Jose Belaval was captain of his school’s soccer team and he wanted to be an airline pilot when he grew up. The athletic 10 year old who loved to salsa dance with his sister Mariana earned the nickname of “Dennis the Menace” among family in his native Puerto Rico because of what an energetic

and adventurous kid he was ... until the day he got shot in the head at Christmas time due to a stray bullet fired in the air in “celebration” of the holiday season. His mom Veronica Rodriguez packed up her life and family and moved to Miami after the accident to help the now confined

FROM WHEELCHAIR CONFINEMENT TO STANDING UP ON HIS OWN: THE JOSE BELAVAL GOOD HOPE STORY

Continued on next page ...

WINTER 2018

U N B R I D L E DMaking Limitless Strides Toward Healing and Hope

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Jose Belaval (cont) .................... 2From the Director’s Saddle ....... 2All About Good Hope ............... 3Good Hope Photo Montage ....... 4Horses Helping Heroes ............. 5Dr. Warren Quillian ............... 6-7Give Miami Day ...................... 8 to Good HopeAbout Lady Bug ....................... 8Thank You .............................. 9

Jose Belaval on Sultana for an afternoon ride with the support of

the Good Hope team.

U N B R I D L E D MAKING LIMITLESS STRIDES TOWARD HEAL 2

Hello Good Hope Family and Friends! As we approach our 17th Year Anniversary we have so much to be thankful for and so many wonderful possibilities ahead! Welcome to our new newsletter ... as a result of the generous media support from Dr. Porter Anderson MD and his charitable foundation and the kind introduction to the foundation from long time supporter and dear friend David Pearson, we are now able to communicate with you more often and in greater detail about what is happening at Good Hope. In this issue, our feature story is on Jose Belaval, a client who has enjoyed remarkable progress in his recovery journey through the healing power of the horse … more specifically Ladybug and Sultana (more on them in this issue also). We are pleased to highlight a special thanks to co-founding board member Dr. Warren Quillian, and share with you the critical role board members, staff, sponsors, and volunteers play to keep us going, especially in these challenging days when not for profits struggle to stay strong. Finally, we are thankful for the opportunity to share our mission ... the amazing story of how Good Hope was founded and why, and what happens here on the farm, in the serene and sacred quiet of our Redlands home. Running a not for profit during these uncertain economic times has not been an easy task. Fortunately, as the Executive Director of Good Hope I get to wear numerous hats so my job is never boring. My favorite hat is the time I get to spend working with various riders. There is nothing better than watching my riders’ progress physically and emotionally as they reach their personal goals. I feel blessed to know and to work with each of our riders, because they are full of joy, laughter, inspiration, and hope. Please post or share a copy of this newsletter with friends. We encourage you to reach out to us and be a part of Good Hope.

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S SADDLE … EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DR. PEGGY BASS WELCOME TO UNBRIDLED

to a wheelchair young boy receive the best of rehabilitative care. Initially Jose did not seem to catch on to the gravity of his condition; he still wanted to run in the park and ride his bicycle. When she could still pick him up in her arms, mom Veronica was able to be primary caregiver as they sought the best doctors and treatment. Eventually Jose began to understand his limitations, grew depressed, overweight, less communicative, and became aggressive at times with those trying to help him. Veronica became ill herself and was no longer able to care for him and her household. After receiving professional counseling on the best case scenario, Jose was relocated to live in a group home. It was there that a therapist who had volunteered at Good Hope suggested the family try equine therapy. After a year and a half of being a patient at Good Hope, today the now 15 year old Jose can walk with assistance, has lost over 30 pounds, and becomes animated and happy when he knows a visit to Good Hope is part of his day. “At first it was very difficult and we weren’t sure it would work,” said Veronica. “He was obese and got easily tired since he was confined to his wheelchair and his muscles had grown weak. It took six volunteers to get him on the horse and he had a bad attitude in the beginning. Now Peggy and one volunteer are all it takes to get him on the horse. His muscles have grown stronger, he is much thinner and more agile. He sees horseback riding as a sport and he is confident in himself. He can stand up straight and is able to walk. He has more strength in his core. He used to

