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Sarah Spearman, NMCTR Executive Director with Maina (photo courtesy: Alissa Petrosoniak)

February 10, 2022 – 

Executive Director Report

I am so excited to be writing my very first newsletter message to all of you as NMCTR’s new Executive Director. And I’m just as excited to be looking forward to the 2022 year ahead as we grow and reach more children, youth and adults with disabilities.

It’s clear that I have landed in a small but mighty organization that is made up of passionate and hardworking staff, Board of Directors, volunteers, horses, and supporters.  Thanks to those of you who have extended welcomes to me and who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting as I take all of our volunteer orientation classes. The sassiest welcome to me was made by Maina (pictured here) when we were trying to get a picture of me for the website.  I was in a different horse’s turnout waiting for their cooperation when Maina (a horse on trial for our programs) unsuspectingly came over to me and commenced to continuously nudge me.  It was clear that she wanted to be in the picture…and it also won her a special place in my heart.  I love a goofball.

I’ve been learning a great deal about the world of equine-assisted therapy in the last month. I have great teachers with our staff. Below are the NMCTR programs that I’m discovering more and more about. I thought you, dear reader, may also appreciate discovering more about what we do and how we change rider’s lives. I encourage you to explore our programs and to reach out to me if you have any questions or would like to learn more about how to be involved in this important work:

School Outreach Program: serves under-served, low-income students with disabilities (including developmental delay, Down Syndrome, ADHD, autism, etc.) from participating Santa Fe schools,

Self-Mastery Program: Equine assisted learning program for at-risk youth (ptsd, childhood trauma, substance abuse, suicidal, teen pregnancy) that consists of unmounted activities with horses that provides opportunities for youth to practice emotional self-regulation, energy management, and physical awareness,

Therapeutic Riding Lessons: Therapeutic Riding Lessons provides instruction in riding and horsemanship with the goal of expanding the cognitive, physical, emotional, social skills and well-being of individuals with special needs, 

High School Intern Program: High school teens come for an entire semester and assist with our School Outreach Program, as well as assisting with horse and barn duties. The program offers inclusive opportunities between students from local high schools and riders with disabilities.

If you (like me) feel moved to be more involved and to help support the life-changing work of NMCTR, I encourage you to give me a call (505-471-2000, x2), send me an email, or make a donation. Together we can help more under-served children, youth and adults with disabilities in our community to have rich and empowering experiences that they would likely be unable to experience without our help.

Looking forward to meeting you and thank you for your support!

~Sarah