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Eight years ago, Manes for Movement began with a dream, two therapy horses, two clients a week, and the incredible generosity of one family who believed in what this program could become.

As both the founder of Manes for Movement and a physical therapist, I have had the extraordinary privilege of watching that dream grow- not just in numbers, but in moments I will never forget.

I have watched children take their first steps. I have watched a child who struggled to hold up their own head grow strong enough to explore the world around them. I have watched children develop the balance to sit independently, the confidence to try something new, and the strength to participate more fully in their families and communities.

Sometimes, to the untrained eye, it may look like just a pony ride. But we at Manes know differently.

We know that in a single treatment session, the movement of the horse can provide thousands of opportunities for a child to activate their muscles, challenge their balance, build coordination, and experience movement in a way that simply cannot be replicated in a traditional clinic. For a child who spends much of their day in a wheelchair, that movement can be profound.

And yet, some of the greatest transformations I have witnessed extend far beyond physical milestones. Our horses give our clients a place where therapy feels like joy. Where differences matter a little less. Where children who spend so much of their lives being told what they cannot do get to discover what they can.

That is why I started Manes for Movement.

And this year, that little dream entered its biggest chapter yet.

In April, Manes for Movement moved to our new home at Palos Verdes Stables. After years of operating from the backyard barn where this organization began, we finally have the opportunity to become the program I have always believed Manes could be.

We now have room to grow our therapy herd, increase service hours, expand our programs, and welcome more people into the Manes family. Most importantly, we have the opportunity to begin reaching the more than 450 families waiting for our services.

But having the space to grow is only the beginning.

Growth requires more horses, more specialized staff, more financial assistance for families, and more resources to ensure that the quality and heart of Manes remain at the center of everything we do.

That is why this Month of Giving means so much to me.

We have built something extraordinary together. Now, I am asking you to help us build what comes next.

Please join my team and make a gift to Manes for Movement. Whether it is $25, $100, $500, or more, every gift helps us move closer to a future where a family seeking these life-changing services doesn't have to hear, “The wait is four years.” Instead, I hope someday we can simply say, “Welcome. We have a place for you.”

Thank you for believing in this dream, for believing in our horses, and most importantly, for believing in the incredible potential of every person we serve.

Together, let's make this next chapter our most impactful one yet.

With gratitude,
Dr. Erin O'Mahony, PT, DPT, HPCS
Founder & Executive Director
Manes for Movement
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Manes for Movement, Inc
P.O. Box 1587
Torrance, CA 90505
info.manesformovement@gmail.com
Tax ID #: 84-2971941

Manes for Movement, Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible under IRC Section 170.