drag his leg but Peggy and her team showed him how he can lift his leg and he doesn’t drag it much like before. He can sense he has the strength to do this.” Jose has come a long way from the early days when a top physician specializing in children told his mom there was no hope and she should go back to Puerto Rico and give up. Veronica takes Jose to Good Hope two or three times a week and would like to do more if she could. She counts his equine therapy as the number one top care option that has given him the best results physically and emotionally. “I can call Peggy whenever I feel stressed or down. She always gives me support and tells me it will get better. I love her as I would my sister and see her as part of my family,” said Veronica. Jose’s older sister Mariana has also witnessed the healing Good Hope has brought her family. At 18 she has decided to pursue a career as a physical therapist or doctor, thanks in part to her

experiencing the difference GHETC has made in her family’s life. “I have seen a lot of positive changes in his life because of the horse therapy,” said Mariana. “Peggy is an angel for my

brother. She always supports him and gives him strength so he can do everything in therapy. She says ‘I love you baby, you are the best’ and thanks to all that love I have seen he is getting better and better. When I go to his house he always shows me what he did with Peggy and he starts jumping and remembering his exercises. He is getting very strong, and even standing up by himself thanks to Peggy and her amazing staff.”

Lady Bug and Dr. Peggy Bass

Jose and family celebrate his 15th birthday.

U N B R I D L E D MAKING LIMITLESS STRIDES TOWARD HEAL 3

The mission of Good Hope Equestrian Training Center (GHETC) is to provide children, youth, and adults with varying conditions quality programs designed to enhance their independence, personal potential, and quality of life. Using the equine as its tool and our 20 acre facility as its classroom, Good Hope is committed to annually expanding program services to meet the educational, recreational, and rehabilitative needs of South Florida’s culturally diverse, disabled populations. GHETC was first developed by two dedicated parents that wanted to make a difference in the lives of the adult disabled community within South Florida. After researching and observing the available programs for disabled adults within the county, Mrs. Nancy Brooks discovered that these programs were over-crowded, under-funded, and did not foster an environment conducive to her daughter, Jenny Busby’s needs. After much introspection, the Brooks family, willing to contribute to the needs of the disabled in Miami-Dade County, agreed to provide the seed money to develop this fantastic organization. Since it’s inception in 1999, GHETC has provided evidence-based equine assisted programming to more than 3,800 children, youth, and adults with varying disabilities and to those in convalescence from various pathologies. We offer a broad array of specialized programs that today serve approximately 400 clients annually. The goal of each

program is to build upon the unique gifts of each client, enabling them to successfully improve their body, mind, and spirit through the healing powers of the horse. Our specialized equine assisted activities are developed with a person-centered focus for individuals ages 3 to 65 with various intellectual, physical, sensory, and emotional disabilities, including amputees, autism, cerebral

palsy, developmental delay, specific learning disabilities such as ADD/ADHD, processing disorders, spinal

cerebellum dysfunction, post traumatic stress disorder, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injury. Good Hope strives to ensure a positive and therapeutic learning environment tailored to each individual’s wants and needs. Therapeutic horseback riding brings about remarkable benefits to our individuals through stretching both mind and muscles leading to improvements in posture, coordination, muscle tone, confidence, and self-worth. The three dimensional gait of the horse helps improve balance, postural and trunk control and enhances fine motor dexterity while guiding the horse through the use of their rein. Astride a horse, the disabled

rider’s self esteem soars as they learn and master new skills while developing a passion and friendship with their equine partner. We have observed hundreds of interpersonal relationships develop as a positive interaction with the GHETC participants, volunteers, and instructors over the years. Horses require a certain level of coherence in order for them to collaborate with us. The horse teaches people that they must be present in the moment for the partnership to be successful. Horses have the ability to mirror human body language, which can provide an opportunity for metaphorical learning during horsemanship activities. These honest, majestic beings are powerful messengers and healers. They can provide individuals therapeutic healing for the body, mind, and spirit.

