H E A R T S & H O O V E S , I N C

www.heartsandhooves.com

501-834-8509

Hearts & Hooves enriches the lives of people with disabilities through

partnership with the horse.

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Impact Report | 2014

1 Hearts & Hooves Impact Report | 2014

A Year of Building

Dear Friends,

Thank you for making 2014 a remarkable year for Hearts & Hooves! Our dedicated staff has done an incredible job at expanding our outreach, while strengthening our programs and services.

A few program highlights include:

Reaccreditation through PATH, Intl as a Premeiere Therapeutic Riding Facility, the highest rating possible.

New partnership with Windrush Polo Farm to create the first ever Little Rock Polo Classic, benefiting Hearts & Hooves, raised $44,000 for the program, while engaging a new group of supporters.

117 individuals served throughout the year. Hearts & Hooves provided over 3,000 rides and horsemanship lessons to our participants.

Plan created in partnership with Hippos & Fish to increase Hearts & Hooves hippotherapy services, projecting a 32% increase in 2015.

65% of returning riders reported noted improvements in balance and following directions. 60% saw gains in confidence. Significant improvements were also seen in 28%-45% of riders in speech, sensory integration, strength and behavior management.

42 at-risk youth from Youth Home and Pinnacle Point benefited from a new program, Project Endeavor, that uses the horse-human relationship to challenge and improve life skills of the participant, under the guidance of a Recreational Therapist.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to each of you who donated even 1 dollar, volunteered for 1 hour, or told 1 person about Hearts & Hooves. You contributed to enriching the life of someone with a disability in our community through an innovative, animal-assisted program. Thank you for believing in these riders, and the successes generated at Hearts & Hooves every day.

Sincerely,

Liz Marg Stuart McGilvray

For more stories from the past year, or more about Hearts & Hooves program offerings, please visit www.heartsandhooves.com or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/heartsandhoovesar

2014-2015 Board of Directors

Stuart McGilvray, Chairperson Heritage Communications Mark McCarty, Vice Chair Chapter 13 Standing Trustee

Paula Storeygard, Secretary - Hilburn, Calhoon, Harper, Pruniski & Calhoun, Atty Mark George Heritage Asset Managers, CEO

Martha Ellen Smith Entrepreneur, Community Volunteer Nita Pilkington Centennial Bank, VP & Reg Mgr/Lender

Pam HolderJDHE, Inc., Community Volunteer

Liz Marg Executive Director

Stuart McGilvray Board Chairman

2 Hearts & Hooves Impact Report | 2014

Project Endeavor (for at-risk youth)

Students who participated in this program in 2014 respond to the question: Why do you like coming to Hearts & Hooves? Student A: Because I want to get over my fear of horses and it makes me feel positive and have fun. Student C: Because it helps me think about my past and helps me get along with some of my peers. I usually dont talk. Student G: I like coming to H&H because I love animals and animals help me stay calm.

Therapeutic Riding

Over time and particularly over the past year, our son, Eli, has taken great strides at Hearts & Hooves. During lessons, while he was on his horse and working with his instructor and sidewalker, we could see him becoming more attentive, analytic, poised, and conversational than he ordinarily was in other situations. Now, this fall, these same qualities are manifesting themselves to a surprising degree in school and other places. This doesnt seem to us to be simply a coincidence. We believe that the relationship and work with horses that the staff at Hearts & Hooves is helping Eli grow into, is translating into significant growth in other areas of his life as well, and we are deeply grateful. And he is having an equestrian blast! --Sabine and Ruskin Falls, Elis parents.

Hippotherapy

When she was first placed on the horse, Ellie laughed and smiled from ear to ear! I was filled with pride as I watched my baby girl doing something that not a lot of kids, typical or differently-abled, get a chance to do. And she was LOVING it! Looking back over a year ago to that first day compared to now, the difference in my daughter is nothing short of incredible. As a result of hippotherapy, Ellies trunk strength and core muscles have improved dramatically. A few months ago, these new additions of strength, stability & balance brought our family one of the best days of our lives. It was the day Ellie took her first steps. Its difficult to describe the JOY I felt seeing something happen that had previously only been a whisper of a hope. --Glenda Grimmet, Ellies mom

Project Equus

I am a disabled combat veteran. Since returning from overseas several years ago, I have found it increasingly difficult to find a type of therapy that helped me. Both group and one-on-one therapies with social workers and psychologists generally left me more anxious and agitated than when I arrived. The therapy offered at your facility has not only provided an outlet for my stress, but it has given me motivation to begin each new week with a positive and uplifting experience. Furthermore, I have learned much about horsemanship, which has fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine. I would very much like to continue my lessons and therapy at Hearts & Hooves, as this has been one of the best times that I can remember. --Project Equus participant

Building Success Let our riders and parents share their experiences at Hearts & Hooves this year

3 Hearts & Hooves Impact Report | 2014

Building for the Future Financial Summary: This year, with the first ever Little Rock Polo Classic event, we saw an increase in both fundraising expense and in event income. We are pleased to report that the event was a resounding success, bolstering not only our event income and corporate sponsor support, but also introduced Hearts & Hooves to a new audience of supporters. The additional income generated was a particular blessing in these tough economic times, in which individual donations have slowed compared to previous years. We receive no federal funding; grant income is typically small grants made by Arkansas organizations. We depend on a wide base of small donors as well as corporate sponsors

to offset the cost of our programming; rider fees cover only 30% of this cost. What does all this financial information mean? While demonstrating our dedication to good stewardship of funds (73% of contributions go directly to programming!), it also demonstrates that we are still largely a grass-roots organization. Our success depends on the support of individuals and local businesses. We are an organization created, supported, and run by the community we live in.

In 2014, Hearts & Hooves volunteers documented 4,841 hours for Hearts & Hooves. The estimated value of that time?

$91,640*

Want To Organize A Group Effort? Church groups and work groups are some of our biggest supporters! Contact Liz to ask about doing a Blue Jeans Day fundraiser at your office, or ask your church group or other organization if they could help by donating in-kind items like:

Paper Towels (roll or c-fold)

Toilet Paper

Hand Soap or Dish Soap

Saddle Soap

Disinfectant Spray (for helmets)

Clear plastic storage boxes

Cleaning supplies/laundry detergent

Tissues

Shovels/muck forks/brooms

See our full wish list here: H&H WISH LIST

* as determined by the Independent Sector

This Work Needs Your Help As mentioned above in the financial summary, we depend on the donations of individuals at every level to help support our riders. If youre able to contribute financially, please consider one of these options:

Fund-A-Ride at $35 online here.

Participate in Arkansas Gives on 4/2/15, and choose Hearts & Hooves as your beneficiary.

Sign up at smile.amazon.com to benefit Hearts & Hooves each time you make a purchase.

Send a check for a gift of any amount to Hearts & Hooves/2308 Kellogg Acres Rd/Sherwood, AR 72120. (Or call us at 501-834-8509).

Want to help through service? We ALWAYS need volunteers to serve in the arena, on the grounds, on special event committees. Email volunteer@heartsandhooves.com to connect with our Volunteer Coordinator.