-site is also a very important aspect of the benefits to the program.”  According to Gayle, clients came from near and far to be a part of Mane Stream. Teenagers volunteered to show their commitment to community service which is a huge part of a well-rounded student applying for college.  Volunteers worked side by side with the same goal, of making it the best experience for a client.

The hardest thing for Gayle was moving from a volunteer to board member. She missed being in the riding ring with the students she got to know so well, however, she recognized the potential of the program and the prospect of raising funds to build a new facility that would ensure the means to serve more participants and expand the programs offered.

Gayle expressed,  “Extreme thanks and gratitude goes to the Kamine and Kluge families for the confidence, generosity, and foresight they had in order to reach the goal of the capital campaign and the ability to start the project early.” The grand opening of the new facility in 2001 included a 14-stall barn, an indoor ring, proper offices, an educational area, a viewing window for lessons, and a tack room.

For Gayle after four years as a volunteer and four years as Board President, “I was so impressed early on by the work that went on at the farm, I talked about it to everyone I knew. I invited friends to the facility and encouraged anyone to volunteer even if they had no horse experience. I assured them there would always be something they could help with and feel like they were a part of something special. Bill Kluge made the comment I could never forget, “No one donates money to a cause, they donate because the person that asks has a passion for it.”

Gayle concluded by saying “Many friendships have been borne out of my time volunteering. It is still an amazing program today, that has expanded in many directions and that services an even larger community than the early days.”

Thank you, Gayle, for taking that leap to Board President!

The Mane Stream Effect – 25 years and counting for Melanie Dominko-Richards

50 People for 50 Years: Melanie Dominko-Richards, MS, CCC-SLP, HPCS, Director of Therapy Services

As a bright six-year-old, Melanie knew exactly what she wanted to do and where she wanted to be - with horses as often as possible. Melanie’s life long journey at Mane Stream began as a camper in 1996. “My parents sent their horse obsessed daughter to Camp Cold Brook [Mane Stream Summer Camp], which turned into me volunteering 6 days a week, to then working in the barn and taking care of the horses, and eventually being hired as a camp counselor.” Mel’s enthusiasm and dedication resulted in her receiving the President’s Award for Volunteer Service from the Bush Administration in 2004. This prestigious award required the recipient to fulfill over 100 hours of volunteering in a 12-month period. Mel was also the recipient of the Distinguished Student of Hunterdon County Award in 2005. Those early years at SHHRC planted the seeds for Mel to pursue a career working with those with special needs.

“I grew up alongside people who were different from me and it was one of the best life experiences I could have had. I learned at a young age to appreciate people's differences with the commonality that we all loved horses. At that time, I didn't come to SHHRC with a desire to help people, I came as a horse-obsessed girl. What I received and what I was given is a love for all people” states Mel. She continues, “learning about different disabilities and learning how to meet someone where they are has been invaluable. It has shaped me into the clinician and person that I am today.” 

“I was side-walking the client when he said “trot” by himself for the first time!” Melanie sidewalking with Angela Rodriequez, SLP

PHOTO – Melanie remembers, “There was a speech-language client that I worked with, I cannot remember his name, but he was the first client I worked with who had Angelman's Syndrome. At the time, the early 2000s, therapy looked very different, and this client was working on saying "trot!" When he would say it, the volunteers would have Sweetie, the pony, trot. I was sidewalking the client when he said “trot” by himself for the first time! It was so AWESOME! However, working with Angela, SLP, Gina Taylor, OT, Illaria Borghese, OT, and Chris, PT really opened my eyes to the world of therapy. I always knew that I wanted to incorporate horses into my treatment, it was just a matter of choosing a therapy discipline. When people ask me why I chose speech-language, my answer is always- I wasn't tall enough to be PT, at the time I didn't know what an OT did, and I really liked to read and talk, so speech and language, it was!” In 2011, Mel received a BS in Education from Seton Hall University and continued there to earn an M.S. in Speech and Language Pathology in 2013.

Mel proudly shows off the painting of Sweetie that she did from the photograph when she was in 3rd grade.

In 2011, Mel became the assistant counselor at Mane Stream’s summer camp, Camp Cold Brook after a call from Gina looking for someone to “work for the summer.” Reflecting on her days at camp, Mel reminisces, “I would spend the whole summer at Mane Stream, and would never get tired of it. After long days of camp, I remember a bunch of us would sit in the conference room and play a horse-themed card game before lessons started. I made so many great friends over the years (some that I am still in contact with!) The feeling of being a family and seeing each other week after week, and every year was such a treasure. Western Day was one of my favorite themed days; I loved bringing the Western saddles down from the loft and learning how to cinch up the horse. There were many times when I would be the "cow" that needed to be roped. It was truly a unique experience to go from being a camper to a volunteer at camp, to a counselor, and now I am also the Camp Health Director.”

By 2012, Mel moved into the on‐site apartment at Mane Stream and helped to take care of the herd. “To call the place that always felt like home, my actual home, was pretty exciting.” She continued, “I also thoroughly enjoyed the sunrises and sunsets at Mane Stream; walking the dogs in the morning was glorious, and spending the nights hearing the quiet munching of the horses was an absolutely perfect end to the day.” In 2013, Mel went through the process to become a PATH Intl. Registered Instructor, followed by the PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and Mentor trainings in 2015. Not one to ever stop learning, Mel also became a board certified hippotherapy clinical specialist in 2017 and an Eagala certified professional in 2018.

After being involved with the organization for over twenty-five years, Mel reflects, “I feel as though I would not have become the person who I am today without the experiences that Mane Stream has given me over the years. The unbridled possibilities that Mane Stream offers, the clients who have given me a passion to help those with disabilities, and to realize how much can be accomplished when caring, empathetic, and passionate people work together to create something great. There are not many people who can say that they have done a career with a single organization at just over 30 years old. From beginning as a summer-camper, to spending time and learning from Kathy Brennan-Hart (SHHRC"s program director), to eating dinner at Gayle Conover's house on Welsh Road, to trail riding with the Saturday afternoon advanced riders, to having my first saddle gifted to me by Karen Bocksel and Gayle, to being in the volunteer video that people are still watching to this day, to being part of the opening of this facility in 2001.”

Melanie concludes, “I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful organization! As the Director of Therapy Services, I have done it all during my time at SHHRC/Mane Stream. Growing up in a constantly evolving industry and being a part of one of the organizations that started it all, knowing that I have been a part of Octavia Brown's dream is just so unbelievably special and something that I don't take for granted. I am so excited to have this journey continue as I begin my term as the President of the Board of Directors for the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. I would be remiss to not acknowledge and thank all the people that I have met over the years who have helped me get to where I am today and continue to support me all the years later!”

Congratulations on your NEW endeavor as AHA Inc. Board President!

MEL IN HER ELEMENT - On YouTube

Baking with Mel and Mel OR Twist and Ernest OR Parts of the Horse OR Communication Styles - Presentation

Pitching In & Making a Difference

50 People for 50 Years: Jeanne Rogalin, Volunteer & Board Member

Jeanne Rogalin began volunteering with Mane Stream in 2014. Volunteering with Mane Stream has been so personally rewarding that Jeanne decided to join Mane Stream’s Board of Directors! The horses, clients, staff, and instructors have always made Jeanne feel helpful, appreciated, and grateful for so many things in life.

Some of Jeanne’s favorite memories are helping with the Annual Horse Shows. She remembers, “Each year my husband and I set up a photo booth and take pictures of the riders on their horses with their ribbons, and print out a 4 x 6 photo while they’re waiting. The smiles and expressions on their faces when they see themselves in the picture is priceless. We look forward to doing this every year.” But the photo booth isn’t just for the Horse Show, Jeanne and Roger have also set it up at the Holiday Open House so they could capture all the shenanigans that happen when you mix humans and horses hopped up on lots of sugar and holiday spirit. That’s what Mane Stream fun is all about.

Have we mentioned Jeanne’s love of the Fjords?! She’s been known to take photoshoots with them for her business cards for her company Midtown Direct Properties, which services Summit and surrounding areas.

We would be remiss if we didn’t also mention that Jeanne is an integral part of our fundraising events. In addition to becoming a sponsor for all of our events, she also spends many hours canvassing for prime silent auction items. And though she is extremely busy with her real estate business, she still finds time to volunteer for our adaptive riding program. When her schedule doesn’t allow her time to sign up for a weekly spot, she will often answer the plea and fill a sub spot because she knows skilled leaders are always in short supply.

And let us not forget Jeanne’s persistent support of Shoes for Shoes which raises funds to cover our farrier bills. Her promotional videos on social media help widen her circle of shoe donors resulting in what seems like monthly deliveries of bags of shoes that people have dropped off on her porch. Without her persistence Mane Stream would never reach our 2,500 pairs of shoes goal!

When asked about her vision for Mane Stream in the future, Jeanne responded “I hope to someday have plenty of indoor ring space as well as turnout to accommodate more horses and expanded programs.” Jeanne continues to volunteer in other capacities including sitting on numerous event committees.

Thank you, Jeanne for EVERYTHING you do in support of the Mane Stream mission!

