Our History
The Farm at Nanticoke Creek was founded by Colleen Cheechalk, her husband Todd, and daughter Ally in 1998. The farm is currently home to our seven horses, six of which have been brought here in cooperation with Sunkissed Acres Rescue and Retirement in Summerville, GA. Many of the horses and livestock that come here have histories that ofter include abuse, neglect or a close encounter with a slaughter truck. The chickens and ducks that are raised here are Heritage Breeds and listed with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. We are one of only a handful of breeders and preservationists dedicated to securing a future for the Welsh Harlequin (Critical), Cayuga (Threatened), Indian Runner and Swedish (both on the watch list) ducks and the Dominique Chicken (Watch list). Animals who come here for rehabilitation stay at the farm for the rest of their lives and serve as teachers who help children and adults to learn about themselves and reconnect with the environment.
In addition to the farm animals, we are also a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat and we create and maintain more than 3 acres of natural habitat for the many species that call our farm home. During 2011, the farm will begin the transition into a Certified Community Habitat, one of four in all of New York State. Through the interactions with nature, the animals and their stories, our students learn kindness, compassion, confidence and respect and appreciation for animals and all who inhabit the earth.
Our program officially began in June of 2009, with the formation of Companion Farms, Inc. and in January 2010, our dedicated volunteers and volunteer Board of Directors approved major, positive, change in the direction of our organization. We became a complete equine (horse) and agricultural program with a focus on unique, engaging instruction, ethics in the field of Animal and Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (AAAT/EAAT), Humane Education, Equine Protection, and client and community outreach. The corporation was renamed Borrowed Freedom Equine Assisted Therapies and Activities, Inc. and became the area’s first and only organization to provide a comprehensive program at no charge to families.
Our Mission
Borrowed Freedom Equine Assisted Therapies and Activities, Inc. strives to offer a meaningful experience that will enhance wellness, build life skills and bring great joy and self-esteem to children, adults and families with physical, developmental, intellectual, emotional or socioeconomic special needs. We do this by providing funding for equine (horse), animal assisted activities, agricultural and environmental learning opportunities, and the development and implementation of innovative, beneficial projects.
We believe that in fostering the wellness and independence that develops through the beneficial relationships between people, animals and the environment we can make a positive impact on our community and its future.
Our Board Of Directors
Borrowed Freedom Equine Assisted Therapies and Activities, Inc. has a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors and Advisory Panel:
Colleen Cheechalk – President
Grace Andres – Secretary
Joan Wright – Treasurer
Lori McManus
Heather McManus
Allyson Cheechalk – Youth Advisory Board
Advisory Board and Panel
Jessica Reinartz, PT, DPT – Jump Start Physical Therapy, PLLC
Wanja and Melissa Gerlach – Performance Sporthorses, LLC
Rosemary Glanville – Laylor Creekside Dental
Karin Foley - Solar Hill Sport Horses & Blind Squirrel Labradors
Nancy Cheechalk – Guardian Insurance (Ret)
Grace Andres – Be True To You Fitness
Tammy Martin Dobrosielski, PT – Greater Lawrence School District
Joan Wright – People’s Neighborhood Bank
Lori Tankel – Calypso Farm Eventers
Todd Buttman – TBE Concrete Specialties
Organizational Profile
Borrowed Freedom Equine Assisted Therapies and Activities, Inc. is an IRS Certified 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization. Our EIN# is 27-0327968. The organization is also registered with the NYS Attorney General’s Office Charities Bureau Registry. Our registration# is 42-60-23. Our 501(c)(3) status became effective June 3rd, 2009. Donations to Borrowed Freedom Equine Assisted Therapies and Activities, Inc, are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
How We Are Funded
Grants and gifts from charitable organizations
Donations from private citizens
Sponsorship from area businesses
Fundraising activities including our Annual Pasta Dinner, 2012 Wine Tasting, Open House events and other projects.
