Ironstone Farm

Challenge Unlimited, Inc. (est. 1983) and Ironstone Therapy, Inc. (est. 1998) are non-profit organizations established to serve individuals with and without disabilities using the animals and environment of Ironstone Farm. Current programs are serving over 700 clients per year.

Ironstone Farm was founded in 1960 by Richard Donovan as a breeding, training, and rehabilitation facility for thoroughbred horses. Beginning in the seventies, the concept of utilizing horses in conjunction with rehabilitation for people was introduced at the farm and has since improved the lives of countless individuals.

Ironstone Farm is located on fourteen acres in Andover, MA. The property includes three homes, stables, a physical therapy arena, streams and ponds, pasture and woodland. It is home to a herd of thirty-five horses, and provides a safe habitat for a variety of wildlife.

The Mission …is to provide effective therapy for individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities, using horses and a working farm environment, while involving people in helping others through volunteer services.

The Farm … furnishes a wholesome, healthy and educational environment for persons with and without disabilities to learn life skills through farm-related activities.

Disabilities Served

Challenge Unlimited and Ironstone Therapy serve approximately 480 individuals weekly, year round, with representatives from more then 82 cities and towns throughout Greater Boston, the Merrimack Valley, and Southern New Hampshire. Disabilities include the following:

Cerebral Palsy
Autism
Attention Deficit Disorder
Stroke
Pervasive Development Delay
Seizure Disorder
Learning Disability
Developmental Disability
Mental Handicap
Mental Retardation
Traumatic Brain Injury
Spinal Cord Injury
Cancer
Down syndrome
Williams syndrome
Aperts Syndrome
Huntington disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Spina Bifida
Visual and Hearing Impairment

Program Goals

To further develop Ironstone Farm as a center of rehabilitative and educational services that will continue into the future without interruption.

To encourage and enable all who become involved at Ironstone Farm to reach their greatest potential for independence - physical and emotional.

To continue to develop relationships with healthcare and educational professionals in ongoing projects that will produce publishable documentation regarding the efficacy of hippotherapy.

OVERVIEW OF CHALLENGE UNLIMITED AT IRONSTONE FARM

1960s - 70s	Richard Donovan built farm, bred, raised and trained thoroughbred horses.
1970s	Field trips to Ironstone Farm by groups of children with special needs.
1983 (25 clients)	Incorporated Challenge Unlimited as a non-profit charitable organization to offer therapeutic riding to individuals with disability (all services donated by Ironstone Farm).
1985	Challenge Unlimited received tax exempt status with the IRS as a 501( c)(3) organization.
1986	Established programs with National Birth Defects Center/Genesis Fund.
1987	Established association with Massachusetts Special Olympics.
1988	Established lease arrangement with Ironstone Farm to enable programs to grow. Also became first Massachusetts organization to host Special Olympics Equestrian Event.
1989(200 clients)	Established Annual Yearbook Fundraiser.
1991	Organized Therapeutic Riding Research Committee.
1994	Richard Donovan built Physical Therapy Building for Challenge Unlimited programs. Initial pilot therapy programs were born.
1996 (400 clients)	Signed first public school contracts with Lowell for PT and OT services.
1997	Established Ironstone Therapy as medically based physical and occupational therapy service provider.
1998	Incorporated Ironstone Therapy as non-profit 501( c)(3) organization.
1999(700 clients)	Initiate plans for expansion of facilities and programs to support future generations.
2000	Begin contracts with Early Intervention.
2001	Successful completion of Phase I Capital Campaign.
2002	Special Olympics Hall of Fame

Operating Income Sources

Challenge Unlimited and Ironstone Therapy operate on a fee-for-service basis, with charges for program participation established annually. Challenge Unlimited provides management and administrative services for Ironstone Therapy. Physical, occupational, and speech therapies may be reimbursable through insurance coverage, or special education agencies. Hippotherapy is now being included in Individual Education Plans for children enrolled in Chapter 766 programs requiring provision of therapeutic services. As non-profit tax exempt organizations, the programs have developed methods for raising sponsorship funding: an Annual Yearbook provides clients with the opportunity to raise their own tuition by soliciting advertisements and grant applications are submitted throughout the year to support clients and special projects. 100% of all monies raised go directly to program support.

Home Challenge Unlimited Ironstone Therapy
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450 Lowell Street - Andover, MA 01810 978-475-4056 Fax 978-475-4046
E-mail: IronstoneFarm@ChallengeUnlimited.org