August 2017 – Nature's Edge Therapy Center

Community invited to Nature’s Edge on Sept. 9 to meet therapy horse won by Facebook votes

Nature’s Edge Therapy Center is hosting an Open House Celebration on Saturday, September 9, as a thank you to the community for their votes which helped to win Chloe, a Gypsy Vanner mare, during the LexLin Ranch “Gypsy Gift Horse” Facebook voting contest held earlier this year from April-June. The Open House Celebration will be held from Noon-3 p.m. at the Nature’s Edge ranch, 2523 14 ¾ Ave., Rice Lake. The community is cordially invited to meet Chloe “The Pale-Faced Mare” and to enjoy a complimentary lunch of pulled pork sandwiches, chips, Rootbeer and dessert. Adam Hutton of WJMC will be MC for the event. Presentations are scheduled during the afternoon, including Keith Dawson representing Thrivent Financial, a major sponsor of the event; Josy Wood, horse trainer for Nature’s Edge, who will demonstrate in the arena her training approach to horse handling; and Dr. Rebecca Blotz of Chetek Veterinary Clinic.
Chloe, the Gypsy Vanner horse that was donated to Nature’s Edge by LexLin Gypsy Ranch, was won with 11,790 Facebook votes. Voters cast votes via Facebook or by email daily during the 60-day voting period. The Gypsy Vanner horse, because of its engaging temperament, its strength, intelligence and movement, is ideal for therapy. Becky Payne, director of Nature’s Edge, and Barb Flouro, member of the Board of Directors of Nature’s Edge, received Chloe at the Passing of the Lead Ceremony at LexLin Ranch in Rockwood, TN, on July 21. Chloe will be presented to the community at the Open House with stablemate, Simba, also a Gypsy Vanner purchased from LexLin in January.
The Open House Celebration is sponsored free of charge to the community. Sponsors for the event include LexLin Gypsy Ranch, Thrivent Financial, Rice Lake Chronotype, WJMC, Cookin’ Up A Storm, Schilling Company, Reds in Chetek, Barron Bakery, Main Street Café, Brion’s Smokehouse Deli, Culligan of Rice Lake, Frito Lay and Village Hearth. Donations to Nature’s Edge will be accepted. For more information, call Nature’s Edge at 715-859-6670 or visit their website at naturesedgetherapycenter.org.

Come meet our new Gypsy Vanner!

animal assisted therapy, hippotherapy admin

We recently welcomed the newest addition to our team! Thanks to everyone who shared and voted for Nature’s Edge through LexLin’s Gypsy Gift program we were able to add a new therapy horse to our program.
LexLin has donated 45 horses to PATH premiere accredited centers across the US since 2009. This year, over 80 centers were nominated. To win a Gypsy Gift Horse, Nature’s Edge competed in a Facebook contest where we had to get daily votes to stay in the top 20 centers. With all the wonderful support we ended the contest in 13th place with 11,790 votes!
Becky, our founder, director, and SLP, and her daughter Courtney had the opportunity to fly to Tennessee to pick which horse would join the Nature’s Edge team. While there were many great choices, Chloe caught their eye with her sweet disposition and friendly nature.
On July 22nd Becky and Barb, a board member, went back to Tennessee to attend the Passing of the Lead ceremony where Chloe officially became part of Nature’s Edge. After the ceremony Chloe started her journey home where she was reunited with her friend Simba. Simba came to us from LexLin back in January and was happy to have his buddy back. He’s been a great protector when one of the other horses tries to bully Chloe.
Gypsy Vanners are very well suited for therapy horses because of their build, temperament, size, and love for people. At Nature’s Edge we carefully choose our horses for their temperament and the type of movement they produce. All are specifically trained for their unique role within therapy sessions and are guided by professional horse handlers, which optimizes safety and effectiveness. The horse through Hippotherapy (only completed by a trained Speech, Occupational or Physical Therapist) impacts a patient’s speech, core movements and balance, as well as their sensory system. The Gypsies fit these requirements wonderfully.
On September 9 Nature’s Edge would like to welcome everyone to an Open House to meet our new Gypsy Vanner! The event runs from 12-3pm at Nature’s Edge. We will have lunch and refreshments available: pulled pork sandwiches, chips, dessert, and root beer, along with presentations from Keith Dawson of Thrivent Financial (who are ever so kindly sponsoring the event), Josy Wood our horse trainer, and Dr. Rebecca Blotz of Chetek Vet Clinic.
You can view our open house flier here!
We hope to see you there!