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| October 2009 |
Vol 1, Issue 2 |
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 Little Bit
Therapeutic Riding Center
Bits & Pieces ENews |
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| Little Bit Redmond Update |
Due to financial considerations and the start of construction in the next year, the Board of Directors has determined that it is not feasible to continue operating Little Bit Redmond as a public boarding facility. We will close Little Bit Redmond as a public boarding facility as of December 31, 2009. We will continue to have someone living onsite in order to maintain a few stalls for Little Bit horses and to prepare for our hoped for groundbreaking in the spring.
Kathy Alm, Executive Director |
| United Way - write us in! |
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Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center is not a member of United Way, meaning we don't get a piece of the "big pot" of money. You can, however, write us in when your workplace giving campaign takes place this fall. Please take the time to check the United Way documentation and write us in! Nearly $6,000 came in from workplace giving thru United Way in 2008, so you can see that every "little bit" really does count! |
| Sponsor Mahon |
 The therapy herd is busy in the midst of fall quarter, working hard with volunteers to bring smiles, first steps, and new skills to the Little Bit riders. It wouldn't be possible for the Little Bit horses to do their important jobs without their sponsors, who help cover the cost of food, shavings, and veterinary care for a year. Almost all the Little Bit horses are sponsored, but there are still a few that are looking for the support that a sponsor brings. One such horse is Mahon, a 9-yr old Haflinger gelding, and a bit of a "jack of all trades" when it comes to riding. Along with being a Hippotherapy All-Star, he also excels in helping his adaptive riders gain new riding skills. Like all the horses at Little Bit, Mahon does his part each ride to help his riders excel in social, physical, and emotional skills.
This holiday season, please consider sponsoring Mahon or another of Little Bit's hardworking horses who each change riders lives, and start your legacy of giving. Corporate and group sponsorship are welcome, as are private individuals. Please contact Aileen at 425-882-1554 or Aileen@LittleBit.org for more information. | |
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| Quick Links |
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Calendar of Events
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| Mission Statement |
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Our mission is to improve the bodies, minds and spirits of children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted therapy and to be an inspiration and educational resource to the therapeutic riding profession, both regionally and nationally. | |
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| Rider Campaign |
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Saddle up with Little Bit this quarter for the Annual Rider Campaign! The Rider Campaign helps keep Little Bit running; from paying the electric bills to buying feed for the horses, every dollar goes directly to keeping the Little Bit doors open.
- Set up your own webpage at www.firstgiving.com/LittleBitRiderCampaign to tell your friends and family YOUR story and how Little Bit has changed your life.
- The rider who raises the most money will receive a $1,000 tuition waiver (with a $3,000 minimum raised), while the runner up will receive a $500 tuition waiver (with a $1,000 minimum raised).
- You have all of Fall Quarter to raise money.
- Winners will be announced at the Holiday Party on December 6.
Have questions? Contact Aileen and she'll be happy to answer them: aileen@littlebit.org or 425-882-1554.
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| Little Bit Staff Update |
 Introducing Katherine "Kate" Taylor McKenzie, born September 29, 2009 5:06PM 6Lbs 13oz 20 inches to Little Bit Therapy Services Director Steve McKenzie and Advanced Instructor Jessica McKenzie. These days, however, Steve and Jessica prefer to use their titles of Mom and Dad.
The Development Department would like to announce Emily Roberts as the new Development Assistant. She comes to us from K&L Gates with two years of experience in law firm marketing. She also brings non-profit experience from an internship with Cascade Land Conservancy. "I've been around horses since I was a little girl (in fact, I used to train with Jenny Nell) so it was only natural for me to volunteer at Little Bit throughout high school. I helped in the office as well as with the lessons, and was awestruck by the accomplishments I witnessed on a daily basis." We are very excited to have her as part of our team. Please help us make her feel welcome if you see her around the barn.
Welcome Raeshell Sorensen as our new Head Instructor. Raeshell comes to Little Bit with several years of management experience in therapeutic riding from the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah, where she taught riding lessons and utilized her degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Rae is joined here by her husband Ben (who is a nursing student) and their two dogs, Turkish and Sydney.
Congratulations to three of our own full time staff, Kelly Chaplin and Ryanna Steele, for passing their Advanced Level and Nicola Towers for passing her Registered Level NARHA instructor certification. Little Bit hosted a Registered Level and Advanced Level NARHA instructor certification September 3rd - 7th. Little Bit continually tries to offer continuing education opportunities to staff and the community, this certification is one great example of the efforts Little Bit is putting forth to help other instructors offer better riding services.
Kelly, Ryanna and Nicola studying many months to be prepared and it paid off, they were the shining stars of the certification. Congratulate them when you see them in the barn. |
| Education Opportunity |
 Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies Overview · Do you know the difference between Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy?
· Do you know what Interactive Vaulting is?
· Do you know who can benefit from these types of activities?
· What type of horse works at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center?
· What is offered at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center?
· What are the various ways people can be involved with Little Bit?
Who should come:
- Current volunteers
- Prospective volunteers
- Parents of current participants
- PT, OT, SLP's
- Doctors
- Any one who wants to learn more about EAA/T
Please join us for an informative and interactive discussion about EAA/T to answer these questions and more!
When: Nov 7 and Dec 12 from 1-3pm
Where: Little Bit Redmond
18669 NE 106 St., Redmond, 98052
Presenter: Steve McKenzie, MSPT, HPCS
Little Bit Therapy Services Director
Cost: Suggested donation of $25 - your donation is tax deductible and will help provide financial assistance to those individuals who can not afford services
Please RSVP to Nicola Towers at 425-882-1554 or Nicola@littlebit.org. |
| Flu Season is here! |
With the Flu season here, we wanted to remind folks of techniques to avoid getting ill or spreading the flu. Please keep these suggestions in mind:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible
- information from the CDC
Considering the vulnerable population we work with on a daily basis at Little Bit, please DO NOT come if you have flu -like symptoms. We appreciate your willingness and enthusiasm to help our clients, but we need to keep them flu-free!
If you're feeling ill, please contact us or leave a message on the cancellation line by calling Little Bit at 425-882-1554.
For more information on flu prevention and treatment, visit www.flu.gov. We appreciate your cooperation and support! | |
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