With the Love of God
The Strength of People
The Power of Community
PLEASE GIVE TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY THRIVE!
Dear friends,
Happy Spring! Who would have thought we would be two-years out from dealing with a pandemic, right? At Changing Gaits, we know these are challenging times for our children, youth, adults, families, and businesses. Our client intake has increased significantly, which tells us, our services are needed more than ever in our 18-years of operations. If you or a loved one have experienced loss of a loved one, depression, or declining physical or mental health balanced by few positives, please know … we are here to help. We’re also excited to tell you we are still planning to build a new arena. Once we find the right funder(s) or donor(s), Changing Gaits will be able to provide services year-round. WOW, what a difference that will make in our communities! Please keep our important initiative in your thoughts and prayers.
Throughout the month of May, we’re launching our 3rd Annual May Capital Campaign. As a new season of work is in front of us, we think of our most valued asset at the ranch, our 32 horses. We incur $80,000 annually for vet care, feed and hay, Ferrier work and insurance. By making a tax-deductible donation within the month of May, YOU CAN directly contribute to helping those struggling with various forms of hurt and recovery while keeping our horses healthy for the work they perform at Changing Gaits.
We hope you will review our list of services and consider how they can help you and your family, a friend, or a neighbor. Our client satisfaction rate is 100% and our motto is: No one goes unserved. We hope you will contact us and allow our staff and horses to bring you or a loved one a newfound fulfillment in life and a promise for a better tomorrow!
With gratitude, and I hope to see you at the ranch in 2022!
Can we count on you to donate to our important cause? Do you know of a friend, family member, or business owner who has the heart and monetary means to help? If you do, please pass this important letter on to them as well. All levels of donations are greatly appreciated. If you are interested in donating through estate planning, inheritance or legacy gifts, please contact Guy Kaufman directly at 1 (320) 438-4001.
Changing Gaits, Inc. is depending on your assistance and generosity. Please donate online or fill out and return the PDF form from the link below to pledge your support.
Regards,
Nile “Guy” Kaufman
Founder and Executive Director, Changing Gaits, Inc.
OUR SERVICES
We serve people of all ages. We offer recreational trail rides as part of your therapy session.
Through our equine sessions and rides, we can help people with: Drug and Alcohol Recovery, Suicide Prevention, Mental or Physical Trauma, Anxiety /or Depression, Autism, PTSD, Family Issues, Limb Loss, Paralysis, or Disabilities, and Group Sessions for Business Team Building Initiatives. We also host a separate men’s Sobriety Living Program.
In all that we do, we are committed to excellence!
OUR MAY 2022 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
We Prayerfully Ask for your Support!
Thank you for your Support!
OUR MISSION
Changing Gaits is a faith-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that partners with horses
for equine therapy with a healing bond to educate, mentor, empower behavioral changes, and enhance life skills for all age groups with mental, physical, and emotional disabilities.
A STORY OF LOVE, HOPE, AND CHANGE
Changing Gaits is always moving forward.
Living in God's Shadow and in His image. Amen.
HOW TO HELP OUR HORSES
JOIN OUR SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
Help Us Feed And Care For Our 35+ Horses. Your generous support helps continue our dedicated daily care of feeding, grooming, housing, and veterinary costs to keep our horses safe, healthy, and happy.
Please select your sponsorship donation level. Paypal and credit cards are accepted for one-time and monthly donations. We sincerely thank you for your support and contribution!
Sponsor Perks:
Changing Gaits t-shirt, and one 1-hour horseback ride for monthly sponsorship
Sponsor Perks:
Changing Gaits baseball hat, coffee mug, and one 1-hour horseback ride for monthly sponsorship
Sponsor Perks:
Changing Gaits t-shirt, baseball hat, coffee mug, and one 1-hour horseback ride for monthly sponsorship
Please email or call us directly to discuss our Business and Sponsorship Opportunities and Perks, or to discuss tax-wise giving options including incentives for taxpayers available through the 2020 CARES Act. Thank you so much!
We help people. Our horses help people heal and change their lives. At Changing Gaits we recognize and understand the value and impact horses have on us all- the help us with self-esteem, self-empowerment, self-awareness, self-control, and most importantly horses give us happiness.
“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man”
-Winston Churchill
WE LOVE SERVING OUR GREATEST HEROES, OUR VETERANS!
