Program helps riders find success
By Joanne Fox, Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, July 21, 2008
Dr. Mark and Sue Wheeler, the founders of the S.T.A.R.S., pose in front of the organization's barn with one of the horses used in the therapeutic program. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
Clients of S.T.A.R.S. (Special Troopers Adaptive Riding School) are taught independence with equine assistance.
It's not just a pony ride.
Dr. Mark Wheeler, along with his wife Susan, made that assertion as they reflected on founding the school and discussed their retirement next month. The Wheelers moved to Sioux City in 1981 so Mark could practice as an orthopedic surgeon. Sue was developing the Wheelers' stable at the time and giving private lessons.
In 1983, they saw a special on television about a horseback riding program serving persons with disabilities.
"I told Mark we could do that," she said. "We could pull that off."
At that time the Wheelers were not aware of any programs that paired horses with riders in need of therapy. Sue, who has a bachelor's degree in psychology and an associate's in animal husbandry, took a training course at the Cheff Center for the Handicapped in Michigan to become certified to teach.
"When I returned, we discovered there was another program in place at the Stock Yards, so we met with them to coordinate," Sue said.
The riding program was officially adopted by the Wheelers in 1984 from the 4-H group which decided to disband it because of the time and expense involved. The Wheelers set up the program with nonprofit status and a board of directors.
The program continued to grow and expanded to year-round in 1996 when a barn was donated and moved to the parcel of land at 33148 -- K22, about a mile north of Sioux City on five acres of land that the Wheelers had donated.
"I think, before that, people assumed Sue and I owned the S.T.A.R.S., even though it had been independently set up years before," Mark said. "I think once we had that barn, the program had its own identity and really took off."
Having its own identity has always been paramount for the Wheelers. Especially now, as they prepare for retirement and their move from Sioux City to the Black Hills.
"I've had people approach me and ask, 'What's going to happen to the program when you leave?'" Sue said. "I tell them it will continue."
The Wheelers have served on the S.T.A.R.S. board of directors for 24 years, said Jessie Christopherson executive director of the school.
"Dr. and Mrs. Wheeler have been exceptional contributors, neighbors and friends," she said. "The S.T.A.R.S. riders, staff and board of directors extend their thanks and wishes them the very best for the future."
In their enthusiasm and confidence in the program's future, the Wheelers are donating an additional 20 acres of their property to the S.T.A.R.S. program. Mark Wheeler said the best part of being associated with the program is the many people who are members of the S.T.A.R.S. family.
"It's not just the board, who are terrific," he said. "It's the riders, the volunteers and the families. They are unbelievable. They give back to us far more than we ever could give to them."
For Sue Wheeler, her relationship with S.T.A.R.S. has been a humbling sort of experience.
"You see for the riders and their families, sometimes, how much they've been through -- the obstacles they've had to face and sometimes, overcome," she said.
Despite being hundreds of miles from Sioux City, the Wheelers won't completely sever ties with Siouxland.
"We leave with difficulty, but we are not totally walking away," said Mark.
"But old guys like us need to fade into the background," Sue said with a smile at her husband. "S.T.A.R.S. has so much to look forward to."
VITA
Name: Mark Wheeler
Hometown: Whitefish, Mont.
Education: 1967 graduate of Whitefish High School; awarded a bachelor's degree in biology from Carleton College, Northfield, Minn. in 1971; medical school at the University of Chicago until 1975; completed residency and fellowship from the University of Iowa in 1980
Professional: Orthopedic surgeon in Siouxland since 1981 until his retirement this year.
Name: Susan Wheeler
Hometown: Lakeville, Minn.
Education: 1967 graduate of Lakeville High School; awarded a bachelor's degree in psychology from Carleton College, Northfield, Minn. in 1971; awarded an associate's degree in animal husbandry from Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1978;
Professional: Private riding lessons; overseeing the farming operation
Personal: Married to Mark since 1972; one son Scott
How they're making a difference: Through their involvement with S.T.A.R.S. (Special Troopers Adaptive Riding School).
It's not just a pony ride.
Dr. Mark Wheeler, along with his wife Susan, made that assertion as they reflected on founding the school and discussed their retirement next month. The Wheelers moved to Sioux City in 1981 so Mark could practice as an orthopedic surgeon. Sue was developing the Wheelers' stable at the time and giving private lessons.
In 1983, they saw a special on television about a horseback riding program serving persons with disabilities.
"I told Mark we could do that," she said. "We could pull that off."
At that time the Wheelers were not aware of any programs that paired horses with riders in need of therapy. Sue, who has a bachelor's degree in psychology and an associate's in animal husbandry, took a training course at the Cheff Center for the Handicapped in Michigan to become certified to teach.
"When I returned, we discovered there was another program in place at the Stock Yards, so we met with them to coordinate," Sue said.
The riding program was officially adopted by the Wheelers in 1984 from the 4-H group which decided to disband it because of the time and expense involved. The Wheelers set up the program with nonprofit status and a board of directors.
The program continued to grow and expanded to year-round in 1996 when a barn was donated and moved to the parcel of land at 33148 -- K22, about a mile north of Sioux City on five acres of land that the Wheelers had donated.
"I think, before that, people assumed Sue and I owned the S.T.A.R.S., even though it had been independently set up years before," Mark said. "I think once we had that barn, the program had its own identity and really took off."
Having its own identity has always been paramount for the Wheelers. Especially now, as they prepare for retirement and their move from Sioux City to the Black Hills.
"I've had people approach me and ask, 'What's going to happen to the program when you leave?'" Sue said. "I tell them it will continue."
The Wheelers have served on the S.T.A.R.S. board of directors for 24 years, said Jessie Christopherson executive director of the school.
"Dr. and Mrs. Wheeler have been exceptional contributors, neighbors and friends," she said. "The S.T.A.R.S. riders, staff and board of directors extend their thanks and wishes them the very best for the future."
In their enthusiasm and confidence in the program's future, the Wheelers are donating an additional 20 acres of their property to the S.T.A.R.S. program. Mark Wheeler said the best part of being associated with the program is the many people who are members of the S.T.A.R.S. family.
"It's not just the board, who are terrific," he said. "It's the riders, the volunteers and the families. They are unbelievable. They give back to us far more than we ever could give to them."
For Sue Wheeler, her relationship with S.T.A.R.S. has been a humbling sort of experience.
"You see for the riders and their families, sometimes, how much they've been through -- the obstacles they've had to face and sometimes, overcome," she said.
Despite being hundreds of miles from Sioux City, the Wheelers won't completely sever ties with Siouxland.
"We leave with difficulty, but we are not totally walking away," said Mark.
"But old guys like us need to fade into the background," Sue said with a smile at her husband. "S.T.A.R.S. has so much to look forward to."
VITA
Name: Mark Wheeler
Hometown: Whitefish, Mont.
Education: 1967 graduate of Whitefish High School; awarded a bachelor's degree in biology from Carleton College, Northfield, Minn. in 1971; medical school at the University of Chicago until 1975; completed residency and fellowship from the University of Iowa in 1980
Professional: Orthopedic surgeon in Siouxland since 1981 until his retirement this year.
Name: Susan Wheeler
Hometown: Lakeville, Minn.
Education: 1967 graduate of Lakeville High School; awarded a bachelor's degree in psychology from Carleton College, Northfield, Minn. in 1971; awarded an associate's degree in animal husbandry from Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1978;
Professional: Private riding lessons; overseeing the farming operation
Personal: Married to Mark since 1972; one son Scott
How they're making a difference: Through their involvement with S.T.A.R.S. (Special Troopers Adaptive Riding School).
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