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Use these links to learn more about Pegasus Riding Academy:
President's Message and Executive Director's Report
Organization Background
2009 Corporate Officers and Board of Directors
Key Professional Staff
Disabilities Currently Being Served at Pegasus
Cooperating Efforts with other Health Agencies
The following message is from our 2008 Annual Report.
2008 was another successful year for Pegasus, as we experienced continued growth in our program. This past spring, our autism pilot program was recognized during Autism Awareness Month where it was featured on NBC Philadelphia News’ Game Changers segment, and later as part of a feature on the NBC National News. Our Executive Director, Barbara Wertheimer, has made incredible progress in increasing the funding we receive through our grant program. This increased funding has allowed us to increase the number of instructors to improve the quality of our classes as well as make several improvements to our facilities. We are also able to increase the number of scholarships provided to our riders, as many have been affected during this period of economic difficulty.
Despite the concerns all of us are experiencing around the economy, the mission of Pegasus will continue in 2009, as the needs of our riders do not change with the economic cycle. We will continue to look for ways to increase the number and diversity of people that can benefit from equine assisted therapy. The development of our strategic plan, which began in 2008, will continue to move forward. We have engaged professional facilitators to expand the insights we will gain from our clients, the community and other stakeholders. By the end of this year, we expect to have developed a three year plan that will be a critical step in ensuring the long term health and growth of Pegasus. I look forward to sharing the results of this process in the coming year.
Jonathan Smith
President
Executive Director's Report
Every year presents a specific set of challenges for any organization. During the past year Pegasus has felt the impact of the economic crisis that is gripping our country in many ways. Like many other nonprofits, we are facing decreased support from foundations due to their losses. We are also dealing with the increased costs from suppliers for hay and other horse related necessities. However, the most critical effect has been the unemployment and financial difficulties that too many of our Pegasus families are facing.
We recognize the need to provide assistance to the families of the children and adults with disabilities that participate in our program and have accordingly sought funding for increased scholarship support. We are pleased to report that we have received funding for our scholarship program and for the first time ever have a fluid fund from which we can award scholarships at any point throughout the year.
One of our most important goals is to enable all of our riders to continue to participate in our program, no matter how many other challenges are thrown their way. In times of financial upheaval, Pegasus needs to remain a point of constancy for our riders and an outlet in their otherwise stressful times.
Barbara M. Wertheimer
Executive Director
In 1982, when Pegasus Riding Academy, Inc. first started treating clients, we served only fifteen mildly disabled children a week. The program was limited by the weather since all of the lessons were conducted in an outdoor riding arena at the Solly Avenue Stables located in Northeast Philadelphia.
In 1989, Pegasus Riding Academy, Inc. moved to its current location at 8297 Bustleton Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. We operate on Fairmount Park Property and have a long term lease to utilize the public trust lands and benefit people with disabilities. The indoor riding arena and barn to house the horses was completed at the end of 1993. Funding was in place before any new construction was planned and over the next several years the complex was finished. This state of the art facility allows us to provide year-round equine facilitated therapy, which enhances the lives of numerous individuals with disabilities throughout the Delaware Valley. Pegasus is a member of Pennsylvania Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship, an organization which seeks to ensure the quality of therapeutic riding programs throughout the State of Pennsylvania. The Pegasus program, which currently serves approximately 80-100 participants each week, draws its client base from residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Since Pegasus is the only therapeutic riding program located within Philadelphia, it enables us to serve an inner city population. We serve both children and adults. Our riders represent over one hundred different disabilities and we receive referrals from more than forty area health agencies, rehabilitation centers, hospitals and schools for children with disabilities.
One of riding therapy’s unique components is the movement of the horse. This movement has proven extremely effective in establishing or re-establishing balance, coordination, and perception, when compared with static therapy treatments. The movement of the horse mimics the human gait by being rhythmic, repeatable and three-dimensional; all movements needed to simulate normal walking patterns. It so closely resembles our human gait that it helps physically challenged children discover the rhythm needed to initiate their own independent steps. Being astride a horse not only helps establish walking, it can also improve the quality of walking. Where walking is not a realistic goal, the horse’s steady movement stimulates the brain and central nervous system as well as the hips and legs, preventing atrophy of walking muscles. Clients take an active role in their own therapy, often reaching goals more quickly because of their increased motivation and commitment. Additionally, with more children being diagnosed with autism every day, equine assisted activities and therapies have come to the forefront as a progressive treatment. Many in the medical community believe there is a special connection between horses and children with Autism because both interpret the world in pictures. The things that horses observe are the same things that children see and react to, making them more in sync with each other. As this bond grows, progress such as eye contact, facial recognition, and interaction become possible with many riders.
The benefits of riding are not exclusively physical, nor are they limited to clients with physical disabilities. Riding therapy has been found to be dramatically effective with mentally and emotionally challenged individuals by improving their socialization, personal development and self-esteem. Such improvements often grow out of building trust with the instructor and the clients’ relationships with their horses. Bonding with a horse enables people to communicate easily with the staff as well as others in his or her life. Participation in routine grooming and tacking of the horse, as well as competing in events such as the HRE of the Devon Horse Show, gives our riders the opportunity to develop self-discipline and a sense of accomplishment.
