Current news and events

Pitching in for Pegasus
By Thursday, 7/31/14
 

You know him, you love him, and now he needs your help.

Earlier this year Pegasus, our gentle 22-year old Appendix Quarter Horse gelding, was diagnosed with glaucoma in his left eye. Through regular visits with our veterinarian and medical management we treated the eye 2-3 times a day with medications for relief and, hopefully, reversal. Unfortunately, after a visit to the Equine Opthalmologist, we have learned that the eye is shutting down and there is no hope for vision. Worse than that is that now the same thing is happening in his right eye.

Here's the good news:
Dr. Schorling, with The Eye Clinic for Animals, has agreed to perform laser surgery on the right eye to aid in controlling the glaucoma. Although there is no guarantee that this procedure will restore his vision permanently, there is hope that it could. This type of laser surgery is performed on humans and dogs regularly; this will be the first equine case here on the west coast of the United States.

Can you help?
We are looking to raise $4,000 by next Thursday, 7/31 for the surgery Pegasus requires – the surgery that is scheduled that day. Whereas some will argue that it is less expensive to buy a new horse, we believe Pegasus has served the community faithfully and we hope that same community will now support him in his hour of need. Whether it be $10 or $1,000, your donation will make a difference.  Without this surgery his career, and his life, will prematurely end.

On July 27th Pegasus will celebrate his fifth year of being with his Ivey Ranch family. Pegasus has devotedly served children and adults with special needs – including Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and those who are blind, deaf, or live with paralysis. Because Pegasus is a slightly bigger horse, he has also assisted with our Horses for Heroes program – a program that provides equine assisted therapy to Veterans and active-duty military personnel.

He has provided love, lessons, and comfort to over 250 individuals – more than 400 lessons and therapy sessions.
We are now looking for 250-400 people to donate $10-$20 to help him continue his life and his calling.

Please take a moment: You can donate through PayPal and our website – you can call with Visa, MC, or Discover – you can drop a check in the mail with "Pegasus" in the memo section, or you can drop by with an envelope of cash. But please help – we're hoping to give him the chance he deserves.

Ivey Ranch is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization. All Donations are Tax Deductable

Upcoming educational opportunities at Ivey Ranch Park Equestrian Center:
PATH Registered Instructor On-Site Workshop & Certification August 29-September 1, 2014. Registration deadline: July 25, 2014

Snore 'n' Chore – Come spend the night with the horses at Ivey!

- Community garden plots available, call office for info
- Become a volunteer at Ivey Ranch!
- Volunteer Orientation Dates for 2014: September 13, October 25
- Summer Horse Camp enrollment has started!

Our Mission:
Ivey Ranch Park is dedicated to encourage the interaction of disabled and able bodied children, of all ages, by providing educational and recreational activities. Since 1983 we have served children and adults with disabilities but will not exclude the able bodied, since integration, inclusion and interaction are important components of our program. Serving over 200 individuals a month, our essential goals are:

• Community integration and participation
• Personal choice
• Self-respect and respect for others
• Competence and self reliance

Currently over two thirds of our children here at the Ivey Ranch Child Development Center have moderate to severe disabilities which include behavioral disorders, genetic disorders, and disabilities caused by accident or trauma. School age children come for after school, summer and off-track care. The Center also operates a preschool, in-home respite services, and summer camp.