Anyone who is familiar with BITS knows it is a wonderful place for many reasons.
Pauline Meridien started BITS in 2003 with two horses and a vision. Her imagination, dedication, hard work and perseverance has molded BITS into what it is today. Over 17 years horses have come and gone, but never forgotten. There have been hundreds of volunteers and clients who have found us, and all of them have been positively affected in some way. Whether it’s an autistic child who bonds with “their” special horse, a volunteer who finds a sense of purpose helping others, or a veteran with PTSD that discovered peace simply by being around the animals, BITS truly is a special place, but it would not be here were it not for Pauline.
After two years of trying, Pauline will be successfully retiring at the end of December (Her retirement dinner was actually held in 2018!). Very simply, there was no one who seemed up to the task of filling her shoes.
Something Pauline has always been fond of saying is, “You never know who will come up the driveway.” Earlier this year Jaryn Hall-Haines drove up. She learned about BITS and believed in how important our mission is. Soon, she discovered Pauline’s desire to retire. A bond was formed and for the past 4 months Pauline has been coaching Jaryn on how to take the reins and move BITS forward.
The staff and board of directors wish to thank Pauline for the tremendous work she has done these past 17 years. She is retiring at the end of this month for a well-deserved rest, and perhaps some travel when the pandemic restrictions are lifted.
Come January 1, 2021, Jaryn will officially take the helm as BITS’ executive director. We have enjoyed working with her these past months and welcome her enthusiasm as she takes charge! Welcome to the next chapter and new year!
Pauline Meridien started BITS in 2003 with two horses and a vision. Her imagination, dedication, hard work and perseverance has molded BITS into what it is today. Over 17 years horses have come and gone, but never forgotten. There have been hundreds of volunteers and clients who have found us, and all of them have been positively affected in some way. Whether it’s an autistic child who bonds with “their” special horse, a volunteer who finds a sense of purpose helping others, or a veteran with PTSD that discovered peace simply by being around the animals, BITS truly is a special place, but it would not be here were it not for Pauline.
After two years of trying, Pauline will be successfully retiring at the end of December (Her retirement dinner was actually held in 2018!). Very simply, there was no one who seemed up to the task of filling her shoes.
Something Pauline has always been fond of saying is, “You never know who will come up the driveway.” Earlier this year Jaryn Hall-Haines drove up. She learned about BITS and believed in how important our mission is. Soon, she discovered Pauline’s desire to retire. A bond was formed and for the past 4 months Pauline has been coaching Jaryn on how to take the reins and move BITS forward.
The staff and board of directors wish to thank Pauline for the tremendous work she has done these past 17 years. She is retiring at the end of this month for a well-deserved rest, and perhaps some travel when the pandemic restrictions are lifted.
Come January 1, 2021, Jaryn will officially take the helm as BITS’ executive director. We have enjoyed working with her these past months and welcome her enthusiasm as she takes charge! Welcome to the next chapter and new year!
Therapeutic Riding Lessons for Seniors
Why should young people have all the fun? Some of our older riders enjoy the feel of a horse and benefit greatly from the movements of riding. Muscles stretch and gain strength, balance is improved and, for some people, the experience opens up a whole new world.
Hello to BITS ETC Clients, Volunteers, and Supporters
First of all, I hope that you and your families are safe and healthy in these uncertain times. By now we have been able to contact most of you to share the news that today we shuttered our program to responsibly react to the Covid -19 threat. We pride ourselves on offering safe and effective therapeutic equine interventions and are making every effort to keep our clients staff and the herd safe until we can do so again.
We have a plan of action to stay connected with you, who mean so much to Melissa, Kathy, and whole BITS crew. You are what makes BITS ETC happen. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and here on the website to see how the horses are coping.
But starting today You can help. Please email or write me a note explaining why you use our services. Your personal stories can help me convey to our funders the importance of our maintaining our current herd so we can continue our work when this pandemic recedes.
For clients with older children, I ask them to send a letter to their favorite horse, telling us what they are doing. Their horse will reply, I promise. We are exploring ways to provide continued presence on Facebook and on our website documenting the horse’s daily routines, as well as expressions of concern for their riders. We are all in this together, and together we are determined to meet again on happier trails. In September we turn 18---what a birthday party we will have!
Thank you for your past support of BITS ETC. Stay safe.
Take care, be well,
Pauline
Pauline Meridien
Director, BITS ETC
First of all, I hope that you and your families are safe and healthy in these uncertain times. By now we have been able to contact most of you to share the news that today we shuttered our program to responsibly react to the Covid -19 threat. We pride ourselves on offering safe and effective therapeutic equine interventions and are making every effort to keep our clients staff and the herd safe until we can do so again.
We have a plan of action to stay connected with you, who mean so much to Melissa, Kathy, and whole BITS crew. You are what makes BITS ETC happen. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and here on the website to see how the horses are coping.
But starting today You can help. Please email or write me a note explaining why you use our services. Your personal stories can help me convey to our funders the importance of our maintaining our current herd so we can continue our work when this pandemic recedes.
For clients with older children, I ask them to send a letter to their favorite horse, telling us what they are doing. Their horse will reply, I promise. We are exploring ways to provide continued presence on Facebook and on our website documenting the horse’s daily routines, as well as expressions of concern for their riders. We are all in this together, and together we are determined to meet again on happier trails. In September we turn 18---what a birthday party we will have!