Individuals Served
To be eligible for services at no charge, students must have a documented need. A referral from a physician, therapist, educator, school district personnel or service agency is preferred. Families may also apply based on an Individual Education Plan (IEP), Individual Family Services Plan (IFSP), Care Plan, or a 504 Designation. Students ages 3 through adulthood are served by our program. Students from several local school districts including Johnson City, Maine-Endwell, Union Endicott and Vestal attend our program weekly. We also have students from the Handicapped Childrens Association, Head Start, the Institute for Child Development at Binghamton University, and other local schools. We also proudly offer a Farm Day for the Fresh Air Fund children who visit Broome and Tioga Counties each summer.
Programs Offered
We offer Equine Assisted Activities including Unmounted Therapeutic Horsemanship, Therapeutic Riding and our innovative and unique Borrowed Freedom program which incorporates unmounted horsemanship with the arts. We also offer Hippotherapy and community learning and outreach opportunities. In 2012 we will also host our Trail Blazers Special Olympics program, and we will be piloting our therapeutic vaulting program.
Cost To Participate
Many of our staff members and volunteers have been in the same position that many of our student families face. Finding $150-200 more each month when you are already paying so much out of pocket for therapeutic services is just not possible. We firmly believe that the joy, self-esteem, independence, trust and caring that students can achieve through this program is priceless. You simply cannot put a price on dignity and self-respect! We were inspired by Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship in Arizona to always provide services at no charge, and we hope that we will inspire others to do the same.
Standards
Borrowed Freedom Equine Assisted Therapies and Activities, Inc. is a member of the following organizations, our staff is trained in, and upholds, the guidelines and policies each organization requires and as it applies to the programming being offered. Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (formerly NARHA), Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), Equine Experiential Education Association, The American Hippotherapy Association, The United States Pony Club, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
We are working diligently to achieve Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) Premier Accredited Center status. Our program meets or exceeds more than 82 mandatory and core standards required for this status, plus additional standards required for Hippotherapy.
Annual Budget
We are committed to providing the best experience for our clients and students, while remaining fiscally responsible and debt free. We feel strongly that our donors deserve to feel confident that their support directly and positively impacts the lives of the individuals we serve and the animals in our care.
Our annual budget and fundraising goal for 2012 is $12,500. This budget includes the basic health care and feeding of the six horses, two goats, our Autism Service Dog and Therapy dog in training, and 5 chickens. It also includes the consumable materials, tack and equipment we use in our programming. Our insurance, memberships and fund for special events such as Fresh Air Fund visits and in-school visits are also included in our annual budget.
Borrowed Freedom is a volunteer organization with no paid staff. Volunteers will provide more than 4500 hours of service over the course of the year, valued at more than $36000.
Borrowed Freedom will be able to offer programming to 4 Hippotherapy clients (for one full year), 4 Therapeutic Riding students (for one full year), 6 Horsemanship students (20 weeks) and 12 Learning Program students (12 weeks).
Borrowed Freedom will be announcing a comprehensive Capital Campaign in 2012 which includes outdoor arena improvements, a seasonal restroom, and additional equipment vital for our growth and expansion.
Contact Information
Our farm is located in Endicott, NY less than 4 miles from the Cider Mill and easy to reach from Route 17. All visits to the farm are by appointment only. We have a fully accessible farm. Our facility includes a 3 stall horse barn, 3 large fenced paddocks each with a oversized field run-in, a 24 x 16 run-in and a 32 x 16 run-in that can be converted to box stalls with connected paddocks for horses who require rehabilitation or stall rest and for inclement weather. We have a 100 x 80 grass riding arena and a 40 x 100 educational area with a 16 x 16 covered classroom. We also have access to a brand new two stall shedrow horse barn with a full tack room and an additional 60 x 60 grass arena which is graciously provided by the Andres family for the benefit of the program.
Our mailing address is:
Borrowed Freedom Equine Assisted Therapies and Activities, Inc.
2520 Vestal Parkway E. PMB#313
Vestal, NY 13850
We can reached by phone at 607-658-3298 and our fax number is 972-616-5155
