Learning to be Focused, Calm & Respectful

50 People for 50 Years: Emiley (Ross) Popp, Volunteer & Camp Counselor

Emiley was 16 and on the way to visit her aunt in Long Valley, when she spotted the “Volunteers Needed Sign” at Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center (now Mane Stream). Looking for volunteer hours to put on her college application, volunteering at Summer Camp sounded like the perfect opportunity for her. Emiley shared, “Volunteering at camp taught me to be responsible, focused, calm, and respectful, and how to work with all different types of people. It was an eye opener, and I loved it!”

Emiley remembers Mane Stream as being a big family where everyone knew everyone. She volunteered on the weekends and during camp, with the same group of people each week. “It was a close-knit family and I fell right into it.” The people she remembers working with the most were instructors, Lisa and Kathy and of course former volunteer coordinator Carol, and Kate, the barn manager at the time, was like a big sister. Emiley remembers looking up to a few of the volunteers like Megan Porzio. Emiley reveals that she had “found her people.” Emiley favorite day as a camp volunteer was trail ride day. “As a volunteer, trail ride day could be rough, but it was really great for the kids. The organization [Mane Stream] does amazing work and I was excited to see the campers grow week by week and year by year; it was cool to see it from the sidelines.”

Emiley confessed that the first year was a real challenge; however, as the years went on, she adjusted to the ebb and flow of the camp’s daily routine. “Coming back to camp each year felt like a family reunion. I loved seeing the inclusivity of the summer camp program and how all of the volunteers were there for the same purpose regardless of age, which ranged from 16 to 65.” She fondly remembered returning campers would run over and give her a hug.

While at Mane Stream, Emiley learned to interpret and understand the abilities within her group, a skill she uses to this day. Emiley felt that the benefit of an inclusive camp like Mane Stream’s was the opportunity to work with all different types of people. In her daily life, Emiley did not have the opportunity to meet people with different abilities. Her experiences at camp taught Emiley how to interact with a variety of people and encouraged her to become confident in many ways.

After volunteering for a few years at camp, Emiley joined camp as a staff member and she loved the challenge of creating arts and crafts projects that could be completed by a wide variety of abilities. Her favorite project was a horse show wind chime! Emiley was able to carry over a lot of her camp experiences into her time as a student teacher. The knowledge she gained from working with Mane Stream’s participants impacted her ability to adapt classroom projects to the different needs of her students. Although Emiley left teaching, she used the skills she acquired at Mane Stream to help in her job as an EMT.

In addition to volunteering and part of the camp staff, Emiley was also a barn assistant. A favorite memory was working in the barn on the holidays. “My mom and sister would come and keep me company, when no one else was around, it was magical.” Emiley continues to follow the progress of the organization on social media. She likes seeing how Mane Stream still has a family atmosphere for participants and volunteers. She also stated “You can’t beat hippotherapy (as a treatment tool). Animals seem to bring out the best in people. My days at the farm were very rewarding.”

Thank you for your years of service and for sharing your story Emiley!



Camp fun leads to a dissertation on diversity, inclusion...

…and acceptance in libraries.

50 People for 50 Years: Megan (Porzio) Smith, Volunteer, Camp Counselor, and barn assistant

Megan joined the Mane Stream family, a little reluctantly, in 2000 as a volunteer, when she was in high school. Her good friend was already volunteering here and convinced Megan to join her. During her time as a volunteer, Megan formed many lasting friendships and she still gets dinner with some of these friends today. Time spent at Mane Stream broadened her worldview and understanding of those who experienced the world differently from her. She knows that her volunteer time has made her a more empathetic person. It also carried through to her professional career and is currently the inspiration for her graduate dissertation on diversity, inclusion, and acceptance in libraries. Megan works to make her library welcome to all people.

Megan remembers Mane Stream as a welcoming place. She recalls meeting Melanie Dominko-Richards, who “was so motivated with such a wide variety of knowledge. At such a young age she was a voice of experience and proof that age wasn’t what mattered and people took many paths to arrive at Mane Stream.” Megan’s impression of the organization hasn’t changed much, but she states, “It has been great to see the organization grow!” Adding the therapy clinic is a great example of how the organization evolves to meet the needs of our participants. At its core, Mane Stream continues to serve a population that is underserved. It's why the organization has endured and succeeded for 50 years!

Megan fondly remembers our horses from her seven years here.  Sparkler, Woody, Gracie, Annie, Axel, Daisy, and Jigsaw were some of her favorites. She enjoyed Sparkler the most since they both had a mischievous streak. Nothing seemed to slow him down (not even his blind eye!) As for people, she remembers volunteers Mel, Emiley, Carrie, Carolyn, Robyn, Rich S. Scott K., and an adaptive rider named Kirk.

Megan volunteered with Camp Cold Brook [Mane Stream Summer Camp] for many years and was a barn assistant too. Her favorite camp activity was painting the camp banner with the campers and being able to have them see something tangible that they contributed to. She also enjoyed “chalking” the horses (decorating the horses with sidewalk chalk). The most challenging part of her time at Mane Stream was waking up early to do the barn or do events! “I am a night owl! However, nothing was better than being at the barn alone on the weekends. There was something very calming about mucking stalls and being with the horses when no one else was here.”

Megan’s favorite memory of her time at Mane Stream was the time that she spent with campers. Our summer camp is inclusive and she liked that it fostered an environment where everyone, regardless of ability, could learn from one another. Megan said, “There are not a lot of opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in what some would consider “normal” activities. At Mane Stream, participants can engage in the same activities as their peers.” You cannot measure the qualitative or quantitative impact that the programs have, Megan feels that it is a ripple effect. Megan stated that even though she hasn’t visited the farm in years, the impact of her time here continues to be part of her life today. She continues to feel connected to Mane Stream’s programs after all these years and loves to promote our programs to those who could benefit…just like she did all those years ago!

Thank you Megan for continuing to be a champion of Mane Stream’s program!

50th Anniversary Update

From the Executive Director, Trish Hegeman

It’s been a great first 6 months celebrating Mane Stream’s 50th Anniversary! I have had a lot of fun learning about our early years and the people from our past who have been instrumental in building Mane Stream into what we are today. I encourage you to read all of our 50 People for 50 Years articles and celebrate their roles in Mane Stream’s history.

We kicked off our anniversary year with a great party and fundraiser, Boots on Bourbon Street. Over 200 people gathered for a fun night with a Mane Stream therapy program demonstration featuring Minnie the Fjord and client Stella, great New Orleans inspired food, line dancing, a silent auction, and a paddle raise for the establishment of our Best Foot Forward Fund to help with routine maintenance and unexpected expenses around the farm.

Our programs are thriving this year! There were 69 riders in our spring adaptive riding session, the most we have ever had in a single session. Therapy services is also having a great year with many new clients in addition to some who are returning for the first time since the start of the pandemic. And our field trip program exploded this year with double the number of visits from Girl Scout troops and school groups. This is quite a change from 1972 when we had only 4 riders a week.

This fall we will have two more celebrations - the Equus - Gratitude Gala on October 1 and the Annual Horse Show on October 23. The gala will be at the United States Equestrian Team and will be an evening of memories, great food, dancing, live and silent auctions, and catching up with friends and neighbors. The Annual Horse Show is my favorite day of the year. Seeing the adaptive riders show off the skills they have been working on during their weekly lessons, the pride they have in their accomplishments, and the smiles on their faces when they receive their ribbons are the true highlights of the day. I hope that you can join me at the show this year.

I always consider it an honor to be Mane Stream’s Executive Director, and being in that role during our 50th Anniversary is definitely a highlight! It has been fun talking to former volunteers and staff members about different times in Mane Stream’s history. Especially interesting has been learning about the search for our current property and our transition from an almost all volunteer organization into a professionally staffed nonprofit.

I hope that you can join us at one of our events to help us celebrate all that we have accomplished over the past five decades and we are excited about starting the next chapter in our story.

It's National Farrier's Week!

50 People for 50 Years: Scott Previte

Thirty-nine years ago, Scott Previte began his career as an apprentice farrier. In those early days, one of the barns he visited was Octavia Brown’s farm on Larger Cross Road. He had never heard of adaptive (therapeutic) riding but was impressed with the mission and program. This inspired him, even more, to keep the horses’ hooves in tip-top shape.

And, while still in school, Scott was driving a Krauszer’s milk truck and would occasionally stop by Octavia’s barn to help as needed. 

Fast forward twenty years, Sarah Dunn, a previous barn manager at Mane Stream, called Scott to shoe a horse at our current barn on Old Turnpike Rd in Oldwick. When he saw it was the same program, with the same mission, of helping children and adults with special needs, Scott was delighted. Shortly thereafter, Jen Dermody, the equine manager asked him to come back to Mane Stream, and soon became the official farrier.

 Thank you, Scott, for so many years of service! 

These days Scott and assistant, Annie, continue to ensure top care to the herd.

Summer Fun Update

Summer Camp - Week 1 & Week 2

For 10 weeks during the summer, the farm is filled with giggles, glitter, giddy-ups and, during Week 2 of summer camp, add a ton of tiaras. You won’t even hear a single groan when it’s time to muck the stalls. Camp at Mane Stream isn’t just about learning to ride; campers learn to take care of our horses which means a lot of chores! From scrubbing water buckets to making grain and more, campers learn that taking care of their horse is a labor of love.

But never fear, there is still plenty of time for FUN. Lots of FUN! Each and every day the campers participate in an activity or game and spend a little time doing arts & crafts. Every day of the week also has a different theme such as Western Day, Neon Day, Carnival Day, and yes, GLITTER DAY. Frankly though, we all know that Miss Kelly has her glitter and stamps with her at all times. So, be prepared if you enter the camp domain.

The week ends with the Horse Show. Proud parents line the fence to watch and cheer as their children demonstrate the skills they have learned, improved upon and/or mastered. And at the end of it all, ribbons and certificates are handed out for a job well done!

What do the next 8 weeks have in store? You’ll just have to wait and see.

Week 1 Gallery

 

Week 2 Gallery

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