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Including horses into speech therapy sessions

Building a natural environment for children who have Autism by incorporating horses into their speech therapy sessions.

$1,605
pledged of$25,000 goal
20
0Days Left

Project Description

My name is Elizabeth Nielsen and I own and operate Tiny Voice Therapy Services, a private speech-language therapy clinic that specializes in children who are non-verbal, have a diagnosis of Autism, and use communication devices to communicate. Between myself and my 3 part time employees, we serve around 45 families with children with special needs in the following areas – Elburn, Sugar Grove, Dekalb, Sycamore, Waterman, Sandwich, Rockford, Mokena, Aurora, and Plainfield in Illinois.

My husband and I recently purchased a property with two houses, in which I converted the small house into my speech therapy clinic. It has been a wonderful transition from working out of one small room from our recent house to a 3 bedroom house with a full kitchen.

However, my dream for about 10 years now has been to incorporate horses into my therapy practice. I have had the pleasure of working at different therapy clinics that incorporate hippotherapy into their practice and have seen the benefits when the children are on and around the horses. Each child I served just excelled in that setting. With the move to the bigger property, I am finally able to achieve my dreams of incorporating hippotherapy into my own practice with my current caseload. Incorporating the horses will also attract other clients to the clinic as well, especially being near highly populated areas.

In order for this dream to come into fruition, I am in the process of purchasing a 60X100 building that will include an indoor riding arena and horse stalls. Along with the purchase of the building, I will be purchasing two horses for the therapy sessions, as well as equipment such as mounting blocks, riding equipment, riding helmets, and other various materials for therapy in the arena.

The total cost of this project is projected around $90,000. With this grant money, I will be able to apply the money to various items needed for the hippotherapy aspect of my clinic to be successful. This grant will allow me to expand my practice to other therapy disciplines as well - including occupational and physical therapists; and being able to provide to more families in the Northwest Illinois area.

I appreciate your consideration for funding my campaign and so do all of my clients and their families. Nothing provides me more happiness than seeing the happiness on my client's faces when they are exposed to animal therapy. 

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

How will my donation be used? 

- Your donation will help cover the costs of equipment to provide therapy incorporating horses. This includes - mounting blocks, saddles, helmets, horses, and arena. 

 

 

 

05/13/2021
Monetary Contribution
$50
John and Rachel Stanovich
11/11/2020
Monetary Contribution
$25
Jessie Decker
11/09/2020
Free t shirt and top donor reward!
$100
Danny & Amy
11/02/2020
Monetary Contribution
$50
Nancy
11/02/2020
Free t shirt and top donor reward!
$100
Cindy Gustafson
05/31/2020
Monetary Contribution
$50
Valerie Myers
05/16/2020
Monetary Contribution
$50
Deanne Frieders
04/30/2020
Monetary Contribution
$10
Meredith bend
04/03/2020
Monetary Contribution
$75
Robin
03/17/2020
Free t shirt and top donor reward!
$100
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

13 Supporters
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250.00 USD
Name/Logo on donor poster

When you donate $250 or more, you're name or business name/logo will be place on our top donor poster that will be placed in the arena for all the clients to see. We appreciate all of your support! 

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0 Supporters
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About the Entrepreneur

Elburn, IL
Created 1 Campaign
Health + Science

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

13 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Name/Logo on donor poster

When you donate $250 or more, you're name or business name/logo will be place on our top donor poster that will be placed in the arena for all the clients to see. We appreciate all of your support! 

20 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward