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NATIONAL EQUINE INSTITUTE OF GROWTH THROUGH HEALING INC
BEMUS POINT, NY · EIN 842539114 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · NTEE D99 · Animal-Related · Micro (<$100K) · theneigh.org
revenue
$59K
expenses
$59K
net assets
$7K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

THE NATIONAL EQUINE INSTITUTE OF GROWTH THROUGH HEALING (N.E.I.G.H.), THROUGH OUR EQUINE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR TRAINING PROGRAMS, DEVELOP AND DELIVER LIFE-ENRICHING, EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BRING EMPOWERMENT, HEALING, AND BEHAVIOR IMPROVEMENT. WE SUPPORT OUR MISSION WITH EVIDENCE-BASED OUTCOMES.

profile · synthesized from sources

The National Equine Institute of Growth Through Healing (N.E.I.G.H.) provides equine-assisted therapy and behavioral training programs focused on healing, empowerment, and mental health support. The organization primarily serves military veterans, first responders, and their families, using evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches involving horses. Based in Gerry, New York, it operates through certified facilitators and a dedicated board, offering programs grounded in emotional regulation, peer support, and the human-horse bond.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Emotional Coat Model
Therapeutic framework developed by Dawn Samuelson that uses equine interactions to help participants process emotions, trauma, and behavioral patterns; taught and facilitated by certified staff
Equine-Assisted Art Therapy
Combines creative expression with equine-assisted learning to support emotional healing, particularly for first responders and trauma survivors; led by certified facilitators like Meghan Spicola
Oliver’s Herd Campaign
Outreach and donor engagement initiative featuring free coloring pages and storytime videos on Facebook to inspire healing and build a community of recurring supporters
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Therapeutic Equine-Assisted Programs 3 activities
    • Equine-assisted educational programs for youth groups
      Hosts youth groups such as Girl Scout troops for equine-related educational activities that incorporate therapeutic and behavioral learning principles to support emotional development and experiential learning.
    • Equine-assisted therapy and behavioral training programs
      Develops and delivers equine-assisted programs using the Emotional Coat Model™ to promote mental and emotional healing, behavior improvement, and empowerment for participants including veterans, first responders, law enforcement, youth groups, and therapy horses. Programs are delivered in trauma-informed settings and include individualized therapeutic engagement and behavioral training for both humans and horses.
    • Three-day wellness retreats for veterans, first responders, and law enforcement
      Hosts immersive three-day retreats providing structured tools for stress stabilization, nervous system regulation, and resilience-building through peer-driven group dynamics, individualized support, and in-depth training in the Emotional Coat Model™. Includes accommodations, meals, and hands-on equine-assisted learning to enhance self-awareness and regulation under pressure.
  • Charity Golf Tournament Fundraiser 1 activity
    • Community engagement and fundraising initiatives
      Organizes and leads community programs including the Christmas Can Drive, the annual "Tee it up for the Troops, Wanakah" golf event since 2016, and the Oliver’s Herd campaign, which includes free coloring pages and Facebook-based storytime to promote healing and donor engagement.
  • Mental Health Education and Awareness 1 activity
    • Peer-led workshops for mental health and resilience
      Offers peer-led, trauma-informed workshops designed to equip veterans, law enforcement, and first responders with skills to manage stress, enhance mental clarity, build resilience, and foster connection through personal growth and group support.
  • Professional Training and Certification in Mental Health 1 activity
    • Professional training and outreach in equine-assisted methods
      Provides training to educators and presents equine-assisted learning and psychotherapy approaches at national events such as Equine Affaire, Can-Am Expo, and Certified Horsemanship events, including through national clinician roles and dissemination of the Emotional Coat Model™.
  • Suicide Prevention Programs 1 activity
    • The Constance Project for veteran suicide prevention and mental health
      Operates The Constance Project, a program dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health support for veterans, active military personnel, and their families experiencing PTSD, bereavement, anxiety, depression, and anger issues, established in memory of U.S. Air Force Veteran Constance Marie Davenport.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Monthly peer networking for law enforcement spouses
      Hosts a monthly peer networking event to support law enforcement spouses through community connection and shared experience.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$59K
Contributions & grants$22K38%
Program service revenue$30K50%
Investment income$40%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$59K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$27K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$7K
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +5.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

board members · 1
  • TAYLOR SAMUELSON — EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
relationships · 22