Dr. Margaret Bass has over 27 years experience working in a variety of educational and rehabilitative settings.

She holds a Bachelors Degree in Recreational/Business Management, as well as a Master’s and Doctorate in

Special Education. Dr. Bass is licensed through the Florida Department of Education in both ESE (define)

and Educational Leadership. She has an Advanced Instructor Certification through the Professional

Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH International), GHETC is the only facility in Miami-Dade County accredited as a Premier

Center through PATH Intl. As a co-founder of GHETC in 1999, Dr. Bass has served as the

Executive Director and is responsible for managing the programmatic, fiscal,

and administrative facets of this dynamic organization.

ALL ABOUT GOOD HOPE … MISSION, HISTORICAL OVERVIEW, AND THE HEALING POWER OF THE HORSE

Derrick relaxes on his buddy Lady Bug.

“I get to ride horses. It feels relaxing. I get out of my chair. It relaxes my muscles.” Derrick Andrews, client, 29 years old

“It’s cool working with another living thing

as you do therapy. The horses have like

a sixth sense. I hope more people come in and find out

about Good Hope.”Michael “Paddington” Huaranga, FIU Intern,

Recreational Therapy major, Senior

“Horses help me with my upper body ...

stretching .... lower back and I get to help out the teacher.”

Michelle Gerlach client, 32 years old

Tom Krause enjoys “matching wits with a thousand pound animal.” The disabled veteran looks forward to his visits to ride Red Rover at GHETC, courtesy of a grant sponsored by the Dr. John T. MacDonald Foundation. “It kind of calms me down for the next couple of days,” said Mr. Krause. “It’s relaxing and quiet out here, away from the airport and away from traffic. It’s like a day in the country ... it is a day full of peace.” Tom is one of six veterans who gets to get away from the city and take the trip down to Good Hope to challenge his horsemanship and physicality while exercising on a patient steed. Recreational Therapist at the Miami Veterans Administration Melissa Crawford says there is a notable difference in the bus ride before and after a visit to Good Hope. “On the bus ride down they are generally quiet and not interacting and then to watch them interact with the horse they totally become a new person with a completely different affect on the way back,” said Ms. Crawford. “Then they are motivated to come back. A lot of times we have problems getting them out of the house, they want to stay home and isolate but this is something they commit to every month and they have plans to come.” Equine Therapy for Veterans has become a popular and

proven therapeutic resource for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder, and a myriad of neurological and physical challenges left over from their days on the battlefield. Not for profits have sprung up nationwide to provide this important and demonstrably effective service to vets in need. In Tim Hayes’ book Riding Home: The Power of Horses to Heal (2015) he writes: “A horse can be our greatest teacher, for horses have no egos, they never lie, they’re never wrong and they manifest unparalleled compassion. Horses help us discover hidden parts of ourselves, whether we’re seven or seventy. They model relationships that demonstrate acceptance, kindness, honesty, tolerance, patience, justice, compassion, and forgiveness.” The GHETC Horses Helping Heroes has served over 500 inpatient and outpatient service men and women from the Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. This unique program consists of the following components: mounted equine assisted sessions, horsemanship training, and natural horsemanship techniques to aid the veterans in learning how to effectively communicate and bond with their equine partners. Tom will always bring a bag of carrots when he heads south to Good Hope for a visit with Red Rover. “It’s gratifying to ride. I make sure to come at least once a month, if I miss a visit I have to break my body in all over again.”

VETERANS VISIT AND RIDE AT GOOD HOPE THROUGH THE HORSES HELPING HEROES PROJECT

GHETC.ORG

Left: Tom on a relaxing ride with Sultana. Right: Chris loves on Sultana.

