About Mounted Eagles

LOVE and MIRACLES

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I would first like to thank you for allowing Jennifer and me the opportunity to tell you about our experience with Mounted Eagles.

Over the past 25 years, that we have been involved with Mounted Eagles, I have witnessed nothing short of miracles. I have personally seen riders that couldn’t ride independently, that do ride independently now. Riders that were wheelchair bound that are walking. A rider removing his gloves to touch the horse and let the horse feed from his hand when previously this wasn’t possible. I recently witnessed a rider that could not sit up straight on the horse that now sits up straight.

I have seen many smiles and high 5’s, and watched self-esteem soar. This has been paramount in Jennifer’s life. Jenny has expressed to me many times about how much she has learned from all of the different horses she has been blessed to ride and instructors and “helpers” she has worked with over the years. Her physical strength has increased and this allows for easier ambulation, especially after her lessons. She is able to sit straight on her horse and keep her hands and legs still. She has gained control over her horse allowing her to ride independently. Her neurologist has noticed increased muscle strength also. The best thing about her lessons is the ever present smile that NEVER leaves her face. She is grateful to be able to ride and looks forward to each lesson.

At the annual horseshows I have shed many tears witnessing the excitement and improvement of the different riders, including Jenny.

I could write a book about how I feel about Mounted Eagles. But let me sum it up in two words that Jennifer and I agree 100% on; “LOVE and MIRACLES”.

Marci Good – Crosby, MN

Joy Beyond Measure

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My son Jude, is a rider with the Mounted Eagles program in Brainerd, Mn. Jude is 15 years old, and suffers from the neurological disorder Tourette’s syndrome, and many debilitating comorbid’s including Severe Anxiety, OCD, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder and Depression. Jude struggles every single day with painful tics, crippling OCD, and continuous Anxiety. BUT…. being with the horses has been an absolute Godsend for him. The affect the horses have on him is profound. It is literally the only time in his daily life that he is almost completely tic free! Riding has increased Jude’s focus, confidence, and courage. He has a connection with his horse that is unique and special. He always looks forward to his scheduled times when he gets to ride and spend time amongst the horses. I am so grateful for this program. I feel like it has given my son a sense of “normalcy” back to his life, and joy that is beyond measure. Mounted Eagles truly cares for all of the riders in this program and their families. It has impacted our lives in all the best ways possible.

Jennifer Karas, parent

What I Like About ME

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To help others get into Mounted Eagles. The fun things like the equicizers. Good constant riding!

Sharon Loring, rider

Lasting Impacts

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The Mounted Eagles organization has impacted our family by providing therapy to our children. It calms them down, gives exercise and gives them an accepting and loving environment to do it in.

Our son first came to Mounted Eagles over 20 years ago. The lasting impact was that our son was able to move his body in a more appropriate manner as he grew.

Karen Lively, parent

Pride in Progress

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Being able to have an activity my special children with very little ability can be a part of and participate with.

It has helped my daughter’s core strength and walking. The pride in her progress will always remain.

Julie Langer, parent

Horses Helping Humans

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Volunteering at Mounted Eagles has given me the opportunity to participate in something I have a passion for – Horses! And has opened up my awareness of how many ways horses can impact people with special needs.

I will always appreciate how special every therapy horse is and how much they can help others.

Lise Lunde

Overall Improvement

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Our daughter, Bergen, began riding horses 6 years ago. Initially, she was quite nervous. Now she is confident in her abilities in riding a horse. Equine assisted therapies works very well with any disability. If you can work well with a horse and overcome the fear that is a good starting point.

Equine therapy has increased Bergen’s fine motor skills by using her hands and the reins to direct the horse’s actions. Riding a horse requires both coordination and balance. Because of this, Bergen has improved in both coordination and balance. Bergen’s social skills have also improved because of this her equine interaction will
continue.

Chuck & Karen Hanson, parents

Making Me A Better Dad!

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It allows me to do physical therapy on horseback and on an equicizer(a non-motorized mechanical horse) that makes it easier to go on walks around the community so I can be seen and see how the area grows by what Mounted Eagles does.

The lasting impact is that I am able to keep up with my kids because I am able to do physical therapy on my horse and the equicizer for arthritis in my knees.

Nicholas Patterson, rider

Highlight

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This is the best therapy Riley gets. They are so willing to work with us. They want to know how to work with him and that’s really important. The crew that works there are just great. We really need places like this for our children.

Watching Riley ride. It is the highlight. He loves it, it really relaxes him. This is something he can do and makes him so happy.

Janice & Darrell Vogt, grandparents

This Is Where They Need To Be….

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I remember when our first rider came to us to ride. They were challenged and had been placed the “boxes” for description of their diagnosis. As they began to learn the skills they were acquiring they became bolder and one of the rider’s brothers said to me “not only has she learned a skill we didn’t think she would acquire but when we tease her now, she fights back”. Over the years of seeing the changes in our riders and hearing the comments of the parents, professionals began to know us and have made recommendations to some of their new clients that we might just be the place they should give serious consideration to joining.