Thank you for your past support of BITS ETC. Stay safe.
Take care, be well,
Pauline
Pauline Meridien
Director, BITS ETC
To all our valued friends, students, volunteers, and supporters,
I sincerely hope you join me in weathering these hard times with the least disruption to your world, as is possible. We are approaching this new landscape with determination that Covid 19 will not win! I thank you again for your previous support toward our programs at Back In The Saddle Equine Therapy Center and want to update you on what we are doing to ensure the survival of BITS ETC.
Following CDC guidelines for social distancing, hand hygiene, environmental decontamination, and limitation on group interactions, we continue to offer lessons. Our clients have asked to continue these lessons, as a way to maintain some semblance of ‘normal’, and encourage healthy outdoor activity. We will do so as long as they can be offered in a socially responsible manner.
We currently have one full-time employee and 11 horses. The weekly cost to support our operation: of hay and grain, veterinary and farrier fees, as well as stall and barn upkeep averages over $800.00 per week. We are seeking what help is available, but at this point cannot sustain this over the long haul without support from the people who believe in BITS ETC.
As a non-profit, we must use any funds for the designated purpose it was donated. Currently, most of our reserves are locked in scholarships for individuals, especially the Ride UP program for Veterans and Uniformed Professionals. I am reaching out to each of you in an effort to find unrestricted funds to help us weather the current crises. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to BITS ETC today. You may donate easily through VENMO @BITS ETC
Thank you for reading this. Best wishes from all of us for strength to get through this together!
Sincerely,
Pauline Meridien, Director, BITS ETC
I sincerely hope you join me in weathering these hard times with the least disruption to your world, as is possible. We are approaching this new landscape with determination that Covid 19 will not win! I thank you again for your previous support toward our programs at Back In The Saddle Equine Therapy Center and want to update you on what we are doing to ensure the survival of BITS ETC.
Following CDC guidelines for social distancing, hand hygiene, environmental decontamination, and limitation on group interactions, we continue to offer lessons. Our clients have asked to continue these lessons, as a way to maintain some semblance of ‘normal’, and encourage healthy outdoor activity. We will do so as long as they can be offered in a socially responsible manner.
We currently have one full-time employee and 11 horses. The weekly cost to support our operation: of hay and grain, veterinary and farrier fees, as well as stall and barn upkeep averages over $800.00 per week. We are seeking what help is available, but at this point cannot sustain this over the long haul without support from the people who believe in BITS ETC.
As a non-profit, we must use any funds for the designated purpose it was donated. Currently, most of our reserves are locked in scholarships for individuals, especially the Ride UP program for Veterans and Uniformed Professionals. I am reaching out to each of you in an effort to find unrestricted funds to help us weather the current crises. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to BITS ETC today. You may donate easily through VENMO @BITS ETC
Thank you for reading this. Best wishes from all of us for strength to get through this together!
Sincerely,
Pauline Meridien, Director, BITS ETC
Click here to buy and sell on eBay
Buy and Sell on eBay for BITS ETC! You can support BITS ETC when you buy or sell on eBay with the eBay Giving Works program. Here's how:
BITS ETC is part of the eBay Giving Works program. So, you can support our mission when you buy and sell on eBay. **Be sure to bookmark our link for easy access each time you buy or sell!**
BUY: You can find whatever you're looking for on eBay - from baseball cards to new cars and more. When you do, shop for items that benefit us. You can get a great deal and support BITS ETC at the same time!
SELL: You can also support BITS ETC when you sell on eBay. Just designate our organization to receive 10-100% of your final sale price the next time you list something great. Did you know that charity listings often get more bids and higher prices than regular eBay listings? Boost your sales and support our critical work while you're at it! Plus - eBay gives back to you, too, with a fee credit on your basic selling fees!
BITS ETC is part of the eBay Giving Works program. So, you can support our mission when you buy and sell on eBay. **Be sure to bookmark our link for easy access each time you buy or sell!**
BUY: You can find whatever you're looking for on eBay - from baseball cards to new cars and more. When you do, shop for items that benefit us. You can get a great deal and support BITS ETC at the same time!
SELL: You can also support BITS ETC when you sell on eBay. Just designate our organization to receive 10-100% of your final sale price the next time you list something great. Did you know that charity listings often get more bids and higher prices than regular eBay listings? Boost your sales and support our critical work while you're at it! Plus - eBay gives back to you, too, with a fee credit on your basic selling fees!
A really big “Thank You” to VMWare Foundation for their generous grant honoring the volunteer efforts of their employee, Georg Edelmann. BITS ETC can do what we do because of support from public minded corporations, and sweat equity of volunteers like Georg. Together they have provided a big step up in our fundraising efforts to provide a lift for riders to mount safely. “ Thank you for making a difference!
A big, heartfelt thank you to both the Sunapee and Hopkinton Lions Clubs! Their generous donations of $500 each launches our "Lions Lift" campaign - a fundraising effort to provide a lift for riders who spend much of their time in wheelchairs, to see the world from a different perspective - atop a horse. One of our students (Brian) is convinced that riding has helped him in his efforts to strengthen his upper body, improve his trunk control, and has even helped with stretching and strengthening his legs. The lift will allow him - and others in wheelchairs - to continue riding through the winter months when the outdoor ramp is under the snow.