Grace Therapeutic Riding

20/07/2024

✨Volunteer Spotlight✨

Mariah Boender. Mariah heard about Grace TR through her mom after she came to our open house. Mariah finds it very rewarding to help the participants and loves being around the horses. Her favorite thing about volunteering at Grace TR is seeing the participants light up when they interact with the horses, and the bond they get with the horses. 🐴 💗

Mariah would highly recommend volunteering at Grace TR as it is so much fun! One of her most meaningful times at Grace TR was during a session and a new participant did not want to get on the horse, but once they did, Mariah could physically see them relax and really enjoy their experience.

In her free time Mariah enjoys baking, going on walks, and spending time with family and friends.

Fun facts about Mariah
Favorite ice cream.: PB cup mixer
Favorite vacation destination: Virgin Islands 🌴
Favorite sports team: Not really into sports
Favorite book: The Hunger Games series
Favorite movie or TV show: Pride and Prejudice
Favorite Bible verse: Matthew 6:19-34

15/07/2024

Get to know the herd 🐴 Peanut 🐴

Peanut joined the herd in 2020. He is a 13 year old Pony Of America (POA) with A LOT of personality. In our experience, he especially captures the hearts of many teenage girls (and Barb) that come to help work horses 😉. He's also Jim's favorite (shhhh...don't tell the rest of the herd). Peanut works in hippotherapy and therapeutic horsemanship sessions. In his prior life he was a lesson and showhorse. We have learned so much from Peanut to grow our horsemanship and have seen him grow in his role at Grace TR. He is very expressive and really communicates what is going on with the humans around him. Peanut looooves getting his chest scratched but not his withers. Phil thinks they are besties but really Peanut is a good friend to all his herdmates. Peanut is very social and doesn’t like to be alone. Peppermints make Peanut sneeze. We are blessed to have Peanut in the herd. Share your favorite pictures and Peanut stories. We would love to hear from you!

13/07/2024

✨Volunteer Spotlight ✨Kathy Heinen

In retirement, Kathy researched volunteer opportunities from the City of Pella website and heard about Grace TR via a blog about us. Driving by Grace Therapeutic piqued her curiosity while admiring the horses and the facility. "As a result of the blog description and my desire to be a part of what Grace TR offered I happily applied to volunteer. And so it began." 🐴

Kathy is motivated by the opportunity to be a part of equine assisted services and see the participant's benefits to experience improvement in their life, unique for each individual. She enjoys learning from other volunteers how to best use the equipment and to care for the horses. Her favorite things about volunteering at Grace TR are knowing that what we do makes a difference, learning from experts on horse management and interaction with the participants and other volunteers. Kathy's advice to anyone interested in volunteering at Grace TR would be "try it, or at least learn more about volunteering at Grace! I suspect you will find blessings through your efforts."

One of Kathy's most meaningful moment as a volunteer at Grace TR was with a participant who always makes a beeline to hug his horse when he arrives, which is special in itself. Recently, he saw some activity in the arena and his attention was removed from his horse for the first time ever in her experience. She was so blessed the he grabbed her hand and brought her to the viewing window to share what captured his attention. Such a simple thing, but he reached out and shared in his special way!!🥰🫶

Kathy enjoys cycling in her free time. 🚴‍♀️ Last year she bike packed the C&O and GAP which she started in Washington, DC and ended in Pittsburg, PA. This year's adventure is Tour de Nebraska and hopefully other adventures. Kathy also enjoys going to see her grandkids and family as well as anything outside like gardening and yard work.

Fun facts about Kathy:
Favorite ice cream? Jersey freeze, Van and BonBon
Favorite vacation destination? Grand Cayman, Florida Keys, Colorado, and New Zealand
Favorite sports team? Whatever team Caitlyn Clark is playing for
Favorite Bible verse? Ephesians 2 8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this in not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast."

