ANNUAL REPORT 2018 SIRE Therapeutic Horsemanship

THIS year was one of challenges and successes for SIRE. We began the year still dealing with the im-

pact from Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. The record flooding affected not only the physical landscape, requiring SIRE to repair damaged fences and sensory courses; it impacted Houston’s philanthropic landscape. Despite those challenges, due to a large donation received in the fall of 2018, SIRE ended 2018 in a stronger financial position and has even acquired Ernie, a new therapy horse, who was rescued from the flooding.

Our successes were marked most sig-nificantly by the progress made by our riders. You will read about Lauren and Gabriella, each of whom faces different challenges but whose lives have been transformed by the work of SIRE’s ded-icated staff and volunteers, and their

own perseverance.

Looking ahead, SIRE’s leadership will continue to focus on three areas of strategic importance:

• Sustainability — continuing to strengthen our financial position; searching for new donors; and evaluating, maintaining and upgrading our facilities and equipment.• Branding — spreading the word about the benefits of therapeutic horsemanship and searching for new community partners to broaden our reach and improve the lives of even more riders.• Program Excellence — maintaining our high standards and training new therapeutic riding instructors across the country and around the world.

DARREN WILLIAMS

A Letter from the Board President

As we celebrate our accomplish-ments, including our recovery from Harvey, the milestones achieved by our riders, our 35th anniversary and our reaccreditation from PATH, we look forward to new challenges and opportunities in 2019. We hope you will join us for our annual spring gala, SIRE Under the Stars; and our fall ride-a-thon, Saddle Up for SIRE.

We need your involvement as we continue to transform the lives of children and adults with disabilities. Thank you for your support, and we can’t wait to see what the next 35 years will bring for SIRE.

Darren Williams, DVMPresident, SIRE Board of Directors

Darren

FROM atop a 1,000-pound, mov-ing animal, the earth can look like a long way down. Lauren

Hall worried about that when she began therapeutic horseback riding at SIRE four years ago.

Lauren had enjoyed competing in track events at the Special Olympics before working with SIRE, but she wanted a new challenge. Lauren and her mom, Helen, both liked horse ther-apy as a different outdoor activity to bolster Lauren’s balance, coordination, muscle control and to help reduce her anxiety.

Helen has been “flabbergasted” by the impact SIRE has had on Lauren, now 28.

Lauren worked diligently and ad-vanced to leaving the side walkers, and eventually the horse leader, who now trails to the side for moral sup-port. Riding the horse through an ob-stacle course sharpened Lauren’s criti-

cal thinking, allowing her to remember instructional sequences, at first two steps at a time and then executing the entire course with great aplomb.

Although at one time Lauren often cried in fear upon meeting people, she recently suggested that her class at another nonprofit, which helps people with special needs, take a field trip to SIRE to pet the horses and see Lauren in action. She facilitated the connec-tion between the two organizations and helped coordinate the details. About 25 of Lauren’s colleagues en-joyed watching her ride, and the horse herd scored a lot of treats that day.

“Working with SIRE has turned out to be a perfect fit for Lauren in every way: physically, socially, emotionally,” Helen confirmed. “Every week there is something new she is accomplishing. She doesn’t have to worry about pains, aches and anxiety. It’s just nice for her to be in a state of enjoyment.”

RIDING SUCCESS SHARPENS LAUREN’S CRITICAL THINKING AND CREATES CONFIDENCE

OUR PARTNERS

The work of SIRE is complimented by a wide range of community partners who bring expertise and visibility to our mission. By working together our efforts are multiplied to provide maximum impact for both the riders and the community.

Avondale HouseBethesda Lutheran HomeBoy Scouts of America, local troopsCristo Rey Jesuit High SchoolDePelchin Children’s CenterDow Chemical CompanyGrace Fellowship ChurchHarris County Department of EducationInspiring HandsJunior League of HoustonLone Star College School of Nursing

Multiple Sclerosis SocietyPATH InternationalReach UnlimitedRichmond State Supported Living CenterRice UniversityTexas Department of Aging and Disabilities ServicesSam Houston State UniversitySpecial Olympics TexasHouston Warrior Project

G ABRIELLA SHARIFI hums when she is on horseback, even though she cannot speak,

laugh or smile. With side walkers supporting each leg, Gabriella holds herself up straight and sits elegantly on her therapy horse, even though to sit in a chair she relies on a support strap to keep her from falling over.

Gabriella rides at SIRE, and she is en-tering her 20th year in a program she started at age 2. When she arrived, she could not walk and could barely sit up because of mitochondrial disease and acute seizure disorder that causes her to experience about 30 seizures a day.

“We know she loves riding,” explained Nikki Henley, Gabriella’s grandmother. “We love everything at SIRE. We love the chickens, the goats, the people.”

Surrounded by caring professionals and volunteers, Gabriella quickly bonded with volunteer Joe Welsh,

who was her side walker on her first day at SIRE and has been by her side nearly every week since then. It was Joe who told Nikki he hears Gabriella humming while in the saddle.

