A World on Hold: The Equus Foundation & Eagala Share How COVID-19 is Impacting Philanthropy Efforts

The equestrian industry as a whole has been no stranger to the impact of COVID-19 on the economy. Horse shows are being cancelled, barns are going into lockdown and veterinarians and farriers are having to take extra precautions to protect themselves while interacting with owners and barn staff. But how has COVID-19 impacted philanthropic efforts? The teams at the Equus Foundation and Eagala shared their thoughts with Phelps Sports below.

What was your reaction to the cancellation of many of the current and upcoming horse events?

Equus Foundation: These are unprecedented times for everyone including the horse community. While we are deeply concerned, we absolutely believe it was the right decision for everyone’s health and safety.  Safety first, always.

Eagala: Our first response is always, “What can we do to support our clients and members?” Eagala is first and foremost concerned for the safety of our clients and our members. This led to the cancellation of our spring trainings.  As the pandemic became a reality for us in February, it became all hands on deck, as the leadership of Eagala met to address what we needed to change during this global medical emergency while also supporting our own mental health and safety needs. 

Did the cancellation of events so far throw a wrench in your plans for spring 2020? How will you try to offset those cancellations?

The EQUUS Foundation is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100% dedicated to safeguarding the comfort and dignity of America’s horses throughout their lives and sharing their magic and power with as many people as possible. Their mission is to protect America’s horses and strengthen the bond between horses and people.

Equus Foundation: Yes, it certainly did and will continue to do so as long as the horse shows where we raise funds and awareness are cancelled. We feel strongly that it is important to give the equine community and the public the ability to meet at-risk/adoptable horses in-person and to hear their backstories from our Guardian charities – and also the very special horses that serve the special needs community. Our Guardian charities are ensuring that these horses find second chances. It is a very important part of what we do.

Any and all horses can be at-risk and depend on second chances. Our in-person adoption events help increase awareness of at-risk horses and makes a visible connection of what an at-risk horse looks like. We cancelled our closing “adoption awareness” event in Wellington but remain hopeful that we will be able to hold anticipated events coming up in mid-May and June.  Since we cannot control or predict what is happening currently at this critical time, we are shifting our “live” community outreach to social media for now and may even do some of our spring or even summer equine adoption and awareness events on social media instead.

Eagala: Yes, this absolutely threw a wrench in our plans.  But we also recognized that this crisis was intensifying the need for mental health services for many people, with an increase in all sorts of mental health related issues like depression, PTSD, lost jobs and businesses, and more. Sadly, when a financial crisis hits, human trafficking, addictions, domestic violence and homelessness increase as well. It’s a heartbreaking situation, and Eagala is uniquely qualified and equipped to address these problems. 

In response, we are creating related resources for our members to respond with clarity, to not only survive this time, but to enlarge their skill sets and expand the impact they can make. Our weekly Connect Calls with a panel of Eagala leadership have had great attendance, and have proven to be collaborative in sharing resources and innovative solutions. People are leaving these calls inspired, rejuvenated, and with a sense of “we’ll be okay.”

Eagala has always had a culture of innovation, revolutionizing mental health treatment by incorporating horses. The Member Forum provides networking support and business resources, as well as Continuing Education Units where program members can still move forward in their Eagala professional development. Even during these unprecedented times we are doing everything we can to stay on the leading edge of this treatment protocol.

How has all of this shifted your focus on your program temporarily?

Equus Foundation: Our focus has always been to increase adoptions of at-risk horses, provide safe haven for aged horses, and increase opportunities for all people to engage with horses in new innovative ways.  Our focus has not shifted, but, now, more than ever, we need to continue to educate, inspire, and raise funds to support the organizations that are helping horses across the country stay safe from abuse, neglect and slaughter. The current situation may require that we do all of our messaging online for the foreseeable future.

Horses give so much to us, but they depend on us for their care and protection. Over 65,000 of America’s horses were shipped across our borders in 2019 to be slaughtered for human consumption in countries other than the US – most were young, healthy and had untapped potential – and none deserved this inhumane end of life. Tens of thousands more are abused and neglected because their owners cannot care for them. As the economic impact unfolds, we fear that these numbers will undoubtedly increase – we just don’t know by how much.  We are already hearing from our Guardian charities about an increase in calls from people who can no longer keep their horses.

Eagala: We are exploring telehealth as a promising temporary bridge to mental health care and putting components of our certified training into place using virtual options to obtain certification where possible. 

How have you been handling the “new normal” in your daily routine? Are there any new measures being put in place?

Equus Foundation: Although our organization has a large, national reach, our very small staff has been operating remotely for many years and is continuing to work from home from our various locations. We utilize video conferencing and have no plans at this time to get together in person for meetings or events.

We do know that many, if not most of the EQUUS Foundation Guardian charities – charities that have undergone a rigorous vetting process by the EQUUS Foundation — have issued new protocols restricting access by visitors, clients and volunteers and have cancelled programs in order to protect their barn and staff and not contribute to the spread of the disease. 

Most of the organizations we work with have had to cancel their fundraising and public awareness events, which is presenting extraordinary obstacles in their ability to keep their horses healthy and safe. We all must get creative and resourceful and concentrate on raising funds and awareness online for now.

