LifeStriders is a nonprofit organization that provides life-enhancing physical and

psychological experiences and services to individuals with specials needs. Life-

Striders offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to meeting the challeng-

es that many families with special needs face.

Therapeutic Riding

LifeStriders Therapeutic Riding Program incorporates elements of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Physical

Therapy, Occupational Therapy and other modalities in order to address the needs of each client. These

fun and interactive sessions focus on clients’ unique strengths in order to help them meet their individual

challenges. Children and adults with special needs can experience the beneficial physical and mental bene-

fits achieved through working with horses as partners in healing.

Youth Program

Aimed at youths ages 12-21, this program provides opportunities for community service, character build-

ing, drop-out prevention and violence prevention to at-risk youths in Milwaukee and Waukesha coun-

ties. Those involved in the Youth Program also develop interpersonal and occupational skills, as well as

receiving educational support, counseling and adult mentoring as needed.

Social Skills Program

These fun and interactive groups are designed for children ages 3 – 18 with challenges in the area of

social‑communication that affect the quality of their interpersonal relationships. The goals of participants

include increasing social awareness, understanding other peoples’ perspectives, and understanding the

impact of their own behavior on the impressions that other people form of them. It is a fun program for

kids to learn the skills they need in building social connections. LifeStriders social skills groups are held in

small group settings with individualized activities.

Counseling Program

Bilingual family support and counseling services for children, individuals or families. Educational

counseling and consulting services specializing in special education are also available.

LifeStriders Mission

T a b l e o f

C o n t e n t s

Horses for

Heroes

2

Veterans

Outcomes

2

Successes in

2012

3

The Best of

Who We Are

3

2013 Financials

Statement

4

2012 Financial

Statement

5

Board of

Directors

6

Programs and Services

LifeStriders Therapeutic Riding Center

A n n u a l R e p o r t 2 0 1 3 W w w . L i f e S t r i d e r s . o r g

P a g e 2

“LifeStriders gave

me a new sense of

hope and self

confidence. I’ve

risen to challenges

in ways I never

thought possible. ”

OIF Veteran with

Special Needs

Disabled Veterans

Building core strength

flexibility , trust and

relationships in one of

our classes.

Veterans Outcomes

Horses for Heroes

LifeStriders therapy staff

and volunteers have de-

veloped a highly special-

ized program for veter-

ans, free of charge. Inter-

action with horses makes

this therapy a remarkable

rehabilitative partnership

with many physical and

psychological benefits.

Horses have a long histo-

ry of helping in programs

aimed at rehabilitating

individuals suffering from

emotional, physical and

mental health wounds.

Soldiers face extreme

physical and emotional

conditions daily during

active duty. After return-

ing home, their life chang-

es dramatically which can

present difficulty adjusting

to experiences. Therapeu-

tic riding offers opportuni-

ties for new physical expe-

riences and a social outlet

fostering teamwork with

the horses and the Life-

Striders team. Teamwork,

social connections, com-

passion and understanding

of self and others are just

a few of the many benefits

this therapy offers to Vet-

erans.

LifeStriders makes it possi-

ble for these vets to experi-

ence the peacefulness and

relaxation of a trail ride

through uneven and rustic

terrain and can also choose

to do other activities such

as grooming the horses,

feeding and preparing horse

stalls and barn maintenance.

LifeStriders Horses for He-

roes Program a great fit for

many Veterans in southeast-

ern WI. *

for seeking therapeutic riding

services was for psychological

support ie, decreasing stress,

anxiety, depression and anger.

95% of participants rated their

symptoms in the “Very Severe”

range (score 9-10). After 8 weeks

in the program, 97% of partici-

pants reported “significant im-

provements” with scores ranging

in the area of moderately severe

In 2013 LifeStriders provided

over 200 sessions of therapeutic

riding to Veterans with special

needs. Diagnosis included Brain

or Spinal Cord Injury, Depres-

sion, Anxiety, PTSD, Substance

Abuse and other physical disabili-

ties.

