Russel Brow

This bill amends RSA 72:23, V by adding new provisions to tax property value exceeding $1,000,000 at the municipal rate. This measure poses a significant threat to the property tax-exempt status of nonprofits in New Hampshire. House Bill 1293 could lead to reduced capacity—or even the closure—of critical programs such as childcare, homeless services, and food pantries. This Bill in particular has direct impact relative UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc. at 153 Paige Hill Rd, Goffstown, NH 03045. Personally I have supported this amazing organization for several years with donations and volunteer time. The land for UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center and the horses they support are invaluable and necessary for the organizations operation and impact. They offer many therapeutic options as listed below: "Therapeutic Riding Therapeutic riding is a mounted, equine-assisted program that enables participants to improve cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral abilities by learning equestrian riding skills. Specific goals are identified for each participant and are supported by a team of PATH Intl. certified staff and trained volunteers. Benefits: Therapeutic riding lessons are specifically tailored to each individual's abilities and goals. When on the back of a horse, the rider's pelvis naturally moves in a manner that closely mimics walking. Therapeutic riding leads to: Horsemanship and supporting skills, such as communication, decision-making, and problem-solving Increase in self-esteem, self-confidence, motivation, and well-being Transfer of improvements in fine and gross motor skills to personal functional skills" "Therapeutic Driving Therapeutic driving is an equine-assisted program that provides a carriage or cart alternative for those participants who are unable to ride due to weight, balance, fatigue, and/or the ability to sit astride. Specific goals are identified for each participant and are supported by a team of PATH Intl. certified staff and trained volunteers. Benefits: Therapeutic driving lessons are specifically tailored to each individual's abilities and goals in mind. Therapeutic driving leads to: Development of bi-lateral movement and planning skills Improvement in posture and spatial orientation Positive impact on communication skills and self-confidence Development of motor skills, as well as hand-eye coordination and stability" "Hippotherapy Hippotherapy is a mounted activity utilizing the movement of the horse and is implemented by a Physical Therapist (PT), Occupational Therapist (OT), or Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). The participant receiving individualized treatment is not learning riding skills, but is gaining improvements in muscle tone, strength, postural control, balance, and coordination from weight shifts and postural displacement created by the horse's gait. " These many benefits are critical to healing and recovery for many individual, handicap individuals, and recovering veterans within the state of New Hampshire. It is critical HB 1293, and per my personal opinion and recommendation, be deemed inexpedient to legislate to keep this volunteer organization (including its lands, and horses, buildings and property) at manageable funding levels to continue operations and offering invaluable services to the people of New Hampshire.