irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $44KTherapeutic Riding utilizes PATH Intl. Certified Riding Instructors, specially trained horses and volunteers working together to provide the highest quality experieince for both children and adults with a wide variety of special needs. These may include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, developmental or cognitive disorders, hearing or sight impairments and more.
- #2 $11KCrossroads is a 10-month, weekly mentorship program where foster and adopted children achieve individualized life goals through Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Learning. Through a trauma informed lens, the principals of neuropsychology are woven into each session and the effects of trauma are reduced to create lasting change. PATH Intl. Certified Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Crossroads
10-month trauma-informed mentorship program for foster and adopted children using equine-assisted learning and neuropsychology principles.
Horses 4 Heroes
Program serving veterans, first responders, active military, and their families through equine-assisted activities.
Imagine That Ponies & Petting Zoo
Outreach program bringing miniature horses, donkeys, goats, and sheep to off-site events for educational and therapeutic purposes.
Therapeutic Riding
PATH Intl.-certified riding instruction for children and adults with special needs including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain injury.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Therapeutic Equine-Assisted Programs 4 activities
- Crossroads mentorship program for foster and adopted youthOperates a 10-month weekly equine-assisted learning program for fostered and adopted children from Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan Counties, using trauma-informed practices and volunteer mentors alongside PATH Intl. Certified Equine Specialists to support trauma healing, resilience, and transition to healthy adulthood.
- Horses 4 Heroes program for veterans, active military, first responders, and familiesOffers free equine-assisted therapy and one-day retreats for veterans, active duty military, law enforcement, first responders, and their families to address chronic stress, trauma, and mental health challenges. Includes both ongoing classes and specialized events designed to improve emotional regulation and psychological well-being.
- Scholarship programs to increase access to therapeutic servicesAdministers need-based and targeted scholarship programs including the Biondo Scholarship for children with IEPs in grades K–12 and the Christian Bressler Memorial Scholarship for military members, veterans, and their families, enabling participation in therapeutic horsemanship programs at little or no cost.
- Therapeutic riding and equine-assisted mental health services for individuals with special needsProvides therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted learning for children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities—including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Traumatic Brain Injury—using PATH Intl. certified instructors and specialists. Programs focus on improving physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral outcomes through structured, individualized sessions.
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Equine Rescue and Retirement Care 1 activity
- Animal rescue, rehabilitation, and herd careProvides rehabilitation and long-term care for rescued equines, including a pony recovered from severe neglect, and accepts donated horses such as from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department. Maintains daily care of therapy horses and facility animals through grooming, feeding, and health monitoring.
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Charity Event Organization 1 activity
- Fundraising and development operationsPlans and hosts annual fundraising events such as the Road Rally (held in 2025 and planned for 2026) and maintains a Development and Communications Coordinator role to support organizational growth. Engages in grant writing and donor outreach to sustain programming.
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Equine Education and Riding Instruction 1 activity
- Summer horsemanship and outreach programs for youthOffers a summer horsemanship program for children aged 6 to 15 and conducts outreach through the “Imagine That Ponies & Petting Zoo” initiative, which includes therapy goats and a miniature donkey visiting off-site locations to educate the public about equine-assisted services.
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Animal Rescue Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
- Volunteer engagement and trainingRecruits and trains volunteers to support therapeutic programs through side-walking during lessons, horse care, groundskeeping, and event planning. Offers free horsemanship training for current volunteers covering horse communication, leading techniques, and stress reduction around horses.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$239K
Contributions & grants$123K52%
Program service revenue$114K48%
Investment income$2K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$260K
Program expenses73%
Admin / overhead26%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$182K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$291K
Cash$91K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$291K
Liquid reserves4.2 mo
5 years on record · 2021–2025 · YoY revenue -43.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURIE BRYCELAND | Executive Director | 40 | $53K |
board members · 6
- BETH VAN PELT — Director
- DEIDRE DESPAIGNE — Director
- ELIZABETH MILLER — Director
- HEIDI JOHNSON — Director
- JERRY LYNN FAIRCHILD — Director
- LAUREN SCOTT — Director
relationships · 38
Who they work with
- 3 Ninja Express Port Jervis Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- American National Insurance (Thomas Letizia Agency) Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- Biondo Foundation Partner — Partners to administer the Biondo Scholarship for children with IEPs to access therapeutic horsemanship programs.
- Children's Foundation of Orange & Sullivan (CFOS) Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- Cuginos Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- El Patron Port Jervis Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- F42 Home Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- Finding Home Farms Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- Hudson Valley Credit Union Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- Hudson Valley Veteran Task Force Partner — Executive Director is a member, supporting veteran-focused initiatives
- Hudson Valley Vets Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- Jessica Partner — Volunteer Coordinator responsible for managing volunteer inquiries and coordination.
- Jessica Partner — Volunteer Coordinator responsible for managing volunteer inquiries and opportunities
- Katery To Go Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- Laurie Partner — Contact for Board of Directors membership, supporting organizational governance and growth.
- Laurie Partner — Staff member providing equine-assisted therapy to participants including veterans and children.
- Linda Partner — Contact for Event Planning Committee, which plans annual fundraising events.
- Mental Health Association of Dutchess County (Vet2Vet Program) Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- Middletown Lions Club Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals Partner — Board member participates in E-Badge program review to support professionalization of direct support workforce
- Natural Lifemanship Institute Partner — Staff are certified at Level 2 with the Natural Lifemanship Institute, reflecting integration of its methodology into programming.
- Neversink Lumber Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- Oral Roberts University Partner — Community partner supporting Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship programs
- Orange County Chamber of Commerce Partner — Executive Director is a member, engaging in regional economic and community development networks
- Orange County Department of Social Services Partner — Collaborates with former staff experienced in child protective services, foster care, and adoption
- PATH Intl Network — Member organization utilizing PATH Intl certifications and standards for therapeutic horsemanship
- PATH Intl Network — Staff members hold certifications and pursue training through PATH Intl, indicating formal affiliation and adherence to its standards.
- PATH Intl. Partner — Utilizes PATH Intl. Certified Riding Instructors and PATH Intl. Certified Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning in its programs.
- Patti Partner — Program Coordinator responsible for program enrollment and session information
- Patti Partner — Program Coordinator responsible for receiving registration forms for the summer horsemanship program.
+ 8 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Equine-Assisted Trauma Healing through Relational Safetymethodology: trauma_informed_equine_assisted_learningBy engaging participants in relationship-based interactions with trained horses using trauma-informed principles, the organization fosters emotional safety and trust that support healing from trauma and build resilience, because both horses and humans respond to calm, predictable, and connected relationships grounded in neuropsychology.
- Horse-Centered Care as a Foundation for Sustainable Therapymethodology: relationship-based_equine_careBy prioritizing equine well-being through relationship-based training and scheduled rest periods, the organization ensures consistent, high-quality therapeutic interactions because healthy, emotionally regulated horses are essential co-facilitators in equine-assisted therapy.
- Individualized Therapeutic Goal Setting for Holistic Growthmethodology: individualized-therapeutic-goal-settingBy customizing equine-assisted activities to individual therapeutic goals, the organization improves physical, emotional, and cognitive outcomes because personalized programming aligns interventions with each participant’s unique needs and developmental trajectory.