2009 Corporate Officers and Board of Directors
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION
| President | Jonathan Smith | 8 Canal Run West Washington Crossing, PA 18977 Director, Strategic Marketin J & J Pharmaceutical Group |
| Vice-President | Harvey Perelman | 3983 Warfield Dr. Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 Real Estate Appraiser Perelman Associates |
| Secretary | Ann Marie Milligan | 64 Lawrence Avenue Holland, PA 18966 Food Services Supervisor Richboro Elementary School |
| Treasurer | Gerald Magid | 1236 Meinel Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 |
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
| Harvey Perelman | 3983 Warfield Dr. Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 Real Estate Appraiser Perelman Associates |
| Jonathan Smith | 8 Canal Run West Washington Crossing, PA 18977 Director, Strategic Marketing J & J Pharmaceutical Group |
| Ann Marie Milligan | 64 Lawrence Avenue Holland, PA 18966 Food Services Supervisor Richboro Elementary School |
| Barry Bessler | Chief of Staff, Fairmount Park 1515 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 |
| David Hirsh, Esq. | 1235 Meinel Rd. Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 Vice-President Richard’s Packaging Company |
| Alicia Felton Neff | 619 Revere Rd. Merion, PA 19066 Art Director |
| E. Harris Baum, Esq. | Zarwin, Baum, DeVito, Kaplan, Shaier & Toddy, P.C. 1515 Market Street, Suite 1200 Philadelphia, PA 19102 |
| Alan Kurtz | 808 Pine St. Philadelphia, PA 19107 Captain, Retired Philadelphia Police Department |
| Robert Hesser | 1463 Woodview Road |
| Ilene Perelman | 3983 Warfield Drive |
| John Cinque | 5801 Keystone Street |
| Gerald Magid | 1236 Meinel Road |
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
| Larry Alten | 114 Beth Drive Philadelphia, PA 19115 Creative Art Director |
| June Feith | 204 Marvin Road Elkins Park, PA 19027 Volunteer Services |
| Jerome L. Glickman AAI | KEH Insurance Agency, Inc. Penthouse 606 1415 Rt. 70 East Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 |
| Michael Harff | 895 Phillips Rd. Warminster, PA 18974 Director of Taxation MAC Capital Partners |
| Michael H. Monheit, Esq. | 1368 Barrowdale Rd. Rydal, PA 19046 CEO, Parallel Consulting, Inc. |
| Marcy Monheit | 1368 Barrowdale Rd Rydal, PA 19046 President Discount Decorator |
| Nancy Pokorny, RN, BS | 1113 Borbeck St. Philadelphia, PA 19111 Nurse Recruiter Albert Einstein Med. Center |
| David Reick | 1312 Quinet Road Brigantine, NJ 08203 Retired Printer |
| John Wertheimer, M.D. | 1074 Pheasant Road Rydal, PA 19046 PA Heart & Vascular Group Jenkintown, PA 19046 |
Barbara Wertheimer, Executive Director
Pegasus5@comcast.net
Barbara Wertheimer received her JD from New England School of Law in 1976. Since 1991, when her daughter, Julie, began to ride at Pegasus, Barbara has been an active volunteer. She initially served on the Advisory Board, was the organization’s Legal Counsel and volunteered with classes two days a week. In 1997 she became President of the Board of Directors and has continued in that position through 2007. In that role she assisted the program’s founder and former Executive Director with grant writing, fund raising, special projects, and public appearances for presentations about the program. When the founder and former Executive Director of the program, Carol Tatum, passed away in November, 2005, Barbara assumed the duties of Interim Executive Director on a volunteer basis until April, 2007, when she became the Executive Director.
Ami Ledesma, Program Director
PegasusAmi@comcast.net
Ami Ledesma is a full time instructor with the program and is responsible for all of the therapeutic aspects of the program as well as serving as volunteer coordinator. She received her certification from the Therapeutic Riding Instructor Program at Thorncroft. She has also been a volunteer at Pegasus since 2003 and has passed Level I for the NAHRA instructor certification. Ami is a 1990 graduate from the Art Institute of Philadelphia with a degree in marketing and advertising. After fifteen years in the corporate and nonprofit workplace, Ami made the decision to explore a more meaningful career and became involved with therapeutic riding on a full time basis. The skills and warm personality she brings to Pegasus have proven to be invaluable.
Sarah Del Ricci, Equine Director
Pegasusbarn@comcast.net
Sarah Del Ricci is in charge of maintaining the health and well being of the horses. This includes everything from daily feeding to the supervision of barn management. She is responsible for training the horses used during therapy, the acquisition of new horses and transport of our horses to horse shows. Sarah’s equine experience is diverse. She has ridden competitively since the age of three and has worked as barn management in other stables. She also has extensive experience in day care and pre-school environments and working with children with special needs. Her work as a veterinary assistant for the past seven years has given her a wealth of knowledge in the animal health field.
