A Found Passion for What Horses Can Offer in a Therapy Session

Let’s get to know our new Speech-language Pathologist – PAULINE Lopez, MS, CCC-SLP

What I like most about treating at Mane Stream is the support and mentorship I receive from both my human and equine coworkers. Mane Stream creates a supportive and collaborative environment, where therapists work closely with horses and volunteers to provide effective therapy to our clients. The opportunity to work alongside these amazing animals in a therapeutic setting is truly rewarding!

Certified member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association
I am proud to be a certified member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). This certification demonstrates my commitment to upholding the highest standards of practice in the field of speech-language pathology.

Education
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at East Stroudsburg University. This program provided me with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of speech-language pathology. I then went on to obtain my Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Saint Mary’s College. This comprehensive graduate program equipped me with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to excel in my field.

Clinical experiences
I have gained clinical experience working in a multidisciplinary team-based approach. This approach allows for comprehensive evaluations and treatment of a wide range of diagnoses. I have worked with individuals of all ages, addressing various communication disorders such as child language disorders, speech sound disorders, voice and fluency disorders, feeding and swallowing disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication.

Specialized interest in Aural Rehabilitation
One of my specialized interests lies in Aural Rehabilitation. I have had the privilege of working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and this experience has given me valuable insights into the unique challenges and needs of this population. I am dedicated to providing comprehensive and effective support to individuals seeking to improve their communication abilities through various aural rehabilitation techniques and strategies.

Professional proficiency in American Sign Language
In addition to my specialized interest in Aural Rehabilitation, I am also professionally proficient in American Sign Language (ASL). This skill allows me to effectively communicate and connect with Deaf individuals, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in our sessions. ASL serves as a vital tool in facilitating effective therapy and building strong relationships with my clients.

Previous horse experience and hippotherapy training
Prior to learning about Hippotherapy, I did not have much experience with horses. However, I have always had a love for these majestic animals. My introduction to incorporating horses in therapy came when I volunteered at a therapeutic farm as a side walker. That experience sparked my interest in Hippotherapy and led me to the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA, Inc.). After completing Hippotherapy Treatment Principles – Part 1 I was fortunate to start my time this spring at Mane Stream observing with Mane Stream’s Melanie Dominko-Richards MS, CCC-SLP, HPCS.  Working at Mane Stream, allows me to combine my newly found passion for what horses can offer with my expertise in speech-language pathology. Next month I look forward to completing the Hippotherapy Treatment Principles – Part 2 along with two other Mane Stream therapists!

Treating at Mane Stream
What I like most about treating at Mane Stream is the support and mentorship I receive from both my human and equine coworkers. Mane Stream creates a supportive and collaborative environment, where therapists work closely with horses and volunteers to provide effective therapy to our clients. The opportunity to work alongside these amazing animals in a therapeutic setting is truly rewarding!

Free time activities
In my free time, I enjoy reading and playing tennis, which keeps me active and helps me maintain a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, traveling with my friends and family allows me to explore new places, create lasting memories, and recharge for my work.

Thank You Camp Volunteers!

Pizza, Cupcakes, and Glittery Gifts

It was amazing to have such dedicated, fun, caring, and truly one-of-a-kind volunteers this summer! The enthusiasm and level of delight that was brought each and every day to our campers was remarkable. This summer 40 volunteers and 2 interns transformed the lives of 58 kids and 6 adults. Because of you, all campers walked away with the best experience that they possibly could have gotten and the credit goes to you! What happened at the appreciation party? See below!

Counseling Services Offered

VERY LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE on Thursdays, late afternoons with our mental health provider, Lori Rockmore Psy. D. Lori specializes in evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment. All work is done on the ground with no mounted activities. Counseling services are for those who want to learn about themselves and others through experiential activities with the horses to process feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.

TELL US YOU'RE INTERESTED

Seeking Participants for Horses for Healing

Please SHARE the news...SIGN-UPS NOW OPEN!

The Fall Sessions of Horses for Healing (H4H) for those impacted by Cancer and Parkinson's Disease starts Monday, September 25th. Both programs are on Mondays: H4H Cancer will be 11am-12pm and H4H PD from 1-2pm. Each group will ride for 6 concurrent Mondays through October 30th.

Recent Survey Results Show…

Improved strength, Increased self confidence, Better balance, Lower stress and anxiety!

“I participated in Mane Stream's 6-week Parkinson's riding program and I cannot thank you enough! Managing Parkinson's on a daily basis is tremendously challenging both emotionally and physically. When we are diagnosed, we are told to 'live life' as fully as possible for as long as we are able. Your program is the kind of gem that I have been seeking. The respectfully supportive environment created by Kelly and the volunteers was perfectly challenging, uplifting and immensely joyful! I am very excited to continue riding in the Fall. It's truly the highlight of my year.” - Wendy

“H4H (PD) provides a beneficial bond with these beautiful horses. Kelly’s coaching taught me so much and I could feel myself getting stronger and more confident every week. Participating has already been beyond my expectations. My favorite aspects of the program were meeting other people with PD, riding lessons, interacting with fantastic volunteers, AND Kelly’s training. All of these are very important to me.” - Ruth

Start the process NOW by completing the paperwork.

For more information contact: 
H4H Cancer: Kelly Champion, Kelly@manestreamnj.org
H4H Parkinson’s: Trish Hegeman, Trish@manestreamnj.org

Oh Snap, We Love Ponies!

Welcome Snappy!

