The Brainerd Elks Lodge has designated two projects to be recipients of our ENF Beacon Grant this year. We have highlight one this month (March) and the other last month (Feb.) in the Elkorama.

          This time we will highlight the Mounted Eagles program of Brainerd. We presented a check for $2000 to the Mounted Eagles Program. Their mission; Mounted Eagles enhances the lives of program participants, volunteers and the community by providing a safe and enjoyable environment where individuals with special needs benefit from therapeutic, developmental and educational equine-assisted activities.

A number of Elks made a visit to the new Mounted Eagles Location on Greenwood Street to present the check for $2000 from the ENF Beacon Grant.

         We got a tour of the new facility and presented a check to Aggie Stroot, the organizations treasurer. The money will be used to support the riders and the horses that make the program possible.

Shelly Satre is learning about the Equicizers. These help riders build core strength and practice their balance, all of which are needed to properly ride a real horse.  They have two of these units for training riders on at the facility in south Brainerd. Standing in front of the facility are Dick Lyscio and Dan Graven

          Since starting in 1992 with one horse and one rider, one instructor and three volunteers, Mounted Eagles now has the capability to provide services for up to 50 riders per week with five horses, two PATH International certified instructors and 25+ volunteers. Their riders range from 3 to 65 years of age with varied diagnoses including but not limited to: mild to severe Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Retardation, Learning Disabilities, MS,  seizure disorders, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other disorders resulting from exposure to drug and/or physical abuse. Their staff includes one executive director, two paid instructors and many volunteers. Mounted Eagles currently offer lessons year round January through December.

Boone posses for his Elkorama picture above. Sam is taking a rider around the indoor arena below. The heated indoor riding arena makes it possible for this program to operate year round. Many other similar programs are seasonal because of that limitation.

They would be pleased  to tell you more about program services as well as their needs. They are a 501(c) (3) organization.  Please check out their website;  www.MountedEagles.org.