Eagala: Having had the Member Forum in place, safety measures have been easy to get out to our Eagala global community. Members have had to place more focus on equipment and facilities sanitation, which will be an ongoing practice along with observing best practices in personal sanitation and distancing. They are reassessing their Eagala programs and businesses to discover changes to become more efficient and effective.

How have your feelings regarding COVID-19 changed as it has progressed?

Equus Foundation: COVID-19 was a potential concern that turned into a surreal world crisis very fast. We are taking this very seriously and trying to do our part to follow the orders of our local, state, and federal government along with the recommendations of experts working to reduce the spread of the virus. We want to stay safe and healthy and help to keep others safe around us. We now know how very serious this pandemic is and we are all in this together! We have to take care of each other – and our horses!

The Eagala Model teaches facilitation skill sets that can be applied in other situations as well. Using confidential on-line telehealth platforms made for mental health professionals, we can serve people virtually. The trained professionals in an Eagala team are able to incorporate their skills by including horses through integrating pictures and live video to address mental health needs.

Eagala: We are deeply concerned for the mental health of everyone right now. Relationship and connection are basic human needs. Recognizing the severity of the impact the pandemic is having globally – on physical, spiritual, financial, and social levels is staggering. As a result, we are looking seriously at how we can be there on the front lines, successfully helping people through this on the mental health side. 

We have lost “life as we know it” and are learning to live in a new normal. Many have been triggered to consider what is really important to them. We will all be experiencing different levels of trauma for a time as all areas of life have changed as a result of this pandemic. Many have lost jobs, family, or careers. We are grieving for what we used to feel and be, and how we lived. The decisions that must be made now can be too much to handle by ourselves. We are poised and ready as we know we are uniquely qualified and are ready to be of service through and beyond this pandemic. 

What do you feel the equestrian community can do (or continue to do) to minimize the risk of the spread of COVID-19?

Equus Foundation: We can’t say enough about how important it is to LISTEN to and FOLLOW the orders of local, state and federal government and the recommendations of the experts in this unthinkably scary situation. New protocols emerge daily and we are being fluid to adapt to new governmental orders and expert recommendations. We are impressed that the equine and equestrian community stepped up right away to do this and disallowed spectators at events, and then cancelled events when it became necessary. We cancelled our upcoming events for the safety and health of our attendees. As a community, we should continue to set the example of how to take care of one another and how to follow rules that will protect all of us. The faster we can flatten the curve of this virus and stop the spread, the faster we can all get back to our “normal” enjoying our horses, protecting them, and being out in nature with fellow horse lovers, as we love to do.

Eagala: Sanitation, innovation, and strengthening resilience are ways we can move through this together. Not based in fear, but in realistic facts to discern right next steps. 

The equestrian community is used to dealing with risk – in sport, work, and recreation. We all approach equine-related fields with the same mindset:  how do we handle risk, safety and security? Along with the physical measures, we can minimize risk of the spread of the virus by sharing information. 

How has this affected your relationship with your donors?

Equus Foundation: We have always enjoyed “facetime” with our donors and prospective donors whenever possible which has been a great way to continue to communicate our message and needs of our Guardian charities. Everyone now understands, that for the time being, meeting in-person will not be possible. We are very grateful to our donors and hope they will remain committed to protecting the many, many thousands of America’s at-risk horses! We do know that many people will be affected by this crisis economically, and this will be a challenging area for all charities.

Eagala: Donors have a unique opportunity here to make a big impact in what is going to be a massive need for mental health services, and potentially a need for more horses to be retired from competition. Since the Eagala Model does not involve riding horses, our work has provided an incredible and growing niche for horses needing a new role. Donors and supporters can step into a real and tangible legacy and be a valuable channel to keep these services alive and change the lives of both people and horses for the better.

Do you feel the changes from both the virus and the economy will have lasting effects on philanthropic efforts?

Equus Foundation: Sadly, yes. We are fearful that there may be a decrease in donations to all nonprofits similar to the period of time after the recession in 2008. This will impact our ability to serve and support our Guardian charities and protect the thousands upon thousands of horses at-risk every year.

Eagala: While the potential for giving may be currently lower due to portfolios being down, this is likely not lasting. When this crisis has passed, we believe that there will be a lasting positive effect that will result in an increase in philanthropy as global compassion and support of one another becomes important to us all.

How do you plan to combat these effects?

Equus Foundation: This will be a great opportunity to try some new digital engagement and fundraising techniques utilizing live “instastories” and Facebook Live events about what it means to be a #HorseProtector – especially now! There are many great virtual communications platforms that we can all utilize to continue to “business as usual” the best we can.

Eagala: We do our part in communicating a clear message of service, healing, and giving. Where traditional mental health talk therapy leaves off, the Eagala Model is changing life outcomes of people and horses for the better. Strengthening resilience, coming to terms with traumatic experiences, and empowering people to find their own solutions is why we do what we do at Eagala. With our Eagala Certification training, we are empowering mission-driven people with vibrant and rewarding career opportunities. Even retired horses have a place in Eagala programs.


ABOUT EQUUS FOUNDATION: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America’s horses and strengthening the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.

ABOUT EAGALA: Since 1999, Eagala has set the global standard for equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development. Boasting over 500 regional programs, and with more than 2,500 certified members in over 40 countries, it is the leading international nonprofit association for professionals incorporating horses to address mental health and personal development needs. For more information, visit eagala.org.

 

 

 

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