named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Ask The Therapist – Empowering Parents
Free interactive events providing education and support for parents and caregivers of children with special needs
Equine Facilitated Therapy (HPOT)
Physical, occupational, or speech therapy incorporating equine movement and the equestrian environment
Finding Peace in the Paddock™ Wellness Based
Trauma-informed program combining meditation, stretching, and hands-on engagement with horses
Intervention Through Exploration
Nature-based therapy sessions addressing gross and fine motor goals through outdoor activities
Sibshops: A Space for Siblings to Connect
Support program celebrating and providing resources for siblings of children with special needs
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Therapeutic Equine-Assisted Programs 2 activities
- Host public educational events for families and caregiversHosts free, interactive Ask the Therapist events and public educational sessions on topics including hippotherapy and nature-based therapy, led by licensed therapists, to support parents and caregivers of children with special needs.
- Provide equine and nature-based therapeutic programsOffers Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) and nature-based therapy sessions that use horses and outdoor environments to improve gross and fine motor skills, postural control, balance, self-care abilities, and emotional regulation. Includes hippotherapy sessions that utilize equine movement to strengthen core muscles and enhance motor development, as well as the Finding Peace in the Paddock program featuring trauma-informed activities with horses.
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Neurological Disorder Research & Rehabilitation 1 activity
- Conduct research to advance evidence-based therapeutic practicesConducts research initiatives and participates in collaborative studies, such as serving as lead speech-language pathologist on the Child Mind Institute’s Healthy Brain Network, to advance evidence-based practices in the therapeutic community.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Deliver multidisciplinary therapy services for children with special needsProvides speech, physical, and occupational therapy services to children with medical and developmental conditions through a team of licensed therapists, including evaluation and treatment for language disorders, fluency, hearing, social communication, and autism spectrum disorder. Services are delivered in multiple settings such as preschools, elementary schools, early intervention centers, in-home, and sensory clinics.
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Autism & Neurodiversity Education Workshops 1 activity
- Provide educational programs for families and professionalsOffers workshops, seminars, and resources for families of children with special needs and healthcare professionals to build knowledge and capacity in therapeutic support.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$259K
Contributions & grants$206K79%
Program service revenue$53K21%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$246K
Program expenses54%
Admin / overhead44%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$67K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$43K
Cash$43K
Investments$0
Liabilities$30K
Net assets$13K
Liquid reserves2.1 mo
1 years on record · 2024–2024
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JESSICA FALCO | VICE PRESIDENT / TREASURER | 20 | $21K |
| MELISSA JARZYNSKI | VICE PRESIDENT | 20 | $21K |
| LYDIA STERNFELD TO 112024 | VICE PRESIDENT / SECRETARY | 20 | $12K |
| LAURA MERINO AS OF 122024 | VICE PRESIDENT / SECRETARY | 20 | $6K |
board members · 11
- ALEX SIKOSCKOW — DIRECTOR
- DEANNA CHIECO — DIRECTOR
- EMILY RUBIN GARCIA — DIRECTOR
- ERIK BOYLE — DIRECTOR
- JOE ABRUZZESE — DIRECTOR
- JOE STECCATO — DIRECTOR
- KELLY BRANCO TO 122024 — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL FALCO — DIRECTOR
- PATRICIA STECCATO — DIRECTOR
- RANDY FALCO — PRESIDENT
- SHERYL MANDALA — DIRECTOR
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- American Hippotherapy Association Partner — Laura Merino is trained in the American Hippotherapy Association’s treatment principles.
- American Hippotherapy Association Partner — Provided training in hippotherapy treatment principles for speech-language pathology services.
- Ask the Therapist Partner — Free interactive event series for parents and caregivers, offered as a resource in partnership with therapists.
- Audubon Society Partner — Laura Merino previously worked with elementary school-aged children in environmental education programs conducted through the Audubon Society.
- Child Mind Institute Partner — Employed Jessica Falco as lead speech-language pathologist on the Healthy Brain Network research study.
- Jessica Falco Partner — Licensed therapist leading an educational event on hippotherapy for speech development.
- Laura Merino Partner — Licensed therapist leading educational events on nature-based therapy and hippotherapy for occupational therapy.
- Laura Merino Partner — Occupational therapist and speaker collaborating on educational programming about hippotherapy.
- Melissa Jarzynski Partner — Licensed therapist leading educational events on hippotherapy for physical and general therapeutic applications.
- NYU Langone’s Cochlear Implant Center Partner — Hosted Jessica Falco’s Clinical Fellowship Year.
- Special Strides Partner — Clinical rotation site focused on physical, occupational, and speech therapies alongside equine movement.
- Stable Friendships Foundation Network — Member of a network promoting equine-assisted therapies (implied by mission alignment and terminology)
strategies · 5
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.
- Barrier-Reduced Access Modelmethodology: barrier-reductionBy identifying and addressing systemic barriers related to affordability, language, and inclusivity, the organization ensures access to therapeutic services because removing structural obstacles enables consistent participation and improves outcomes for underserved populations.
- Hippotherapy as Clinical Interventionmethodology: hippotherapyBy utilizing the rhythmic, three-dimensional movement of horses in therapy sessions, licensed clinicians support physical, cognitive, and emotional development in children with special needs because this motion engages core muscles, enhances neural connectivity, and provides sensory input that directly advances clinical goals in speech, occupational, and physical therapy.
- Human-Animal Bond as Therapeutic Foundationmethodology: human-animal_bond_integrationBy integrating the mutual care and respect inherent in the human-horse relationship into therapy, the organization fosters therapeutic progress because this bond builds emotional security, encourages responsibility, and enhances engagement in treatment.
- Nature-Based Therapeutic Environmentmethodology: nature-based_therapyBy situating therapy in natural outdoor settings, the organization improves motor, self-care, and regulatory skills because engagement with nature enhances motivation, reduces stress, and allows for creative, play-based achievement of clinical goals.
- Trauma-Informed Equine Interactionmethodology: trauma-informed_physical_therapyBy combining meditation, stretching, and structured equine interaction, the organization supports emotional and physical wellness because this integrated, trauma-informed approach regulates the nervous system and builds trust through predictable, respectful human-animal relationships.