Who they work with

  • Black Rifle Coffee Company Partner — Collaborates with NEIGH in supporting veterans; Black Rifle Coffee Company is highlighted in connection with veteran-focused events such as the Joseph P Dwyers Veterans Winter Camp.
  • Chautauqua County Mobile Crisis Team Partner — Collaborates with NEIGH through staff involvement and shared crisis intervention services.
  • Chautauqua County Suicide Alliance Network — Dawn Samuelson is a member, connecting NEIGH to regional suicide prevention efforts.
  • Chautauqua County Youth Advisory Committee Network — Dawn Samuelson is a member, linking NEIGH to youth-focused community initiatives.
  • Country Woman Magazine Partner — Featured Dawn Samuelson and the organization's approach in a 2009 cover story.
  • Dwyer Chautauqua Program Partner — Partner organization associated with NEIGH's programs.
  • Facebook Partner — Platform used to share updates and connect with supporters
  • Hilbert College Partner — Collaborates with students from Hilbert College in criminal justice, human resources, and marketing programs.
  • Instagram Partner — Platform used to share updates and connect with supporters
  • Jamestown Police Department Partner — Engaged through board member participation in the Citizen Police Academy and shared focus on law enforcement wellness.
  • Mane 'n Tail Partner — Certified member and product supporter of NEIGH.
  • Medaille College Partner — Partner institution where NEIGH has delivered equine-assisted therapy programs or outreach events.
  • Military Makeover with Montel Williams Partner — N.E.I.G.H. has been featured on this Lifetime TV program, highlighting its work with military members.
  • NYLEAP Partner — Partner organization associated with NEIGH's programs.
  • Orchard Park Jr. Girl Scout troop 31180 Partner — Collaborates with the troop to support equine-related badge work and educational programming.
  • Range Ranch Partner — Co-hosts a peer networking event for law enforcement spouses.
  • T.A.P.S. Partner — Kim Warner volunteers with T.A.P.S. (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) as a Peer Mentor and Care Group Facilitator, connecting the organization’s mission to veteran and military family support.
  • TikTok Partner — Platform used to share updates and connect with supporters
  • Trocaire College Partner — Partner institution where NEIGH has conducted equine-assisted therapy programs or outreach activities.
  • WNY Heroes, Inc Partner — Collaborates with NEIGH on programs serving local heroes, including veterans and first responders.
  • WNY Law Enforcement Helpline Partner — Co-hosts a peer networking event for law enforcement spouses.
  • WNY Law Enforcement Helpline Partner — Proud ambassador partner supporting NEIGH's mission.
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 Therapeutic Alignment
    methodology: equine_assisted_therapy
    By engaging in authentic human-horse interaction through evidence-based equine-assisted activities, participants achieve emotional regulation, trauma release, and behavioral improvement because the horse’s sensitivity to human emotional states creates immediate biofeedback that reveals and disrupts unhelpful patterns.
  • Experiential Emotional Reset Through Non-Verbal Learning
    methodology: experiential_resilience_building
    By using horses as non-verbal facilitators of emotional awareness and regulation, individuals build self-awareness and lasting resilience because equine responses provide real-time feedback that bypasses cognitive defenses and enables a fundamental personal reset.
  • Peer-Led Trauma-Informed Resilience Building
    methodology: peer_led_trauma_informed_care
    By integrating peer support with trauma-informed equine-assisted programming, participants—especially first responders and military personnel—develop resilience and mental clarity because shared lived experience combined with experiential learning fosters trust, reduces isolation, and enables emotional breakthroughs.