Construction of the Jean Edelman Indoor Riding Arena continues moving closer and closer to completion. Recent work has focused on finishing the five bioretention basins— landscaped basins that manage storm water runoff— on the property, and installing the footing.

We are working on the final pieces of the fire suppression system and inspections. Once that's done, the finishing touches will be completed and we can apply for our certificate of occupancy from Fairfax County. The excitement is palpable as this long-awaited dream gets ready to come true!

Program Director Olivia Taylor will be leaving NVTRP this summer to pursue other career interests. Her last day will be June 24th.

Olivia has been with NVTRP for almost 11 years, starting as an intern while in college for two summers.

She has held multiple roles within the organization and was instrumental in helping grow and expand programming. 

Olivia's contributions to the program have been numerous and invaluable. We will miss her immensely but wish her all the best as she sets out on this exciting next chapter!

Please welcome our new Barn Feeder, Rose Khattab!

Rose will be leading volunteer barn shifts on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Rose has a lot of horse experience from riding on the GMU Equestrian team to owning, training and caring for her own horse, who lives just down the road.

Welcome to the team!

Rose is looking for a sponsor! This sweet red roan appaloosa joined the NVTRP herd almost three years ago thanks to a grant from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation. Rose has thrived in her role as a therapeutic riding horse, always patient and adjusting to the individual needs of each client. 

Beyond the military program and lessons on the farm, Rose travels to Larmax Homes several times a year where she builds meaningful relationships with the senior residents. According to one NVTRP staff member, "She stands perfectly still so she doesn't startle them and lowers her head to be on their level. Rose is loving and has definitely found her niche with seniors!"

If you're interested in sponsoring Rose, visit our website or email Tessa Hassett at thassett@nvtrp.org. Rose is available for a full year sponsorship at $4,000, half year at $2,000 or a quarter year at $1,000. Charles, Loki, Eleanor and Teddy are also available for partial year sponsorships.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Greg Pellegrino, an NVTRP Board Member, passed away suddenly of a heart attack on April 25^th at the age of 55.

Greg was very engaged with helping grow our programming for recovering service members and veterans, motivated by his experiences as the son of a Navy Submarine Commander, growing up on military bases. Greg also promoted NVTRP generously within his polo community, with which he was very active. Professionally, Greg was the Executive Branch Affairs Leader at Deloitte, where he was a partner for over 20 years.

His keen mind and generous spirit made a significant impact at NVTRP and will live on through the lives of the service men and women who will heal through programs at NVTRP that he helped to make possible. 

Spring season is well underway! We have welcomed 120 weekly clients this session, continuing to slowly increase back to pre-COVID numbers. COVID precautions remain in place, but we were able to add volunteers back in sessions as sidewalkers for clients while still requiring masks for eveyone's safety.

All of the program's horses and services are now back home at O'Shaughnessy Farm after being split between two locations! 

Special Programs

NVTRP is returning to the Washington School for Girls for our 5th year. NVTRP's mini Teddy, (and this year Eleanor will join him!) goes on the road each year and provides equine-assisted learning sessions at the school's campus.

Sessions promote life skills and personal development with the focus on communication, responsibility, dependability and organization. 

We are also launching our second six-week program for youth in treatment for or recovering from a cancer diagnosis. Pediatric cancer survivors will learn riding and horsemanship skills as they safely socialize with peers. 

NVTRP hosted workshops for teachers and essential workers over spring break; providing sessions for those who worked hard to keep our community safe over the past year. Participants were able to de-stress by connecting with our wonderful horses through unmounted, educational and relational activities.

We recently added two new horses to the herd: Taco and Sur! Both are still on trial to see if the therapeutic riding life suits them.

They have been getting worked by staff and recently started getting led in lessons with no riders to get used to the flow of lessons and the bustle of the ring.

They are on track to start in some lessons for summer session. 

We always look forward to April - not only for the beautiful spring weather - but also to celebrate our amazing volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.

While we are grateful for our wonderful team of volunteers every day, Volunteer Appreciation Week gives us a chance to show them how very special they are.

This year, volunteers were treated to goodie boxes during their shifts as a small token of our appreciation for all their hard work and dedication throughout the year.

We are so grateful for such a passionate and caring team. We could not do it without each and everyone of you!!

Huge thanks to several new sponsors of our military programming—TRACE Systems, aXseum, Inc., SOLID, American Legion Post 177, and AFCEA NOVA. Their generosity, combined with that of longtime sponsors DP George and Northrop Grumman, allows recovering service members and veterans to participate in equine-assisted services at NVTRP at no cost.  

Due to a spike in demand for services at the on-set of COVID, we are on target to provide twice the number of sessions (650) to recovering service members and veterans in 2021, compared to 2019. To learn more about how to get involved, visit www.nvtrp.org/military or contact Wendy Baird at wbaird@nvtrp.org.

Each of our horses receives a combination of supplements every day to help with joint health, gut health and allergies. For $100, you could cover the cost of one week of supplements for the whole NVTRP herd. One of our most common supplements, Cosequin, keeps the horse's joints healthy as they age and costs $250 for a one month supply.

Making a donation today could help purchase these important supplements to keep the NVTRP horses in top condition for our clients! 

Photo credits to Sydney Sawyer Photography and NVTRP staff.