Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy Inc.

“The 990 is received by the Executive Director and distributed to the Treasurer, President, and other members of the Board with financial backgrounds and members of the audit and finance committee for review. Once reviewed by those individuals, any necessary changes are made and the 990 is distributed to the Board for review and approval and upon approval, signed by the President prior to submission.”

“The President of the Board, using a goal oriented form, prepares the performance evaluation of the Executive Director, which is reviewed by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting in December. The Board of Directors reviews the performance evaluation and considering the current financial status of the organization, as well as the standard compensation for Executive Directors for other similarly situated Therapeutic Riding Programs as published by PATH International, conducts deliberations and makes decisions regarding the compensation agreement. Contemporaneous minutes of all Board Meetings are taken by the Secretary and kept at the Pegasus office. This process was undertaken throughout 2024.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public at the Pegasus office.”

“Pegasus partners with horses, utilizing their movement the important bond between horse rider, to promote improved physical emotional well-being and independence for individuals with disabilities. Pegasus provides therapeutic exercise in various forms, always emphasizing ability maintaining an environment of respect and trust for our riders, volunteers and horses.”

“Volunteers Approximately 90 per week Provide a significant part of the workforce since each rider requires three volunteers to lead the horse and sidewalk on either side of the horse for support during the weekly lessons. Last year our volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours of their time to our program. The Pegasus Program reaches approximately 100 participants each week which translates into over 4,000 lessons per year. Although our riders represent many different disabilities, we have seen a marked increase in the number of participants with autism spectrum disorders. In September 2007 we created a specialized program for children with autism spectrum disorders that initially served four and now twelve clients on Monday evenings. In further response to our clients requests we offer lessons on Saturdays and Sundays. Pegasus is the only therapeutic riding program in Philadelphia and, as such, it enables us to serve a diverse population including groups from Moss Rehabilitation Hospital, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, HMS School of West Philadelphia for Children with Severe Cerebral Palsy, Widener School and Beechwood Rehabilitation for Adults with Head Trauma. Half hour group 4 Riders riding lessons are conducted on Wednesday and Thursday mornings and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturdays and Sundays. Monday evening is dedicated to the Autism Program. Pegasus also has a senior saddles program for riders 55, which focuses on the physical challenges of the population approaching senior years. The Pegasus Program continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs and demands of the disabled community in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.”

“The conflict of interest statement was instituted during 2008. The by-laws contain a conflict of interest policy that provides The Board shall adopt a policy on conflict of interest which shall provide, at a minimum, that any Director shall abstain from voting on or participating in the administration of any matter in which there is a conflict of interest, as determined by the President of the Board, excluding transactions with affiliates of the corporation. The practices and procedures manual for the organization contains a conflict of interest disclosure from which all employees are required to complete on an annual basis. The board manual includes a similar conflict of interest disclosure form for all board members. At the board level, if a conflict arises, that board member will excuse him/herself from the room and not be involved in the discussion nor vote on that issue.”

“This process is unchanged from the prior year.”