U N B R I D L E D MAKING LIMITLESS STRIDES TOWARD HEAL 6

Although Dr. Warren Quillian II does not claim to be a horse person per se, as a kid at summer camp in Northern Alabama he enjoyed a spirited game of barnyard polo. “You get a good horse and try to stay on that horse and you hit the ball, which is more like a volleyball and with a broomstick not a mallet ... but you move a bit faster than croquet,” said Dr. Quillian. Perhaps those early years bonding with a good horse prepared him for his

future work as a key co-founder and the most stalwart board member Good

Hope has been blessed to have in a leadership role since its beginning 17 years. The retired pediatrician who served patients out of South Miami Hospital and his private practice in Coral Gables for over 50 years, is former President of the American Society of Pediatrics, and a Greater Miami Pediatric Society Hall of Fame inductee. He followed his father’s impressive legacy to become a doctor. His dad, Dr. Warren Quillian,

THE LOVE, PASSION AND ENERGY FROM VOLUNTEERS LIKE BOARD MEMBER DR. WARREN QUILLIAN KEEP GOOD HOPE STRONG AND SOLID

Continued on next page ...

Dr. Warren Quillian II

“It is amazing to witness how much individuals love the program and want to come everyday.”

Kristen Quinn, GHETC Office Manager

U N B R I D L E D MAKING LIMITLESS STRIDES TOWARD HEAL 7

was one of the initial pediatricians in Miami, beginning his practice (a practice that is still flourishing 95 years later) in 1925. The first Dr. Quillian also founded the pediatric program at Jackson Memorial Hospital. That dynamic combination of an affinity for his patients, and understanding the possibilities of a good horse came together in the perfect union of patient and horse back in 1999. “I had a patient who was significantly handicapped and she went through all that was available at that time in Miami-Dade and there was still a big void as far as opportunities for her care,” said Dr. Quillian. “I asked her mother what was the most important thing to her in life and she said ‘without a doubt it is the time she spends with a horse’ so we thought what could we do to make something happen?” The patient was a young Jenny Busby dealing with cerebral palsy. Her instructor and trainer at the time was Peggy Bass. Her mother, Nancy Brooks, then went on a mission to find the funds for an equine therapy center where her daughter and others in a similar condition could enjoy the outdoors, make friends their own age, and benefit from the healing powers of the horse. From that early conversation and collaboration between doctor, patient, instructor, and supportive family,

Good Hope Equestrian Center was able to open the center to the community. “Dr. Quillian has been a guiding force for me with Jenny her whole life, and his father was my pediatrician,” said GHETC co-founder Nancy Brooks who continues to be active with Good Hope today. “He has been instrumental in helping the program at Good Hope continue all these years and if it wasn’t for Peggy we couldn’t have done it at all. She has the expertise and the energy to

make it all possible. The program has helped Jenny and so many others and that is what we set out to do.” “Dr. Quillian is still viewed as one of the leading pediatricians in South Florida although he is retired,” said Dr. Bass. “His expertise within the field of medicine and his passion for helping others has been critical to allowing Good Hope to develop and expand its programs.” Therapeutic Riding, Companion Services, Personal Care Supports, Supportive Employment, and the Horses Helping Heroes Project, are some of the programs at GHETC as well as specialized workshops and certifications that provide continuing education and certification to

professionals throughout the country. GHETC is also recognized with the premier accreditation (the only facility in Miami-Dade and one of only 11 in Florida) certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International. But Dr. Quillian defers to the Brooks family and Dr. Bass’ know how as the key to Good Hope’s success. “The Brooks family had a great passion for helping the less fortunate and I can’t tell you what a valuable asset Miss Bass

is. She has her PhD in special needs and she is a remarkable young lady. She has the energy and she is always available ... the

participants in the program love her as we all do.” Love, passion, and energy are the bedrock that keep Good Hope strong and steady. Board members, sponsors, and volunteers are always welcome to join the GHETC family and continually necessary to maintain and expand services for clients. “Our board is made up of a group of individuals dedicated to help under served areas of our community and they have a great passion for it,” said Dr. Quillian. “We have a lot of wonderful volunteers and staff but we always need money and involvement. I think it gives you a sense of accomplishment that you have been able to help others and that is the bottom line.”

