The Statement of Program for Connected Hearts @ Tsavorite Rescue and Rehoming:
MISSION STATEMENT
Rationale: April Bagdonas, owner of a local ranch* on Howard Flats, is a recognized advocate for horses and an established horsewoman known for her love and dedication to rescuing horses. Being somewhat a local hero, she is well known for organizing the ten-day search for the white Arabian gelding lost in the local hills, fully tacked with no food and water.
[Check out these articles if you want to know or remember the history of this special fella:
https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/searching-for-silver-chelan-community-on-the-lookout-for-missing-horse/article_2b3a98a6-2f67-11eb-8cf4-4b50f65eba23.html
https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/after-10-days-chelan-s-missing-horse-silver-is-back-home/article_833e7d3c-34fe-11eb-911f-dba544786370.html
https://netposse.com/news.asp?id=4047
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2109557142533/searching-for-silver-chelan-community-on-the-lookout-for-missing-horse]
Aly Stratton, founder and co-director of Connected Hearts Equine Healing, has provided equine facilitated mental health service along with her co-therapists, her very special herd of equines, to kids, teens and adults coping with PTSD and persistent and recurring bouts of anxiety for well over a decade on the Olympic Peninsula. Both women are seasoned horsewomen and are passionate about the care and wellbeing of equines and embrace the special gifts horses bring to their humans. In addition, Aly is a retired Special Education Teacher with a targeted interest in dissonate mental health, a certified PATH therapeutic riding instructor and an EFMA trained Equine Fascinated Mental Health Facilitator. She has owned horses for over 40 years and has worked with foster children, veterans, Cancer survivors, abused and battered women, children, and horses. Forming a unique and magical partnership, April and Aly are dedicated to rescuing horses and embracing their special gifts to become co-therapists able to serve clientele here in the Chelan area wishing to find a unique path to improved mental health. While these horses are with us, not only will they become co-facilitators in equine healing, but they will be worked with to establish all the necessary skills to be safely rehomed, as perhaps a 4H project, a trail horse, a performance horse, or having other sets of equine skills depending on the wishes of those adopting them. Our rehoming protocol will include riding lessons with the intended adoptee, free home consultation to establish proper nutrient and safety conditions for the horse’s new home, and other support services for both the horse and family adopting the horse. The cost of adoption will be reasonable and will help provide a stream of income necessary to maintain services for the animals rescued. Cost for the equine healing sessions will continue to be by donation. (Typical cost for these sessions can commonly range from $75 to $250 per session)
Connected Hearts will continue to function under the same nonprofit umbrella as it has in the past and Tsavorite will be incorporated into the existing organization.
*Tsavorite, why April has named her ranch after this rare green gemstone? It is restorative and freeing,
new strength in difficult phases of life. [Gienger,44] From Kenya, this gem-grade Garnet is the most energetically
focused of the Grossular varieties. It is a stone of wealth in all its positive aspects–financial, creative, emotional,
artistic and even physical health. Attuned to the pure Green ray, Tsavorite rivals emerald in its power and beauty. It can open and cleanse the Heart Chakra, increasing zest and vitality, and inducing feelings of charity and benevolence. Tsavorite can transmit its qualities through the eyes of anyone who sees it, so wearing it in the workplace uplifts everyone who comes in contact. [Simmons, 166]