Always Part of the Family

50 People for 50 Years: Penelope Ayers

Penelope Ayers has been riding horses for close to six decades. She has been involved with the local equestrian community for nearly as long and has served on many other nonprofit boards as well. Lucky for Mane Stream, she found her way to us through her close friends and long-time Mane Stream Board member, Carmen Paterniti, and his wife Nan about 20 years ago. Carmen was one of the driving forces behind locating our current property and raising the funds necessary to build our farm and facilities.

In 2001, Penelope joined the Mane Stream Board and co-chaired our Equus Gala that same year. In addition, she was a donor to our capital campaign in 2000, creating the Odyssey Garden in front of our building. Penelope has always felt very connected to Mane Stream’s mission and worked hard to create memorable fundraisers during her three-year Board tenure. Working with Marianne Saladino on the 30th Anniversary Gala, which was hosted at Beval’s Saddlery as a shopping /cocktail party, Penelope remembers, “It was a very fun event but much smaller than this year’s 50th celebration will be.” Now one of Mane Stream’s Board of Directors Emeriti, Marianne Saladino recalls as well, “I chaired Equus X with Penelope Ayers at Bevel’s! Crazy that it was a tack shop. Of course, it was the most famous of all saddleries so that made it super special.”

About ten years after leaving the Board, Penelope donated her horse, Navajo, to the adaptive riding program. According to Penelope, “He was a darling horse and lived and worked at Mane Stream for several good years. When it was time for Navajo to retire, Mane Stream found him a wonderful home!” We totally agree with Penelope, Navajo was a sweetie and was loved by volunteers and riders alike! Mane Stream relies on generous community members who donate their beloved horses and ponies for our programs once they are ready for their next career. Without these donations, Mane Stream could not provide the vital services that the participants have come to rely on for the past 50 years.

Penelope went on to say, “I am so impressed with the care and love the organization gives to their horses and of course, with the amazing role these animals have in helping people with special needs.” 

Once again Penelope is back at Mane Stream as a committee member for our Equus Gala to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. “I am proud to be a small part of raising funds and awareness for the future of this great program.”

Thank you, Penelope, for always being a part of the Mane Stream family!

Welcome NEW Volunteers

We are excited to welcome 13 NEW VOLUNTEERS this past May!

Each person has completed an online orientation and a hands-on training session. In addition, almost everyone has already started volunteering weekly or filled in as a substitute. THANK YOU!

NEW VOLUNTEERS
Michelle Annese, Lisa Brown, Lilly Dowe, Ava Ikbal, Susan Mallows, Dana Maurer, Tessa Maurer, Matthew McCann, Renee McCann, Julia Nemec, Chip Quayle, Karen Ruffner, and Amelia Vazquez.

Thank you Sponsors!

13 Generous sponsors invested in the Mane Stream mission and the Boots on Bourbon Street event making it a success.

THE BIG EASY - $3,500
American Humane
The Greifeld Family
Kathy & Hal Kamine
Jeanne Rogalin - Midtown Direct Properties - Keller Williams Premier Properties
Sawyer Smith Residential
Red Tail Farm

FRENCH QUARTER - $1,500
Maureen & Steve Bezer
Karen & Steve Kaufhold
Pine Woods Farm
Betsy & Kevin Sullivan

 BAYOU - $500
Gia-Raquel Esposito: TURPIN Realtors
Kate & Rick Henry
Jennifer & Stephen Smith

Gifts of Gratitude on Display

Lining the Entrance to the Boots on Bourbon Street event on May 21st.

Thank you to everyone who gave a GIFT OF GRATITUDE in honor of their favorite board member, volunteer, participant, or horse. Your kind words set the mood for guests at Boots on Bourbon Street.

If you would like to participate, there’s still time! You can give a GIFT OF GRATITUDE with a special note to your favorite board member, volunteer, participant, or horse. Notes (15 words or less) will be displayed at "EQUUS & the Horse Show" and listed in eCurrent newsletter. Purchase your Gift of Gratitude under the "Purchase Tickets" button on the EQUUS WEBSITE.

Thank you to our amazing staff for all you do for Mane Stream's clients, community and horses! - Jeanne Rogalin

Gratitude: For great volunteers, special therapists and instructors, and sweet horses. - H4H 2.0 Ladies

Eternally grateful for all that is ManeStream! Life changing! - H4H 2.0 Ladies

*the encouragement of Mane Stream staff, *the tireless volunteers, *the heart filling friendships - H4H 2.0 Ladies

So Grateful: the Mane Stream program assists one " To Be" Healthy - Mind, Body & Spirit - H4H 2.0 Ladies

Our family appreciates Mane Stream for therapeutic riding. Our son, Peter, LOVES the horses! Staff & volunteers are wonderful at Mane Stream. - Marianne Shandor

Thank you, Kathy Dermody, for being so great!!!! - Katie Higgins

Elliott loves riding with you all! - Elliott Bentley

MANY THANKS to Everyone for all of your support for Mane Stream. - Karen Kaufhold

THANK YOU to the Staff, Volunteers, and Board of Directors for all of your DEDICATION! - Karen Kaufhold

Great job Tina & Grace! - Robert Moore

A Sultry Evening in N’awlins

Our first spring fundraiser in 3 years was a sizzler!