At Changing Gaits, our equine assisted programs help veterans find peace, hope, and an improved lifestyle. Call to schedule an appointment at 320-438-4001. We're here to help!
If you or one of your fellow veterans need help, we hope to see you at the ranch. Here are a few of the things we can help with:
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Drug and Alcohol Recovery
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Suicide Prevention
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PTSD Symptoms
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Mental or Physical Trauma
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Traumatic Brain Injuries
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Anxiety/Depression
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Limb loss, Disabilities, and Paralysis
Did you know that Changing Gaits has a new state-of-the-art lift that can take someone from a wheelchair, into a saddle, to riding a horse?! This new service is ideal for our veterans. Once experienced, our clients are seeing heightened awareness and hope in their lives!
THE CHANGING GAITS MOVEMENT
ABOUT US
ABOUT US
Founder &
Executive Director
Guy Kaufman
Nile “Guy” Kaufman is a Certified Equine Specialist through OK Coral, the Lead Trail Guide and a Public Speaker. He has been in recovery and free from addiction for 20 + years. He has extensive experience in relapse prevention with addiction. Guy enjoys working with adults with disabilities, kids with special needs, and mentoring troubled youth.
Program Director
George Will
After learning the hard way what doesn’t work in life, George learned how to succeed. He loves teaching and working alongside staff. George has a natural knack in helping residents stay focused on their successful sobriety. He is happily married to Betty for 20+ years and lives in Ogilvie, Minnesota.
Licensed Alcohol
& Drug Counselor
Cheryl Shanahan
Cheryl is certified in Equine Assisted Therapy and has worked in the field of addiction since 1980. She has experience in prevention, relapse, and dual diagnoses and works directly with adults, children, and families together.
Licensed Alcohol
& Drug Counselor
Kelly Anderson
As an LADC, Kelly completes chemical use assessments and mental health assessments with residents to establish a professional recommendation. She assists in identifying problem areas while providing resources, individual mental health sessions, and referrals to prevent further issues with returning to chemical use.
Executive Assistant
Donna Larson
Donna has been with us for 5 years. She enjoys keeping Guy and CGI organized while assisting the sober house residents with anything they need in administration. Donna grew up on a farm so her love for animals as well as her love for Jesus is a perfect fit.
House Managers/ Chaplin’s
Pastor Jon and Esther
Rev. Jon Van Rider is an ordained Pastor and retired Police Captain who worked with the Drug Enforcement Agency in Miami, Florida in the 80’s and 90’s.
Jon’s been a Pastor/ Missionary for 55 years and along with his wife Esther have worked in various recovery fields. They bring a level of expertise is Biblical training to those in recovery, as well as institute biblical studies, behavioral modification, financial planning and career seeking plans.
Marketing Coordinator
Sherry Ostertag
Sherry has always had a deep passion for animals and the great outdoors. It was a life long dream to have her own horse to explore the trails with. That dream finally became a reality when she met her mare Maggie. Now she enjoys spending her free time at the ranch helping others experience the joy of horses.
Peer Recovery
Support Specialist
Jason Sims
As a Certified Equine Specialist, Jason works with a wide variety of clients looking to heal including sober living clients, both youth or adults, suffering from substance use disorder.
Jason provides a new outlook in life for critical issues while working through Minnesota's legal system. Jason is extremely grateful for his bride, Sarah and his two boys, Jansen and Jayden.
Barn Manager - Position Open
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CHANGING GAITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nile "Guy" Kaufman
Founder / Executive Director
changinggaitsinc@gmail.com | 651-324-8299
Wendy S. Hazzard
President / CGI Grant Writer
wen.ven@gmail.com
Tim Mehner
Vice President / Independent Contractor
timmehner@gmail.com
Nina McDowell
Treasurer / Community Living Options -
Direct Support Professional
nmcdow80@gmail.com
Donna Larson
Executive Assistant / Secretary
donnalarson1958@gmail.com
Mary Pelz
Officer / Bridge Outreach
Don Theisen
Officer / Director - Washington City Public Works
Pat Arneson
Officer / CGI Volunteer
Cheryl Shanahan
LADC / Changing Gaits Lead Counselor
Kieve Kavanaugh
Officer / CGI Grant Writer
Lori Koester
Grant Management Specialist / CGI Grant Writer
