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Frequently Asked Questions Q. Are you a 501(3)(c) organization? A. Our 501(c)(3) is pending. Many of you have shared with us the Federal 501(c)(3) status is not important to you. Most people believe donations made from the heart, expecting no personal or financial gain in return, are the truest form of charity. We also offer advertising and webpage design which is tax deductible. We don't just outstretch our hands looking for financial charity and miracles. Our volunteers work very hard for every dollar we receive. After all, the misconception about nonprofits is they remain destined to ask for charity, when the true concept of nonprofits is that they are one day able to become self sufficient. Q. If you are not yet recognized as a 501(3)(c), how can I deduct my contributions from my taxes? A. Some businesses may prefer to advertise in our "Advertisers" section rather than making a monetary contribution. Advertising is a tax deductible expense. Our advertising fees are exceptionally reasonable, and inclusion on our pages will show your support for the children as well as driving new clients and prospective customers to your business. Advertisements are paid annually. We will contact you when the ad is set to renew. Please see our "Advertiser's Page" for rates. Q: What will my donation provide? A: Your donation can transform the life of a child who faces a future filled with uncertainty. Donations help provide safe saddlery and tack, lead ropes, helmets, and knee pads. Donations also provide sanitizing supplies for cleaning their equine companion's water and feed pails, disinfecting stalls and restrooms, assisting with bathing of their horses, providing clean horse blankets, treats for their equine friends, and much more. Q: Where do you get your horses? A: We receive all our horses from homes that can no longer manage the financial and time consuming responsibility of maintaining them ir no longer have room for them. None of our horses are bought commercially. Q: Do you work with individual children or as a group? A: We generally work with small groups of five (5) children in order to provide the most individualized attention; however, for children with disabilities the number in group could be less due to the necessity of more critical care. Q: How long are your sessions and what do you charge? A: Some facilities' programs only dedicate thirty (30) minutes per session with a child, usually for a ten (10) week program for an average of five (5) hours for the total program. We dedicate a full fifty (50) minutes per session for an eight (8) week program. We charge a small fee of $10 per session to help defray the costs of program materials, equipment and supplies. Q: What if a family cannot afford the tuition costs of your programs? A: We have a Scholarship Fund for families in crisis who cannot afford tuition. This fund subsidises tuition for those who demonstrate a financial hardship. You can make a donation into our existing general Scholarship Fund or we can create a scholarship fund in your name or in someone's memory. Please contact us and your wishes will be carried out as you specify. Q: Who benefits from your programs? A: According to the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) individuals with the following disabilities commonly participate in and benefit from equine therapy and activities. Muscular Dystrophy Cerebral Palsy Visual Impairment Down Syndrome Mental Retardation Autism Multiple Sclerosis Spina Bifida Emotional Disabilities Brain Injuries Spinal Cord Injuries Amputations Learning Disabilities Attention Deficit Disorder Deafness Cardiovascular accident/Stroke Q: How are you different from other NARHA programs? A: At ENCTRC we focus on the total child, mind, body, and spirit. We do this through Equine Facilitated Learning and Equine Assisted Therapies. Our programs take what NAHRA is doing a step further, to provide a resource for ALL children, including children with disabilities. Our programs also teach children values through their interactions with companion horses such as: Q: What organized youth groups are your services available to? A: Examples are Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, 4-H Clubs, church youth groups, Primary, Middle, High School, and College student clubs and countless other groups. Q: How do you determine who is allowed to participate? A: With the exception of time, available space, and financial constraints on our programs and services, no child is turned away; however, if rules (such as the treatment of horses) are not followed consistently, participants are temporarily suspended from activities. Although we provide programs and services for children, we value our horses and mistreatment of our companion horses will not be tolerated. Yes, we accept difficult children. Q: What are some of the responsibilities of the participants in your programs? A: Participants are given the opportunity to learn care and responsibility for companion horses. Our participants clean and disinfect stalls, sanitize water and feed containers, and feed and reward companion horses with treats. Children help bathe and groom companion horses, they lead, walk and learn basic fundamentals of good horsemanship. Our children learn horseback riding and earn the privilege to compete for placement in horse shows, parades, and special events, and other equine activities. Q: How well do children interact with horses? A: Children with Autism and Attention Deficit Disorder often struggle to communicate, but put them with horses and watch what they can achieve! Therapy with horses has been around for ages, but we take the work of the North American Riding for the Handicapped (NAHRA) a step further to help children with anti-social behavior. Children with ADD will focus on a horse for long periods of time while grooming or leading the horse, when usually they cant concentrate long enough to do much of anything else. Autistic children who are withdrawn and living very much in their own world will begin to express themselves, often using new words or gestures they've never expressed before. Q: What is Equine Facilitated Learning (ELF)? A: Equine Facilitated Learning, or EFL, is a therapy where children learn about Themselves, other people, and interacting with the world. It's been clinically proven just being in the vicinity of horses changes our brainwave patterns. They have a calming effect which helps people eliminate becoming fixated on past or negative events - giving them truly positive experiences with the horse. EFL has proven to be particularly useful in children with Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and bipolar disorders, all of whom find it difficult to communicate. Through EFL, a child will interact with companion horses, other people, and will carry out instructions. (Franklin Levinson) Q: Do you also provide services for adults? A: While our programs are geared more toward children, we also provide programs and services to adults with physical and social limitations. There are many in our adult society who can also benefit from our services, such as those with physical disabilities, ADD/ADHD, Autism, and psychological and emotional disorders. EFL is not just for children. Q: What is the best way to contact ENCTRC? A: We may often be away from the phone caring for our horses or involved in sessions but we will respond to all voicemails left for us. You may also contact us using this We make every effort to respond to all calls within 24 hours. Q: How can I volunteer? A: Volunteers are needed! Please contact us ! Q: What if I want to make an "in kind" gift? A: Please contact us and we will gladly share where we purchase supplies and equipment. You can then contact the vendor directly and use your credit card or cash (no personal checks) to place funds on our account or to purchase gift cards. Q: How do I make a charitable donation to help these children? A: Make checks payable to: ENCTRC PO Box 4421 Greenville, NC 27836 Please choose the link below if you wish to use your credit card! The children thank you! The horses thank you! And our volunteers thank you! If your donation is for a memorial Scholarship Fund you wish to create, or a scholarship fund in your name or your businesses name, please be as specific as possible and provide contact information for yourself.
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