When asked about the lasting impact, a recent conversation with the mom of one of our past riders comes to mind. She was telling me about the riding accomplishments of her daughter. She has become very skilled and rides on an equestrian drill team. Her end comment was joyfully delivered “and to think she started out on Velvet!!” (Velvet is a very small, calm Shetland pony)

Susie Baillif, Certified Instructor and Founder of the program

Teaching Humility & Unconditional Love

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Mounted Eagles has made a profound impact on my life. I have become more aware of how important it is to individuals who face challenges to be treated as “normally as possible”. They want to be included in what’s going on in the world and they like to celebrate their successes just like the kids and adults who compete in regular activities. My family has adopted my passion for Mounted Eagles and its purpose as well. They have become strong supporters and spread the word about the program to their friends as well. The communities in which we live is more aware of the program and its participants. Some of the program participants have advanced in their skills and are active members of the community. They are active members of church groups and most have jobs that help sustain their livelihoods.

I will forever remember the lessons I have learned while volunteering with the riders, working with the other volunteers and fundraising for the program. These experiences have shown me that there are lots of great people in our world who are willing to help those who are less fortunate. The program participants taught me humility and unconditional love.

Aggie Stroot, Certified Instructor/Volunteer

Self-Esteem Boosted……

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My 17 year old son with autism has been riding his horse at Mounted Eagles off and on for several years and has gained strategies to focus his attention and has had his self-esteem greatly boosted when he drives his own horse now.

Cecelia Lemmer, parent

Strength for Body & Soul

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Mounted Eagles has greatly impacted our daughter by physically strengthening her body but also her self-confidence.

The quality of life is greatly impacted by riding, by all the volunteers and by all the support we receive from the community!!! Because of this riding program my daughter has a connection with the warmth and love and acceptance from her horse and the kindness from the volunteers. This is a one of a kind program!!! We are so blessed to have it in our community!!!

Jilaine Hetkitter, parent

Positive Volunteer Opportunity

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Being new to Brainerd I knew no one and had limited resources to fill my time with positive activities. Mounted Eagles has given me a better quality of life. Each person coming to ride have at the very least, an increased quality of life.

Cathy Quigley, volunteer

Feeling Accomplished

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Gives people with a variety of special needs an opportunity to participate, be challenged and also learn skills in a trained caring environment.

Friendships, skill building, respect for others and the horses. Success that you get acknowledged for and feeling accomplished.

Carole & Kelsey Walkoviak, parent and rider

Much more than riding….

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Mounted Eagles has given my daughter confidence and friendship. The volunteers are professional, caring and put the rider first. Coming to Mounted Eagles is a highlight of her week.

It’s much more that riding a horse. Mounted Eagles provides an opportunity for the community to learn the value of people with disabilities.

Becky Lindgren, parent

Physical Strengthening

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Our 33-year-old daughter Melissa has been riding with Mounted Eagles therapeutic riding for quite a number of years. She is limited physically on what she is capable of doing due to the diagnosis of Rett syndrome. We feel that the therapeutic riding has helped strengthen her torso muscles and helped with her balance and her spacial awareness. She eagerly looks forward to seeing the horses and the many volunteers that are so friendly and helpful. This is the bright spot of her week. We are so grateful to the grants from United Way that make it possible for Melissa to be able to ride at Mounted Eagles.

Julie Martin, parent

Reaching the Community

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Mounted Eagles brings families in the community together, that otherwise might never had made a connection. Many caregivers of people with disabilities, pass on the street or in the stores, humbly carrying their responsibilities and the emotional impact in silence. Caregivers, participants and volunteers find support and purpose in the Mounted Eagles community. They develop friendships, share their lives, their stories, success and burdens while in the arena. These lasting relationships reach far beyond the arena and Mounted Eagles. Lives are share, whenever, wherever and however their paths may cross. Persons with disabilities, are frequently left with little sense of self, most aspects of their being are controlled by others. Learning to ride and control a horse gives some of that back, as participants develop pride and ownership of their own successes. These success reach far into the community, as many participants become more physically and emotionally independent, resulting in less physical, emotional and financial resources being consumed by caregiving. The pride and sense of community fostered at Mounted Eagles, lives on in the participants lives long after they have left the program.

The lasting impact of a smile, the pure joy that is observable of the participants, is something that is never forgotten by anyone who has been with the Mounted Eagles program. The most challenged participants are the biggest successes, as that joy can be short lived or missing or unrecognizable in their lives.

To be able to give that joy back, is what keeps the volunteers and supporters coming back, devoting countless hours, physical and emotional toil, and many tears and smiles. They wouldn’t have it any other way.

Renee DeFresne, supporter