QUALITY OF LIFE SPOTLIGHT: CHANGING GAITS | NEWS
We at Changing Gaits are overwhelming grateful for our newly updated service with state-of-the-art equipment that is changing lives for those with paralysis. For where He leads us we will follow. This article from The Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation is a magnificent acknowledgment of the lives powerfully impacted by our mission of work.
God Bless and thank you so much!
A STORY OF LOVE, HOPE, AND CHANGE
Changing Gaits is always moving forward.
Living in God's Shadow and in His image. Amen.
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.
Changing Gaits has big news! Equine Therapy is now available for those with paralysis!
To book a ride and find out more, please call our office at 320-438-4001
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.
WHY HORSE THERAPY?
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:
-
Drug and Alcohol Recovery
-
Suicide Prevention
-
PTSD Symptoms
-
Mental or Physical Trauma
-
Traumatic Brain Injuries
-
Anxiety/Depression
-
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.
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 Siems
As a Certified Equine Specialist and Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Jason has the opportunity to work with our sober living clients and those looking to heal through equine therapy. He has been blessed sober since 2009 by working the 12 steps and the help of his late sponsor, Mike Walsh. Jason puts his recovery first in everything he does in life. He is a PTSD Survivor-life and death situation while working at a Minnesota Prison.
Jason is extremely grateful for his beautiful bride-Sarah, his two boys-Jansen and Jayden. He loves to fish and hunt in his free time while giving credit to his one and only savior, Jesus Christ.
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