11/07/2024

Ellie brings style and fun to every session! We have loved seeing her growth in confidence as she leads her horse, grooming skills and sensory tolerance (dirt, hair, sand), and horsemanship skills including long lining and free lunging. The Grace TR family is blessed to spend time with Ellie!

10/07/2024

Good news! You can buy our merch at Thistles Flower Market in Pella! We have it available for sale at Vermeer Ranch too but everything at the Ranch is by appointment only so we are grateful for the retail option and support from Thistles. We would love to see you reppin’ Grace TR and appreciate the support. 💗🐴 Thank you!

08/07/2024

Chief would like you to know the herd has the week off. Time for some R & R. His focus for the week will be eating, sleeping, and keeping everyone in order.

15/06/2024

“To look into the eye of a horse is to see a reflection of yourself that you might've forgotten”— Gillian Mears

31/05/2024

✨Volunteer Spotlight ✨ Barb Braafhart

Barb watched the progress of Grace Therapeutic Riding being built across the road and is friends with Bob and Lois Vermeer. Due to these connections, she was right away interested in volunteering. Barb has a love of horses and enjoys watching them in the pasture. Plus Barb is a great second set of eyes for the barn. After retirement she was wanting something that she could help others. Her favorite part of being at Grace TR is watching the participants and their reactions to the horses.

When asked what she would say to someone interested in volunteering at Grace she said “it is a very rewarding opportunity to help others with various needs.” A most meaningful time for her was when a participant walked in the door full of energy and excitement. After the participant was on the horse, he almost instantly was calm and rode the horse just as still as can be. A huge change in his behavior after he was mounted on the horse. He loved the horse.

In Barb's free time she enjoys playing pickle ball, playing bridge, volunteering as an ER nurse, and spending time with her grand kids.

Some fun facts about Barb. Her favorite ice cream is chocolate. She enjoys any vacation destination that includes the ocean. The 49er's are her favorite sports team. Her favorite games to play are cards, bridge, and sequence. Favorite TV show is Chicago Med and her favorite Bible verse is Psalms 23. Thanks Barb for all you do!

22/05/2024

Grace over the years. God has grown Grace TR over the past five years. We started with 2 horses from the Bob and Lois Vermeer herd, 8 participants a week, 1 equine assisted service ~ hippotherapy with Ashley Beekman as the OTA (through Kinetic Edge collaboration) and Allison Van Wyngarden as the Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and located at Windy Acres with amazing care of our horses by Julie Ridley.

Today we are at a facility graciously developed by Bob and Lois Vermeer, and 9 horses from their herd are in the programs we offer. Neisha Horn joined the Grace TR team as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor in 2022. Barb Gosselink went from being our very first volunteer to the Volunteer Coordinator on the Grace TR team. Allison and Ashley continue in their roles, and Kinetic Edge has included Regan Cooper and Kylie Walz as backup therapists for hippo. The continuity and services have grown - now offering therapeutic horsemanship, hippotherapy, equine assisted learning, and equine assisted psychotherapy.

We celebrated with a Volunteer Coffee time and the miniature horses have been on tour around town. We are blessed to have volunteers and participants who have been with us for ALL FIVE YEARS. Ashley Newman - thank you for your beautiful photos!

Share your photos and stories over the years too!!! We would love to see and hear them. Grateful God lets us be part of this journey, for key people who have believed in us along the way, and for our amazing equine partners.

18/05/2024

Saturday spotlight 💥 volunteer Deb Bandstra 💥

Deb was looking for a volunteer opportunity after decreasing her work hours. Knowing Deb’s love of animals and kids, her daughter connected her with Grace Therapeutic Riding. Deb inquired and found it to be a good fit. Deb has been volunteering with Grace Therapeutic Riding for 5 years this May. She is the other Grandma duo alongside Carol Verhey. 💗 The duo’s “Grandma” roles come in handy and can be very convincing when participants are nervous or not so sure about an activity. The participants, horses, and the volunteers are what motivates her to volunteer at Grace TR. Watching the participants progress in their therapy and working with the horses are her favorite things about Grace TR. If someone asked Deb about volunteering at Grace TR, she would say “Go for it!” A really meaningful moment as a volunteer was when a nonverbal participant started talking and eventually in sessions asked her a question.

