Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, a therapeutic equine program for individuals with disabilities, has received a grant from the Farmingdale-based Michael Scotto Foundation.
The $10,500 grant will be used in conjunction with a donation from the Limo Almi Foundation to provide care for two therapeutic horses named Cajun and Vinny. Another portion of the Michael Scotto Foundation grant will help provide equestrian therapy for riders who cannot afford the services at Pal-O-Mine.
“It is our goal to provide services to any student who requires them, regardless of their ability to pay," said Lisa Gatti, founder and executive director of Pal-O-Mine. "Therefore we rely on the generous donations of foundations such as the Michael Scotto Foundation to help us achieve that goal."
The therapeutic horses require nutrition, healthcare and training to perform optimally during the student’s therapy. Pal-O-Mine Equestrian began in 1993 and its mission is to facilitate healing with horses for children and adults with disabilities, those who have been abused or neglected, are in the military and are economically compromised.
Pal-O-Mine operates a full time program, seven days a week, 12 months a year, and supports 18 program horses on an 8-acre Islandia facility serving 300 individuals.
The Michael Scotto Foundation is a non-profit organization originally founded to support a scholarship program with Farmingdale High School, where Michael was a student. Today, the organization donates money to various charities in memory of Michael such as March of Dimes, The Smile Train and Angela's House.
"We are so grateful to the Limo Almi Foundation and the Michael Scotto Foundation for their support of Pal-O-Mine and for helping to care for our horses, Cajun and Vinny," Gatti said.