On May 21st, over 175 guests gathered under one HUGE tent at Red Tail Farm for Boots on Bourbon Street. The sultry weather added to the N’awlins atmosphere that included a mix of Cajun food favorites, lots of hot pink and neon green Mardi Gras-inspired décor and several games of chance.  Throughout it all, the Crocodiles were the real theme of the event. Thank you, Kate Magnier for creating that handsome Bourbon Street Crocodile!

Guests enjoyed an evening full of yummy food, fun, and games, while raising much needed funds for our important Mane Stream mission. Our therapy demo with client Tess on Minnie, our beloved Fjord, focused on making the connection between OT, PT, and SLP sessions that incorporate hippotherapy, and tasks of daily living. These include the skill set necessary to self-dress or communicate with friends. In order to best serve our participants for another 50 years, we established the BEST FOOT FORWARD Fund to help with routine maintenance and unexpected expenses around the farm. The #1 NEED is new footing for the indoor arena! New low-dust, fluffy footing not only saves the lungs but also wear and tear on the joints of horses, volunteers, and therapists alike. If you are interested in donating to the fund there is still time. DONATE TODAY. No gift is too small to make a big impact and help Mane Stream put its BEST FOOT FORWARD.

Don, our line dance teacher, got people out on the dance floor for a few of the latest dances – Thanks, Don! Some might have been a little more challenging than the crowd was prepared for, everyone had a lot of laughs. Participants, volunteers, therapists, and instructors enjoyed this special time together and even boogied on the dance floor. At 10pm the 50/50 raffle winner was announced and though Dawn G. was not present she was extremely excited to find out that she had just won over $1,000.

The cold cookie ice cream sandwiches were definitely a hit as the sweetly delicious but hot Bananas Foster was only enjoyed by those not deterred by the heat of the evening. Later in the evening, we lit the fire pits everyone had fun roasting s’mores next to the giant Jenga and multiple corn hole games.

Thank you to everyone that came to Boots on Bourbon Street to support Mane Stream’s mission, especially the team of Mane Stream volunteers who worked all night selling raffle tickets, running the games, taking pictures, and a myriad of other tasks throughout the night. Thank you: Joyce Andreski, Tina Corcoran, Debi Delorenzo, Nancy Grossweiler, Laura Edelson, Grace Harvey, Cate Hegeman, Nancy Karowski, Elaine Milano, Dan O’Donnell, Kerry Scholz, and Mary Ellen Yen.

What will next year’s theme be?
You’ll just have to wait and see!

THANK YOU SPONSORS

THE BIG EASY
American Humane, The Greifeld Family, Kathy & Hal Kamine,
Jeanne Rogalin - Midtown Direct Properties - Keller Williams Premier Properties,
Sawyer Smith Residential, Red Tail Farm

FRENCH QUARTER
Maureen & Steve Bezer, Karen & Steve Kaufhold, Pine Woods Farm, Betsy & Kevin Sullivan

 BAYOU
Gia-Raquel Esposito: TURPIN Realtors, Kate & Rick Henry, Jennifer & Stephen Smith

GOODS AND SERVICES DONORS

 Little Bros Beverage Outlet, Melick's Town Farm, Red Tail Farm, Stop & Shop of Flemington,
Tito's Handmade Vodka, and Wegmans.

EVENT COMMITTEE

Joyce Andreski, Tina Corcoran, Tom Dermody, Laura Edelson, Nancy Grossweiler,
Grace Harvey, Justin Hendrickson, Karen Kaufhold, Jesse and Kara McMahon, Sandra Phillips, Kerry Scholz, Jennifer Smith, Stacy Timko, Tony Tambasco, Sally Walker, Mary Ellen Yen

Welcome Bubbles!

The Super Pony... Bubbles joined the Mane Stream herd in the spring of 2022. After years of showing in the hunter/jumper ring with Redfield, Bubbles transitioned to our Adaptive Riding program without a hitch. Due to his symmetrical movement and size, we are excited to use Bubbles in our therapy program. Riders and clients alike love both his name and his personality. Thank you to Redfield for donating this versatile pony!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see more shots of this cutie in the future!