In Deb’s free time she enjoys her flower garden 💐 , sewing and cooking. If anyone knows Deb you know she is an amazing cook and baker. We enjoy it when she brings treats to the barn!

Even though the Bandstras make amazing homemade ice cream, 🍦 when asked what her favorite ice cream was she said “ I don’t like ice cream” Her favorite sports team is whichever team her Grandkids are participating in. She loves watching her Grandkids play their sports.

17/05/2024

In every interaction with horses, we learn a little bit about 𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔, too.

What can your horse teach you? Here are 𝟏𝟎 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 we can learn from horses --> https://bit.ly/4bU6jyf

04/05/2024

✨Saturday spotlight✨ Duane Anderson

Duane is one of our volunteers from the beginning. Five years ago he was volunteering at mainly music and Allison shared that she was beginning the process to become a certified therapeutic riding instructor. After hearing about her new adventure, he offered to help in any way possible. Volunteering at Grace TR gives him a wonderful opportunity to work with Christian professionals in a collaborative effort to provide physical, mental, emotional, and occupational treatments to participants across a wide range of ages and abilities. The face-to-face interaction with participants, caregivers, therapists, other volunteers and the animals allow him to not only observe but also to share in the myriad of challenges and victories experienced by everyone involved at Grace TR 🐴🙌.

Duane's recommendation to anyone interested in volunteering at Grace TR is to come and see what it is like. "Observe a therapy session, attend a volunteer training session, and volunteer. Try it ~ You'll like it!" One of his most meaningful moments of volunteering at Grace TR has been seeing the return and rebuilding of trust from a participant and her mother following a signficiant set back with her horse in a session. Everyone involved was genuinely gracious, compassionate, and patient as we worked together to re-establish positive results and relationships. Now she rides with a new level of confidence! 💪

Duane enjoys golfing 🏌️, coaching, travel, Bible study, and sharing life with his children and grandchildren. Some fun facts about Duane:
~ His favorite ice cream is peppermint
~ His favorite vacation destination is Hilton Head, SC
~ His favorite sports team is 1974-76 Indiana Hoosiers Men's Basketball Teams (60-1)
~ His favorite board game is Master Clue
~ His favorite book is The Bible (NCIS the original)
~ His favorite John 3: 16-17 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through Him."

24/04/2024

The best of the best! So blessed.

20/04/2024

✨Saturday spotlight ✨Carol Verhey
Carol heard about Grace TR through her neice. She has been with Grace TR as a volunteer since we started 5 years ago. As a chid she grew up with horses 🐴 and loved them. Observing the positive changes in participants and the loving community 🥰 of Grace TR is what feeds her soul in being a volunteer. When asked what she would say to someone who interested in volunteering at Grace TR, she said "Do it! You will never regret spending the time with the participants and the volunteers."

Her most meaningful time when volunteering was when they were trying to convince a participant to ride side saddle like a princess 👑. The volunteers told the participant that if she did, they would bow to the princess. The participant did it and then promptly said "Bow!" 👸 From the beginning Carol has been part of a Grandma side walking duo that has incredible skills of persuasion and love. 💗

Carol enjoys sewing, reading, and gardening in her free time.
Some fun facts about Carol:
~ Her favorite ice cream is chocolate
~ Her favorite vacation destination is Hawaii
~ Her favorite game is "Poopie Head" cards
~ Her favorite book is Redeeming Love
~ Her favorite tv show is Blue Bloods
~ Her favorite verse is "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

