February 2022
Reach 4A Star monthly news & updates
Upcoming Events
4/13/2022 WyoGenerosity at the Gaslight Social 5pm to 8pm. Fun Party and Live Auction!!!
We are putting together auction items and baskets of goodies with treasures, gift certificates, etc. for this fundraising auction.
If you would like to volunteer to help us put together baskets or you know a business that would like to donate gift certificates/auction items/etc., please let us know!
-------------------------------------------------
Trail Mix Run Wyoming 
Registration is open! Click Here to register now & join us on 05/21/2022 
The Trail Mix Run is a 3 or 10 mile mixed surface run with challenging hills, spring creeks, and usually MUD! This race benefits the Reach 4A Star Riding Academy, which serves residents of all ages and abilities through equine assisted activities. There is also a 3 mile wheelchair and stroller accessible route!
*NEW* Virtual option! If you want to support the Riding Academy from afar, this is the perfect option for you! The shirt order is due by April 22nd - registration must be received by then to guarantee a shirt*
-------------------------------------------------
Kids Grief Camps
Camp #1 June 20,21,22 &
Camp #2 June 27,28,29
In partnership with Central Wyoming Hospice, we will be conducting 2 Grief Camps over three days each for Kids on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the last two weeks of June. Those interested in attending should contact hospice directly via https://cwhp.org/.
Mountain Plaza Assisted Living and Memory Care Participants with Leo (Above) and Tonto/Genie (below)
We are thrilled to have a wonderful group from Mountain Plaza Assisted Living & Memory Care coming out once a month to visit with us & work with the horses! Thank you to their Activity Director, Nova Simons, for making this happen!
Expenses keeping our indoor arena heated during winter months adds up! In 2021, we used 2622 gallons of propane to heat our facility which totaled up to $5936.40 for the year. We rely on donations to be able to keep the heat on. If you'd like to make a donation to help us with operating expenses, please make a tax-deductible donation here or mail a check to us at P.O. Box 1014, Mills, WY 82644. Thank you!
Meet the Special Olympics Wyoming Equestrian Team who will going be going to compete in Florida this June.
From left, Rena Moore, Jade Bult with coach, Karol Santistevan. #ShineAsOne
Horse Wellness Committee
At Reach 4A Star we acknowledge the equines with whom we work as sentient beings and contributing partners in all of our programs. 
By giving our horses a voice and truly listening to them we achieve an increased level of engagement and performance in all areas.
To support this philosophy, we have developed a Horse Wellness Committee. This committee consists of the barn manager, a volunteer, and an instructor. The committee oversees feed management, health management, veterinary care, conditioning, and workload. The committee closely monitors each horse for signs of burnout and stress. When burnout or stress is noticed, steps are taken to provide rest and relaxation, to keep our horses in top form. Some horses prefer massage or body work while others prefer rides from our designated staff and volunteers to destress, or just some time off without human contact.
As our performance partners, physical and mental health is our ultimate goal to each horse who serves Reach 4A Star. 
by Genie Hensley COTA/L, CTRI
Genie came to Reach 4A Star the summer of 2017. She brings a lifetime of horse experience from a Wyoming ranching background. She has been an CHA level 1 certified instructor, a 4-H horse leader, and taught many private lessons on her own. She became a PATH Int’l Registered Level Instructor in 2015 and shortly after, in 2016, earned her degree and license as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Genie enjoys combining the best of both worlds to help people of all abilities overcome their personal challenges and live their lives to the fullest. Genie enjoys spending time with her family exploring the many wonders of Wyoming.
Did You Know?
Did you know the path to become a certified riding instructor with PATH (CTRI) is a 6-9 month process at least? Planning one year to complete this process is a safe bet. 

A CTRI is a voluntary, entry-level credential for individuals in the equine-assisted services (EAS) profession who provide riding instruction and therapeutic value to people with disabilities. This may include mounted or unmounted work partnering with an equine. PATH Intl. CTRIs have met established criteria and standards of practice in the field. They have demonstrated their knowledge of disabilities, equines, teaching and human-animal interactions. (PATH Intl. CTRI handbook)

This process includes
🐴 Application and payment of fees.
🐴 Evidence of Equine Handling Skills
🐴 Evidence of Equine Management Skills
🐴 Applicant Video demonstration of Riding I
🐴 Instruction and Communication of Riding Skills
🐴 Documentation of Experience Working with
🐴 Individuals with Disabilities
🐴 Documentation of Supervised Instruction of Therapeutic Riding Lessons
🐴 Proof of current CPR certification
🐴 Proof of passing score on PATH Standards exam
🐴 Signed PATH Intl. Certified Professional Code of Ethics
(From the PATH Intl. CTRI handbook)

In order to maintain the CTRI certification an instructor must complete 20 continuing education units (CEU) per year. This includes taking riding lessons, attending classes, and conferences.
ο»Ώ
by Genie Hensley COTA/L, CTRI

We will be offering a once a month new VOLUNTEER FEEDER TRAINING session beginning in March. Please share the following dates with anyone you know who might want to be trained as a volunteer feeder at Reach 4A Star.
🐎 Saturday March 5th 1-3pm
🐎 Saturday April 2nd 1-3pm
🐎 Saturday May 7th 9-11am
🐎 Saturday June 11th 1-3pm
🐎 Saturday July 9th 9-11am 

We will be offering VOLUNTEER HORSE HANDLER/SIDE WALKER TRAINING
🐎 Wednesday March 23rd 12:30-2:30 pm
🐎 Wednesday April 20th 12:30-2:30 pm

Those interested in volunteering will need to fill out our volunteer application which can be downloaded from our website via this link and emailed to office@reach4astar.org with date(s) of training you'd like to attend for scheduling. Horse experience is welcome but not required, as we will train.
2022 Session Dates
This year, to expand on our existing camps working with Hospice (Grief Camp) & Girl Scouts (Leadership Camps), we will be offering 8 specialized day-camps serving 10 individuals each on Saturdays between July 5th- September 3rd. These day camps will be focused on mental health & well-being for community members,
Health and Safety
The health and safety of everyone at Reach 4A Star is important to us! In keeping everyone safe, we ask our Therapists, Instructors Volunteers & Clients to follow Health Department guidelines if you may have been exposed to Covid or have any symptoms of any contagious illness. Some of our clients have conditions that make it impossible to keep a mask on so we ask our staff and volunteers who will be within 6 feet of others to wear a mask while they are working with clients.
Stay Safe