As founder and CEO of Islandia-based Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, Lisa Gatti fills an unprecedented and increasingly important niche in Long Island’s social structure. Officially established in 1995, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization provides comprehensive therapeutic programs featuring horses (plus psychotherapy, horticulture and wellness) for children and adults with disabilities, as well as veterans, first responders and other survivors of trauma, abuse and neglect. Gatti conceived this unique mission while earning a bachelor’s degree (with a dual major in elementary education and special education) at St. Joseph’s University; while developing Pal-O-Mine, she also completed the Leadership Huntington and Energeia Partnership leadership-development programs. She’s served on the board of Long Island watchdog group Autism Communities, guided local special-needs programming as a member of the Town of Islip Disability Advisory Committee and chaired the Board of Directors of global equine-assisted psychotherapy organization Eagala – experiences that have helped Gatti shape Pal-O-Mine into one of the nation’s most-trusted therapeutic organizations. And its brightest days are yet to come, according to the busy founder.
Steel dossier: When I was a freshman in college, my father sent me Danielle Steel’s book “Palomino,” where the main character is a lifelong horse-lover, just like me. She has a bad fall that paralyzes her – but despite being quadriplegic, she doesn’t want to give up her love for riding, and she opens a ranch in Wyoming for kids with disabilities.
Life imitates art: After finishing the book, I called my dad at 2 a.m. and told him I know what I want to do for the rest of my life: combine my love of teaching and my love of riding.
Starting small: I was a high school special-education teacher, but all that time I was looking for the right opportunity to launch Pal-O-Mine. In 1993, a friend told me about a barn on Long Island that was looking to do something different, so I pitched them the idea of having a therapeutic riding program. The owner agreed, and I was able to continue to teach at the high school and run Pal-O-Mine part time.
Taking the reins: In 1995, Pal-O-Mine was officially designated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and I left my teaching job to run the organization full time. Early on, it was one rented horse, one volunteer and me. We had just a handful of students.
At a gallop: Our programs and the number of people we served grew bigger every year. We were renting or bartering spaces and Pal-O-Mine had to move six times in less than 10 years. By 2004, we knew the time had come to purchase our own farm so that we could continue to serve more people and add new programs. Now we own 13 beautiful acres of agriculturally designated farmland and 25 horses.
Expensive opportunity: In 1997, three Pal-O-Mine students, all of whom had disabilities, were invited to compete at a prestigious young riders’ championship in Illinois. But it would cost $8,000 to travel with the horses and pay all the expenses, and we just didn’t have the money.
Help from above: I wanted them to have this chance of a lifetime, so I took a shot and wrote to Danielle Steel. I told her how her novel had inspired me and how Pal-O-Mine was changing people’s lives, and about these three students and their dream to take part in the competition. About a month later, I opened an envelope and there was a check for $8,000 from Danielle Steel – no note, but of course I knew what it was for.
Touching message: I have kept in touch with her ever since, sharing Pal-O-Mine’s growth and vision over the years. She recently wrote a beautiful email congratulating us on our 30th anniversary, noting it touched her heart to know that her novel was the inspiration for helping so many people.
Riding high: Pal-O-Mine’s unique services provide highpoints for people with disabilities, survivors of trauma and other clients requiring a special therapeutic touch.
Step by J-STEP: We’ve added several new programs through the years, like J-STEP, which stands for Job Security Through Equine Partnership. It’s a vocational program that takes place in our garden, offering training to those who participate in any of our equine programs and have transitioned out of high school. We also partner with Long Island stores and boutiques to sell the products they make here.
Group effort: Today, we serve more than 400 children and adults each week. Pal-O-Mine still has many of the same volunteers and staff since 1995, a testament to the value of the service we provide to the community.
Just rewards: Our volunteers, more than 80 each week, and our staff often tell me they feel they get more than they give. They witness miraculous transformations in people’s lives. They are surrounded by nature and animals that help them live in the moment and experience the deep meaning of service.
Sponsor salute: Thankfully, there have been hundreds of generous individuals, foundations and corporations who have helped us get where we are today. Our donors are passionate about many different areas, including children, horses, veterans, people with disabilities or autism, at-risk youth and others.
Sensing a theme: There’s also something to be said about old-school cowboy/cowgirl values. When we talk about those traditional values, words like authenticity, passion, loyalty, responsibility, strong work ethic, dedication and persistence come to mind. And of course, a deep love and respect for horses.
On location: We’re having our 30th anniversary celebration, the Sunset Rodeo, right here on the farm on Sept. 20. There’s nothing better than having people see the place where their donations have helped touch so many lives, instead of being at a catering hall that has nothing to do with the mission.
The barn door is open: We actually have several exciting events coming up. On Sept. 7, we’re hosting our Fall Festival and Open House, so everyone can come see our farm, meet our horses and have a great time with their families. And on Oct. 19, we’re hosting our second-annual VetFest, where veterans and their families will be able to meet representatives from more than 40 veterans’ resource groups.
Construction plans: We’re also planning several capital improvements. We’re planning to add a kitchen for our J-STEP program and we’re working on creating a community continuing-education space, which will offer a variety of unique trainings – plus a “Direct Floortime” program, which involves relationship-based therapy for children with autism and their parents, who get on the floor to play and interact with the children at their level.
On the horizon: This Fall, we’ll be adding a memory-impaired program in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. We’re also planning training sessions related to the Eagala model, which is dedicated to revolutionizing mental-health treatment by incorporating the profound and therapeutic presence of horses.
Go team: And we’re looking to grow our wellness programs for nonprofits, corporations and businesses of all kinds, allowing them to bring their staff here to experience nature and equine interactions – great for team building, enhanced communication and relaxation.
Saddle up: It’s going to be a busy Fall – and I couldn’t be more excited!
Interview by Gregory Zeller