During Gabriella’s first lesson at SIRE, instructors draped the toddler’s body on the back of her specially trained horse, so her muscles could be stim-ulated by the gait of its walk. Within a year, Gabriella was able to walk with assistance after riding.

Now 21, Gabriella rides as an experi-enced equestrian.

“The riding is absolutely wonderful. Before she rides, she cannot walk up the ramp to get to the horse, but af-terwards, she opens the gate to leave the arena and can walk to the car with assistance,” Nikki described. “SIRE does wonders for people with special needs. It’s the best thing in the world. It’s good for the soul.”

HUM IN THE SADDLE CREATES JOY IN LIFE FOR GABRIELLA

FY 2018 FINANCIALS

INCOME 2018 Special Events $240,622 Foundations & Org. $296,216 Program $369,331 Individuals $145,408 Misc. $35,570 Corporate $67,858

Total $1,155,005

EXPENSES Programs $960,068 Administrative $197,808 Development $123,772 Functional Expenses $1,281,648Loss on impairment of assets, net $127,478

Total $1,409,126

Total Net Assets were $864,162 and Program Costs were 75% of functional expenses.

Complete financial statements and the most recent income tax forms may be found on the SIRE website at sirehouston.org.

51%42%

7%

WHO WE SERVE

3 HOUSTON LOCATIONS

sirehouston.org • (281) 356-7588 • sireo�ce@sire-htec.org

donatevolunteer

53%

47%

OTHER STATS from 2017 / 2018

30,600

Darren Williams, DVMPresidentSabrina ShumskyImmediate Past-PresidentCheryl NelsonVice PresidentCharlotte McIntyreSecretaryPat RoddyTreasurer

MEMBERSFrank BrooksTerry (Weir) CodyCarol FarnsworthJulia IngramK Leonard Mary Elizabeth Wise Sand

Joe WappelhorstExecutive DirectorBeth BurrowayDirector of Development Anthony BusaccaChief Operating Officer

Shayna BoltonSite Manager – Spring Toni ConnerSite Manager – Fort BendPJ MurraySite Manager – Hockley

2017-18 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STAFF

In addition to the high-level results, 86% of our riders report that SIRE has been the best activity of all the therapies and activities they have experienced.

IMPACT OF SIRE

Benefits of Therapeutic Riding at SIRE 2017-18 with 42% of riders reporting In FY 2018, SIRE provided 8,215

service hours to 288 clients

through our weekly therapeutic

horsemanship riding program.

In addition, SIRE provided 1560

hours of professional therapeutic

horsemanship education and

training to advance the field.

Furthermore, 139 SIRE riders

participated in shows and

competitions (Top Hands, and

Special Olympics.)

$20,000 and overMr. John BeckMs. Jenifer BoothThe Cockrell FoundationLGI Homes Corporate, LLC.Otis Booth FoundationSIM-TEX, L.P.Vivian L. Smith FoundationWilliam and Marie Wise Family Foundation

$5,000 - $19,999Mr. Danny AddisAngels Among Us Foundation IMAMr. and Mrs. Frank BrooksBrooks & Sparks, Inc

Mr. and Mrs. John CodyMr. and Mrs. Jon EvansExxonMobil FoundationFort Bend Cares FoundationFort Bend Junior Service LeagueGreater Houston Community FoundationGreenergy USA INC.George and Mary Josephine Hamman FoundationMr. and Mrs. John HortonHouston Junior ForumHouston Livestock Show and RodeoGuy and Judith HunterMs. Julie KellmannKiwanis Foundation of Houston

Robert W. and Pearl Wallis Knox FoundationMs. Mary Ann MaukThe Robert & Janice McNair FoundationMemorial Drive Presbyterian ChurchBryan and Cheryl NelsonNRG Retail Charitable FoundationFred and Mabel R. Parks FoundationMr. Robert PeedMrs. Ada PerwienEarl W. and Hazel C. Pierson FoundationMs. Patricia RoddyMrs. Mary Elizabeth Wise SandSaudi Refining Inc.St Luke’s United Methodist ChurchTexas Mutual Insurance CoTomball Regional Health FoundationMr. and Mrs. David Webber

$1,000 - $4,999American Endowment FoundationMs. Barbara BaileyDr. and Mrs. Phil BermanMr. and Mrs. Martial BurguieresMr. and Mrs. Dennis CainMrs. Malori Callahan