Our participants for our therapy program come in all ages, and for some of our youngest clients, we needed another pony. Our newest and smallest member of the herd is Land’s End Snapdragon, or Snappy. We’ve recently accepted this little guy for his calm demeanor and small size, which has made him an exceptional addition to our therapy program and adaptive riding as well. Snappy sure is a cutie and will happily snuggle anyone that comes his way. After an impressive show career, he will now be starting his life and therapy career here at Mane Stream.

Thank you to Bethie, Libby, and Red Oak Farm for donating Snappy to us!

Welcome to the Herd!

Not Your Average Joe (Joe)

Our horses and ponies are no strangers to color and glitter here at Mane Stream, but usually they don't experience that until a field trip or camp. Our newest addition, Not Your Average Joe or "Joe", was Mane Stream ready as he arrived on his first day here covered in glitter and paint. The day he was picked up by Jen and Alex, his kids asked to have 5 more minutes with him to get him decorated for his arrival. We said, "Yes," and watched as a group of kids huddled around him to paint his hooves and to color his mane and tail with chalk. Jen and Alex looked at each other and smiled, knowing that Joe would be a great fit for the program. He was then ready to be on his way to his new life and job.

Since Joe has been at Mane Stream, his calm demeanor and stellar attitude make him a perfect candidate for our therapy program. He happily plays along with all the fun activities that our therapy clients get to participate in. The job doesn't stop there for Joe, though. That pony can really strut his stuff in the ring, and it really shows during Adaptive Riding and camp. His beautiful trot provides a very comfortable gait for our riders. Not to mention that with that beautiful pinto coloring, he's as cute as a button. 

We are so happy to accept Joe into our program and kindly thank The Iglesias Family for the donation.

Volunteer Workdays Save Us $$$!

Mane Stream has always cherished the value of teamwork and collaboration. As Helen Keller once said, "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." This sentiment truly embodies the spirit of our Mane Stream. We rely on the selflessness and dedication of volunteers to fulfill our mission.

This spring we were fortunate to host 3 work groups. The volunteers helped with lots of jobs around the farm including scrubbing stalls and water buckets, weeding flower beds, cleaning tack, sorting shoes, painting our therapy clinic, and a multitude of other tasks! Employees from Teva Pharmaceuticals, Deloitte and students from Ridge High School, brought their enthusiasm and muscles to tackle all of the chores on our TO DO list that keep our barn and facility running smoothly and looking great! Each group of 15 to 20 people and spent 3-4 hours working at the farm. The day finished up with groups enjoying their packed lunches.

At Mane Stream, we are continuously grateful for all the hours of time donated from corporate and student workgroups as well as our weekly program volunteers. Recent statistics show that the estimated national value of a volunteer is $31.80 per hour. When you do the calculations it shows that the work groups saved us approximately $7,000 worth of work this spring alone! This highlights how crucial volunteer services are to keeping operating costs down for nonprofit organizations like Mane Stream. This allows us to put more resources towards providing our diverse programs of equine assisted activities, therapy services and educational initiatives. We can’t THANK YOU enough!!!

If you know of a corporation or group that might be interested in coming by to assist with one day or short-term projects, you can schedule your workday today by reaching out to our volunteer coordinator Emily De Jong via email at volunteer@manestreamnj.org

Donate Your Old Jewelry

Help the Matheny Educational and Medical Center Thrift Shop with Your Jewelry Donation

Are you tired of your jewelry box overflowing with pieces you no longer wear? Well, now is the perfect time to do some decluttering and make a positive impact. The Matheny Educational and Medical Center’s thrift shop is in desperate need of jewelry donations to support their mission.

Chances are, buried beneath all those forgotten accessories, there are pieces you don't wear anymore. Those earrings you bought on a whim, that necklace that has lost its luster, or that bracelet that simply doesn't fit your style anymore – all can find a new purpose by being donated to the Matheny Educational and Medical Center's thrift shop.

And guess what? Mane Stream is here to make your donation process quick and easy! Simply drop off your jewelry donations at our location, and we'll ensure they reach the Matheny Educational and Medical Center's thrift shop, where they will be appreciated and put to good use.

Who is The Matheny Educational and Medical Center? They are a special hospital and school for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities and a comprehensive outpatient center. Their thrift shop plays a vital role in generating funds to support these programs, making your jewelry donation even more valuable.

Remembering Dave McShane

We are saddened by the news of the passing of Trustee Emeritus Dave McShane. “Dave's presence at board meetings was always enjoyable. He was incredibly intelligent and had a kind heart to match.” Cynthia Barkman, current Board member shared.

After serving for 7 years, Dave stepped back from the board, but remained a steadfast supporter of Mane Stream’s programs and our Equus gala. Board Member, Kathryn Coyne, who knew Dave from their time in Bay Head, remembers him as a regular at the Bluffs who always brought a smile to her face. This speaks to the kind and friendly nature Dave possessed, leaving a lasting impact on those around him.

Karen Mitka-Kaufhold, another current board member, reflects on her fond memories of Dave. She describes him as a sweet, kind, and wonderful man, with whom she enjoyed conversations before meetings. Karen acknowledges the special place Dave holds in Mane Stream's history and speaks of his generous and compassionate nature. His absence will undoubtedly be deeply felt by all who knew him.

Dave McShane will be greatly missed, and his legacy of kindness and support will continue to inspire us.

Dave McShane’s obituary: https://www.phillyburbs.com/obituaries/psom0510235