To find out how you can become a board member, sponsor, or volunteer at Good Hope call us at 305 258 2838.Please visit our website at GHETC.ORG for more information on how you can get involved.

Promiseland kids celebrate a day at Good Hope

“Dr. Quillian is still viewed as one of the leading pediatricians in South Florida although he is retired,”

U N B R I D L E D MAKING LIMITLESS STRIDES TOWARD HEAL 8

=

Lady Bug is a twenty-one year old Paint/American Quarter Horse mare. Mrs. Karen Rodriguez and the family graciously donated her to GHETC in October of 2007. Lady Bug was her daughter Alexa’s first show horse and was a beloved family pet, so it was a big decision for the family. “From the first day since Lady Bug arrived, she has been a blessing. She is really diverse ... you can use her for a therapeutic riding lesson and have any kind of toy around her to aid with the class and she is completely bomb proof. She knows her job, she really loves the kids and they really love her.” Dr. Bass

ABOUT LADY BUG

Give Miami Day is an annual event sponsored by The Miami Foundation. It is a day to remind our community of all the wonderful organizations countywide that work to improve the lives of others in need. Established in 1967, The Miami Foundation “uses civic leadership, community investment and philanthropy to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Greater Miami home.” Last year over 7.1 million was raised for more than 600 non profits from over 17,000 donors around the world. We ask all our readers and friends to please give to Good Hope Equestrian Center on Give Miami Day.

Every donation between $25 and $10,000 will be matched with a bonus gift from The Miami Foundation philanthropy partners. Our wish list is to get a new 10 seat van with accommodations for at least two wheelchairs so our clients can all easily travel together on field trips like to Shake A Leg Miami in Coconut Grove or Fairchild Gardens. Please contact Good Hope if you have any questions and thank you in advance for your support!

GIVE MIAMI DAY NOVEMBER 17 PLEASE CHOOSE GOOD HOPE!

Midnight enjoys a cool drink from GHETC volunteer Suzy Limoni-Woerfel after a riding lesson.

TO DONATE GO TO: GIVEMIAMIDAY.ORG

“The kids, the horses, Peggy ... that’s why Delta (her therapy dog) and I come up as often as we can from the Keys. It’s life changing for us and for all these kids.”

Suzy Limoni-Woerfel

U N B R I D L E D MAKING LIMITLESS STRIDES TOWARD HEAL 9

GHETC.ORG

EDITOR/WRITER Raquel Garcia

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Christine McGuireGHETC REPORTER Michelle Gerlach CONSULTANT David PearsonSPONSOR Dr. Porter Anderson

22155 SW 147TH AVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33170CONTACT US AT: 305.258.2838FAX: 305.258.2902P.O. BOX: 700016 MIAMI, FL 33170-0016UNBRIDLED

We would like to thank our beloved sponsors,

volunteers, staff, and friends for their tireless

support and commitment to

GOOD HOPEwithout which we would not be able to make a

positive difference in so many lives. Please call us

today and find out how you can give of your time

and/or resources to help us continue our work.

GHETC

GOOD HOPE EQUESTRIAN TRAINING CENTER, INC22155 SW 147TH AVENUEMIAMI, FLORIDA 33170

JOIN IN OUR MISSION & SHARE IN OUR JOY OF CHANGING LIVES FOR THE DISABLED Please accept my contribution to Good Hope Equestrian Training Center, Inc. (A 501 © (3) Not-For Profit Organization)

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Contributions from this newsletter will be used to underwrite scholarships for GHETC therapeutic horseback riding sessions.