Page 8 - Martin Downs Bulletin - October '21

Page 8, Martin Downs

nonprofIt news

Horses Help Military Vets The mission of the nonprofit

Recover From Physical And is to connect veterans who
struggle with physical and
Emotional Trauma emotional (PTSD) trauma
with horses that help the
By Jackie Holfelder military heroes relearn how to
The credo of Horses and Heroes of Southeast Florida is build successful inter-human
Camaraderie, Connection, Collaboration and Community. connections.
The all-volunteer
or ga ni za ti on only uses
professionals to conduct its
counseling.
Marie Ferri, LMHC, an
accomplished equestrian and
licensed mental health therapist,
teams up with Karen Woodbury,
a certified Equine Specialist
and owner of three horses, to
bring the eight-week program Board member/volunteer Marci Meyerowich, Horses and Heroes Chief Executive Frank
to veterans. Libutti, volunteer Mark Woodbury and Veterans Advocate/Events Coordinator Tom Brown
Woodbury says that the
majority of them have no experience with horses. “Our status to be formalized, most of its outreach to date has
program is on the ground,” she says. “During the first been word-of-mouth, with Veterans Advocate/Events
meetings, participants learn to observe horses to safely Coordinator Tom Brown scheduling and supporting
build an appreciation for the human/horse relationship. presentations to interested groups.
The innate trait of horses as herd animals correlates The need for its services is great, as more and more
Certified Equine Specialist Karen Woodbury and Jeanie beautifully with the bond of brotherhood shared by stories about the difficulties faced by so many returning
Libutti with Bailey, one of the horses in the program service members.” heroes become more openly discussed.
Marci Meyerowich, a board member/volunteer at
As retired Marine Corps Lieutenant General and chief
Horses and Heroes, says, “Learning to build bonds executive of Horses and Heroes of Southeast Florida
and relationships with horses leads to being able to be
Frank Libutti says, “We have a great team, an honorable
Honoring from page 7
comfortable doing the same with people.” mission, and veterans who need our support. Connecting
relationships with donors. She initiated the first The program has already been tested successfully with horses with our heroes creates a healing environment.”
Employee Giving Campaign in more than a decade this several veterans who continue to maintain the progress For more information, contact Frank Libutti at (256)
summer, which resulted in doubling the organization’s they’ve made after finishing the sessions. 529-7642 or libuttifrank@gmail.com.
monthly sustaining donors. Since Horses and Heroes is waiting for its 501(c)(3) Photos by Jackie Holfelder
Haughton first experienced the power of generosity
after a 10-day stay at a hospitality house when her newborn
niece was a patient in the neonatal intensive care unit
(NICU). Today, she is inspired to work closely with donors
to help them meet their philanthropic goals because she
understands and believes in the healing power of generosity.
A Florida native, Haughton holds a Bachelor
of Business Administration from Florida Atlantic
University. Earlier this year, she earned the Certified
Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation by CFRE
International, an organization dedicated to setting global
standards in philanthropy. She also holds a professional
certification in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge fundraising
software. Haughton is currently a board member of the
Martin County Estate Planning Council and is a member
of both the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Horses and Heroes Chief Executive Frank Libutti, Veterans Certified Equine Specialist Karen Woodbury, Jeanie Libutti
Treasure Coast and Charitable Gift Planners of America. Advocate/Events Coordinator Tom Brown, Jeanie Libutti and Denise Brown with Bailey, one of the horses in the
“Our entire team is extraordinarily proud of Ashley and Denise Brown program
and the passion and innovation that she brings to
her work,” said Vice President of Philanthropy and
Administrative Operations Murray Fournie, M.Ed.,
CFRE, FAHP. “This prestigious accolade reflects
Ashley’s professionalism and her commitment
to philanthropy’s role in supporting exceptional,
quality hospice care and grief support services in our
community.” NoN-Toxic cancer immunotherapy
To learn more about the 40 Under 40 program and
each of this year’s recipients, visit https://www.ahp.org/
member-center/awards-and-scholarships/40-under-40.
The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) Available NoW
is an international professional organization dedicated
exclusively to development professionals who encourage Safe and Effective!
charity in health care organizations. AHP’s 4,500
members represent more than 2,200 health care facilities
around the world. They collectively raise more than $11 This is the Original Immunotherapy that
billion each year for community health services.
Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation is a nonprofit, balances and optimizes your immune system to
community-based organization that raises funds to fight almost any type of cancer.
support hospice and grief support programs for patients
and families in Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee
counties. Since 1982, Treasure Coast Hospice has Hundreds of successes over the years.
provided access to compassionate, caring, expert
and professional hospice, and grief support services Continuously available since 1977
to patients and families at the end of life. Thanks to
the support of generous donors, the Treasure Coast in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island
Hospice Foundation can fund indigent hospice care,
a pediatric hospice program, music therapy, and
comprehensive grief support programs, including See our website for more info:
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