98% of veteran participants re-

ported that their primary reason

(scores 4-6) or lower. After 8

weeks of participation, data re-

vealed significant decreases in

inappropriate behaviors and a

marked increase in positive, adap-

tive behaviors. Continued long

term support is critical to many

of our veterans and their families.

LifeStriders is honored to provide

free services to veterans!

100% of Veteran participants

required full scholarships in

order to

continue

therapeu-

tic riding .

Successes in 2013

P a g e 3

The Lives We’ve Touched

For many participants, LifeStriders

is their gym, their field, their play-

ground, their activity, their adven-

ture. It is a place for them to learn,

to socialize, to rise above their

challenges, to stand tall with

friends, to experience nature, to

feel compassion and to heal. They

thank us with their beautiful smiles

and spirits, as they bravely over-

come life challenges that most of us

will never know.

LifeStriders served...

An average of 95+ riders per

week

Over 30 veterans received thera-

peutic services at no cost in 2013

The Alzheimer's prevention and

intervention groups helped 12

seniors ride weekly and over 25

seniors /week enjoy farm and

horse related activities.

Over 3,900 therapeutic riding

lessons in 2013

3 full time and 6 part time thera-

peutic staff making it all possible.

LifeStriders gives 5 times the

number of lessons that it did 2

years ago.

50 elementary, middle school and

high school students participated

in social skills groups

75+ at-risk youth received ser-

vices through various programs

Megan riding

Marky during a

nature based

sensory activity.

The Best of Who We Are Chrystal S.—Program Manager

Jesus G– Barn Manager

Jenny S– Occupational Therapist

Mary R– Cert. Thera/Riding Inst.

Linda L.– RN Cert. Thera/Riding

Mike S.—Psychotherapist

Luis Lizardi– LifeStrider of the year

Veronica S– Executive Director

Nettie S.-Cert. Thera/Riding Inst.

Amber O.—Prog Coord./ Cert.

Thera/Riding Instructor

Linda loves

working in

nature, learn-

ing about

horses and

staying active.

Presidential Service

award winner Youth

Volunteer, Hrystian

helping Mark on a trail

walk.

LifeStriders recognizes two individuals every year (one participant and one volunteer), who have performed

at the highest level. Erin Brunner and Luis Lizardi.-Thank you both for your outstanding courage, commit-

ment, and generosity.

P a g e 4

2013 Statement of Financial Activity

P a g e 5

2012 Statement of Financial Activity

Letter recognition and

sequencing included in

our literacy curriculum.

Fun learning!!

Veronica Sosa Conley, MS, LPC Execu-

tive Director

Veronica Sosa Conley, MS, LPC is a

bilingual school psychologist and coun-

selor and Co-founder of LifeStriders.

She achieved a Bachelor of Science

degree in Psychology and Master of

Science degree in School Psychology

and is a Licensed Professional Counse-

lor. She is also certified by the Profes-

sional Association of Therapeutic

Horsemanship, Int’l

Robert Conley, President

Robert Conley, MSPT holds a master’s

degree in Physical Therapy and is also

certified by the Professional Associa-

tion of Therapeutic Horsemanship,

Int’l as a therapeutic riding instructor.

Dixon Benz, Officer

Dixon W. Benz II is the Executive Vice

President & Chief Operating Officer

for Benz Oil. He is a graduate of Val-

paraiso University with a bachelor's

degree in political science with a minor

in psychology. Dixon also received his

MBA from the University of Wisconsin

-Milwaukee.

Robert Magnus, DVM, MBA, Officer

Robert Magnus is the CEO and

founder of Wisconsin Equine

Clinic & Hospital (WECH), a full

service referral hospital and am-

bulatory practice established in

1992.

Barbara Abair , Officer

Barb has degrees in Elementary

Education and Special Education,

Barb taught third grade in a paro-

chial school before leaving teach-

ing to raise three sons. As a

S11W29667 Summit Ave (Hwy 18)

Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188

www.lifestriders.org

Officers and Directors

Phone 262.565.6124

Fax 866.404.3105

Email striders@lifestriders.org