11/04/2024

Sunshine ☀️ and smiles 🥰

07/04/2024

✨SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT✨

Julie Ridley is one of our volunteers who has been with us from the beginning. Grace Therapeutic began at Julie’s barn, Windy Acres. The horses were boarded there and we ran our sessions in their indoor arena. Julie began volunteering behind the scenes by caring for the horses daily. She then was able to help with volunteering as a side walker and horse leader. She is motivated to volunteer at Grace by the combination of supporting the participants and the use of horses to do so. Her favorite thing about volunteering is the participants, the volunteers, and the horses. Her recommendation to anyone who might be interested in volunteering would be “schedule a time to check it out! It is one of the most rewarding experiences to watch people grow and gain confidence in themselves and to watch them make connections with the horses.” Julie enjoys spending time with her family, riding horses, fitness, and reading. And of course volunteering! One of her most meaningful moments as a volunteer was seeing a huge, genuine smile from a participant who was having difficulty becoming engaged.

✨ABOUT JULIE ✨
Favorite ice cream flavor: cookies and cream
Favorite vacation: South Dakota
Favorite sports team: Iowa Hawkeye women’s basketball
Favorite board game: Scrabble
Favorite author: Estelle Ryan
Favorite movie/TV show: Sweet Home Alabama
Favorite Bible verse: Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

31/03/2024

Alleluia! He is Risen! Grateful for the incredible gift of grace and redemption. I am grateful for the many ways we experience God through His creation.
When I read of the white horse in Revelation, visions of Russell running through the pasture often strike me. Blessings to you all!

28/03/2024

So grateful for our collaboration with Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy and we are so blessed to work with Ashley Beekman! She picked a great picture pal. 🥰

Ashley B // My charity of choice would be the Pella Food Shelf!

27/03/2024

Swipe to learn more about why we implement long-lining here at Grace ➡️

25/03/2024

Signs of growth… last week the fencing crew came and split the front pasture. We are also adding another stall. Before you get too excited…there are no immediate plans to increase the herd but these signs of growth help with pasture rotation, increased options for sessions and training, and yes…options for herd growth if needed. I was struck last week how growth may come all of a sudden and it’s messy like that big pile of dirt or disruptive but that’s all part of the journey. When it happens, embrace it!

25/03/2024

Here’s the lady who’s up’ed our social media game this semester! Our Central intern Kaitlyn is focusing on using social media in kinesiology. She’s keepin it reel with awesome content and creativity. Thanks Kaitlyn for all the ways you bless the Grace team, participants & volunteers! 🥰🐴🙌. .berntsen5

01/03/2024

In Hippotherapy, we utilize different positions to incorporate different things into our sessions.

Swipe to learn more about WHY we choose these positions!

18/02/2024

A wonderful weekend of learning and meeting more therapeutic horsemanship professionals at HETRA for our PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Region 7 Conference 🐴. We enjoyed time as a team growing our knowledge and exploring new ideas. We believe in always learning and growing. I was excited to meet my mentor in person and support the Not Just a Pony Ride podcast. Thank you HETRA!!!

16/02/2024

Here at Grace, we provide Hippotherapy services!

Swipe to learn more!

12/02/2024

We know someone that is happy with the Super Bowl outcome! ❤️🐴💛

20/01/2024

In case you are curious how horses are able to be out in the winter time, here you go. Some of the horses (and maybe myself included) have taken on the wild horse strategy of carrying some extra weight heading into winter. 🧥 ❄️. They are amazing creatures!

19/01/2024

We have a few who act like this in our barn. Any guesses on who?

19/01/2024

We’ve had more snow but are so grateful for the sessions, people and horses who warmed our hearts this week! ❄️❤️🐴

16/01/2024

Phil & Rocky made the Wall Street Journal 🐴🥰

The Iowa Caucus kicks off the 2024 presidential election season with Republican voters deciding which candidate will represent the party in the general election — former President Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis or Vivek Ramaswamy.

10/01/2024

Snow days! ❄️