Trudy Hunt, Assistant Program Director
Trudy Hunt is our newest staff addition and will be working as an assistant instructor with the Autism Program as well as our regular lessons. She is a doctoral student in psychology at LaSalle University and brings with her a lifetime of horse experience including competition, dressage, and drill team participation. During her college years she also instructed riders on a beginner level. Trudy’s love of horses and study of autism bring much appreciated talent to Pegasus.
Aviva Hirsh, Assistant Instructor
Aviva Hirsh has been around horses her entire life and is an accomplished horsewoman. She serves as an assistant instructor and has become well respected for her ability to relate to the clients and horses.
Lynn Alexander, Assistant Instructor
Lynn Alexander came to Pegasus as a volunteer in March 2006 with no horse experience, but with a willingness to help. She quickly picked up the necessary horse skills and, with her experience of volunteering at area children's hospitals, has become an asset. She found her passion for horses and continued her interest in working with children. She was hired as an assistant instructor in March 2008 and continues to learn and develop her riding and teaching skills.
Brianna McMahon, Assistant Instructor
Brianna McMahon has been a dedicated volunteer for almost 6 years and has recently become an assistant instructor. Her love of horses drew her to Pegasus, but the connection she has made with the clients and staff has kept her here. Currently, Briana is a Pre-Med student at the University of Delaware and hopes to become a doctor for children with special needs.
Richard Magnuson, R.N., Recreational Therapist
Rich joins the Pegasus staff after a long relationship with our program as the R.N. & Recreational Therapist for the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Philadelphia, PA. He has served in this position since 1994 and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our program. Rich provides the necessary skills to evaluate and write a plan of therapy for all riding participants.
Rochelle Fieldcamp Esq., Legal Counsel
Rochelle Fieldcamp, Esq. serves as counsel to Pegasus. Rochelle has been a practicing attorney since 1976 and is principal shareholder in Rochelle B. Fieldcamp, P.C. She is a graduate of Temple University School of Law and was the recipient of a M.A. degree in Anthropology from Temple in 1972. Ms. Fieldcamp’s teenage daughter, Charlotte, has been riding at Pegasus since she was 18 months old.
DISABILITIES CURRENTLY BEING SERVED AT PEGASUS
Physical
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Mental
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Genetic Syndromes
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Behavioral / Emotional Disorders
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Mixed Physical / Mental
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COOPERATING EFFORTS WITH OTHER HEALTH AGENCIES
Pegasus is the only provider of equine assisted activities and therapy in the City of Philadelphia. We have associations with other health service programs and our referrals grow each year. If you wish further information regarding our affiliations, please contact the office at 215-742-1500.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Since our scholarship program was initiated, Pegasus is proud to have awarded many scholarships for therapeutic riding to clients with different disabilities. The number of clients in need grows continually. These clients with financial need generally come from the following categories:
- Disabled children from low or fixed income families;
- Disabled children from single-parent families;
- Disabled children or adults with major traumas such as burns, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, or cancer. Disabilities such as these usually exhaust the patients’ medical coverage before the client reaches the rehabilitation stage;
- Families with more than one disabled family member. These could be a result of genetic diseases common to siblings or disabled parents with disabled children;
- Disabled adults on fixed incomes.
We are always seeking funds for our scholarship program. Contact Pegasus if you would like to assist us in funding a scholarship for a client in need of financial support.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
As part of our public education services, Pegasus continues to open its facility so that the general public may see this unique therapy program. These services, initiated in 1989, host groups from schools, day care centers, scout troops, youth organizations, adult day care centers, pre-school classes, informal groups and families from the community. Visits and field trips include a tour of Pegasus’ facility, an introduction to our horses, which includes equine education. Adult and professional presentations focus on therapeutic riding and its medical and psychological benefits. The presentations that are given to children and youth focus on developing sensitivity to and awareness of individuals who have a disability. Presentations are conducted by Pegasus staff and are provided free of charge. Any group interested in a visit should call the Pegasus office.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
In 2000, Pegasus became involved with a court appointed community service program. We are now associated with Youth Aid Panels in Philadelphia and Montgomery County and continue our involvement with court appointed community service programs on local and county levels.
Required service hours from schools have become very important to the success of this program because without volunteers this organization could not operate. We accept volunteers who are 14 years old and older. Each person is interviewed and supervised on site. Every volunteer must complete volunteer registration and waiver forms. Each has the opportunity to learn and work “hands on” with the horses which includes grooming and tacking the horses for each session. Volunteers are trained in all aspects of this program. They learn skills including leading the horses, grooming and caring for the horses and learning to side assist with our clients during therapy. We consider this volunteer program to be a great success. Ami Ledesma, Program Director, also serves as the Volunteer Coordinator. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should call her office at 215-742-1501. Without the many youths and adults who give their time, it would be extremely difficult to operate this unique program. We are very thankful to those who have graciously given their time and talents to benefit our clients.
