A STORY OF LOVE, HOPE, AND CHANGE
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.
“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man”
-Winston Churchill
Click here to learn more about our May 2021 Capital Campaign
and how your donation can help. Thank you for your support!
JOIN OUR SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
HOW TO HELP OUR HORSES
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!
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
Office Coordinator
Donna Larson
Donna has been our Office Coordinator 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.
Maintenance Man
Robert Siercks
Finding Changing Gaits... I've been a little lost most of my life. And have always done things my own way - Well it don't work!..
I've believed in God but struggled with the Jesus thing...until he brought me to Changing Gaits :) Through the power of prayer. My body + mind has been healing, and able to do my God given talent in construction and mechanics to help maintain the facility here at Changing Gaits... Thank you Jesus.
CHANGING GAITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nile Guy Kaufman
Founder / Executive Director
changinggaitsinc@gmail.com
Wendy S. Hazzard
Board President
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
Mary Pelz
Officer / Bridge Outreach
Don Theisen
Officer / Director - Washington City Public Works
Cheryl Shanahan
Officer / Secretary / Changing Gaits Lead Counselor