Mr. and Mrs. Luis CardenasHalliburton Giving ChoicesMr. John CodyMr. and Mrs. Michael CurranDow Chemical CompanyEcolab FoundationEdmonds InsuranceCharles Jago Elder FoundationMs. Connie EstopinalExchange Club of Fort BendMr. and Mrs. Jim FarnsworthFearnley Offshore LLCFidelity Charitable Gift FundMs. Jill FiskMr. and Mrs. Peter FryGeico Philanthropic FoundationJo A. and Billie Jo Graves Family FoundationMartha HaasMr. and Mrs. Fred HagemeyerMr. Heath HajekMr. and Mrs. Russell HammanMr. and Mrs. Henry HammanMr. and Mrs. Kevin HendricksonMr. Ethan HendricksonHildebrand FundMr. and Mrs. Wayne HillinHIS HelpersThe Hobby Family Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Peter HoltMr. and Mrs. Chris HowardMs. Julia IngramIsaacks and Associates LTD LLPThe Jackson FoundationJunior GuildMr. Leonard Kalfayan and Ms. Mary BrezinaMr. and Mrs. Stephen KellyLansdowne-Moody Company LPMs. Jill LaughlinMr. and Mrs. Kirk LeatherwoodMr. and Mrs. Marcus LeonardMr. and Mrs. John MancusoMayde Creek Animal Health CenterMrs. Holly McDanielMs. Charlotte McIntyreClaudia Lee-MeillonMorgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust, Inc.Carol MullinsNational Charity League Inc. Cypress Creek ChapterMr. and Mrs. Justin NelsonMs. Beverly OrthweinMr. and Mrs. Don PageMr. Joseph PiercePrometheus Charitable TrustMrs. Isla RecklingMr. Todd Rimmer

Dr. Forrest RothShell Oil Company FoundationMr. and Mrs. Matthew ShumskyMr. and Mrs. John SparrowMr. and Mrs. Donald SpiessMr. and Mrs. Mark StellaThe David B. Terk FoundationTexas Children’s HospitalVolunteer Houston, Houston Special AccountMr. and Mrs. Michael WalzelMr. and Mrs. Joe WappelhorstMr. Champ WarrenThe Watson FoundationWest Belt Surveying, Inc.Van Wie Family FoundationWilliams Companies Foundation, Matching GiftsMs. Vivian WiseRepresentative John Zerwas, MD

$500 - $999ASAP Trailer Service & SupplyMr. and Mrs. Ed BartellMr. and Mrs. Edward BarthMs. MaryAnn BegbieMs. Ann BradleyMr. and Mrs. Robert BurnhamMr. and Mrs. Tim Burroway

Mr. Albert ChaoMr. James ChaoChevron Humankind Matching Gift ProgramChevron Humankind Matching GiftConoco Phillips Charitable InvestmentsCowboy Trucking, IncMs. Sarah CristMs. Cindy DaveyMr. and Mrs. Mark DepewMr. David DohertyDugas, Box & Company LLPMay Englehardt Revocable Living TrustMr. Jim FitterlingMrs. DeAnn FloydMr. and Mrs. Steve GillMs. Linda GoodsonMr. Ernie GrandinettiMr. Clayton GroomsGT Services, LLCMr. and Mrs. N. E. HerringtonMr. Matt HolmanHouston Golf AssociationMs. Malinda IngramMr. David JohnsonMr. Nicholas JohnsonKnights of Columbus, Council #8771Mr. and Mrs. Robert KruckemeyerMr. and Mrs. Dennis Lehmann

Mr. Carl MullerMs. Belinda MusgraveMs. Wendy PattersonMr. and Mrs. James PerwienMr. and Mrs. Tim PfisterPhillips66Mr. Rick PlaegerMrs. Wanda RauscherMr. and Mrs. Jim RoddyMr. and Mrs. Ed RuizMr. Ruben SalinasSchwab Charitable FundMs. Caralisa SimonMr. and Mrs. Todd SinexMr. Allen SmallMs. Sarah SmithMr. and Mrs. Marc SmithMr. Rich SteinbergMr. and Mrs. Michael StricklerMr. and Mrs. Kip ThomsonMr. James TramutoHoward I. & Elissa M. Ungerleider FundMs. Cynthia VanceMr. Marvin VolzMr. and Mrs. Mike WappelhorstMr. Wesley WardMr. Richard WhiteMr. Darren WittickYourCause

For more information on planned gifts and estate planning please contact the SIRE Development Office at 281-356-7588.

“SIRE was special while my daughter was going through her young life in the program about 25 years ago. The horses love you unconditionally and get you moving like you should. She was very frustrated and had severe challenges with speech. We found SIRE, and then she felt like she had something special nobody else did. Sarah’s experience with SIRE helped lift the burden and helped me appreciate her for who she is.”

Melissa Gates, mother of Sarah, SIRE alumna

“The little boy the doctors said would never walk now walks because of a horse. He’s like a little rock star.”

Kimberley DeFrates, mother of Aidan, SIRE rider

HOCKLEY24161 Spring DriveHockley, TX 77447(281) 356-7588

SPRING4610 SloangateSpring, TX 77373(281) 353-6160

FORT BEND2100 Preston StreetRichmond, TX 77469(281) 344-4308

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

11211 Katy Fwy, #660Houston, TX 77079(281) 356-7588

sireoffice@sire-htec.orgsirehouston.org