WLM | people
donates her time to giving the
horses acupuncture once a month.
They are given an annual physical
& dental examination. The program
is looking for a massage therapist
to work on their horses as well.
Their horses are fed quality feed
(Purina Senior) twice a day, joint
and ulcer supplements and hay or
pasture. “Our horses are turned
out as much as possible to eliminate
soreness and boredom,” CHAPS
staff say. “We follow the strict
guidelines of PATH International
for horse usage and care.”
The CHAPS facility, a six stall barn, indoor & outdoor
arena, five small paddocks and three pastures, is located
five miles east of Sheridan on Highway 14, heading
towards Ucross. “This facility is great, but it is not
usable year-round,” says CHAPS staff. “The arena is
not heated, making it very difficult to work in the bitter
cold of winter. Therefore, we must close from midNovember to the first of March each year. This resting
period is great for the horses, but leaves us with no
income for 3.5 months, which can be difficult. Our goal
is to start a capital campaign in the near future to build
a facility that will ensure year-round activity.”
In 2016, CHAPS’ goal is to include the Volunteers of
America (VOA) to their current client list. “They have
adults, youth and veterans in their substance abuse
programs that they wish to have participate in the EFP
program,” CHAPS staff report. “We are delighted and
excited at the prospect of helping more people next year.”
A few of CHAPS bigger donors include: LaRue
Foundation, Perkins Foundation, Kelly Schriebies
Memorial Foundation, Marna Khuene Foundation,
Wyoming Community Foundation, The WYO Rodeo
Gold Buckle Club, The Napier Foundation, The Kaul
Foundation, The Seidler Foundation, The Woodson
Foundation, The Welch Foundation, Gwillim Family
Fund, Kibbee Foundation, Scott Foundation, Twin
M Designs, Kim Love, Jim Kerr, Terri Luplow, Steve
Kraft and Sherry Buck. All of these have either
donated money or hay to the program. Horse sponsors
include Lacie Schwend, Anita Pinkham, Cloud Peak
Energy, Colts Unlimited/Charlie & Hillary Carrel and
Kennady Myers. WLM
40
Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine | Autumn & Holiday 2015
Meet the staff:
Kristen Marcus, Executive Director, grew up in Ten
Sleep on a small ranch. She pursued an A.S. degree
in Equine Studies at Central Wyoming College, then
went on to receive a B.S. in Animal Science, Masters
of Ag in Agriculture and a Masters of Science in Ag
Communications from Oklahoma State University. Kristen
is a certified riding instructor with American Riding
Instructors Association (ARIA), and has owned/raised
horses for over 20 years. This is Kristen’s first year with
CHAPS.
Dr. Jessica Ricchio, PATH International certified
instructor in TR and ESMHL, has a B.S. in Animal &
Veterinary Science from West Virginia University, and a
Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Cleveland Chiropractic
College in Overland Park, KS. She has been an instructor
with CHAPS for the last eight years. She works mostly
with the VAMC veterans, but has a few TR clients and a
group from NSI as well.
Christina Pescatore, PATH International certified
instructor in TR and ESMHL, has a B.S. in Parks &
Recreation Administration from Eastern Kentucky
University. She spent 11 years at Central Kentucky Riding
for Hope, a PATH International Riding Center. Christina
works with TR clients, groups from Ft. MacKenzie High
School, NSI and local veterans. This is Christina’s first year
with CHAPS.
Lynn Gordon is the program’s licensed counselor. She
has been working in the Sheridan area for 30+ years and
is fully invested in the EFP program. Working primarily
with the VAMC veterans, Lynn has seen some amazing
changes in people working with their horses. Lynn has
been with CHAPS for the last two years.
Gina Marchese is the barn manager. She is pursuing a
degree in Animal Science while working at CHAPS. Gina is
in charge of all equine care, barn, equipment and facility
repair. With help from volunteers, she feeds all ten horses
every day. She also coordinates all farrier, veterinary and
acupuncture appointments as well as barn/facility cleanup/repair ^\