Draped in Draper

Kyla Makhloghi, right, won the “Draped In Draper” contest at the Winter Equestrian Festival in 2011. Kat Wojtylak, second from right, is encouraging everyone to enter this year’s Draped In Draper contest for a chance to win $1,500 in Draper products. Visit the Draper website at www.drapertherapies.com to learn about the contest. (Photos courtesy of Sportfot)

One lucky grand prize winner will find themselves decked out from head to toe in therapeutic products from us in 2012, thanks to the “Draped In Draper” raffle. The raffle will take place during the Winter Equestrian Festival and Global Dressage Festival, where owners, trainers, grooms and horse enthusiasts attending the shows can all enter to win $1,500 in Draper Therapies products.

The grand prize winner will take home $1,100 in Draper Therapy products and two runner-ups will each receive $200 worth of products. The winners will be able to choose anything from the full line of products offered in our canine, equine or human lines. Last year Kyla Makhloghi, a trainer from New England, won the ‘Draped In Draper’ contest during the Winter Equestrian Festival and she couldn’t have been more thrilled. It was exciting to be able to provide that opportunity to her.

The “Draped in Draper” contest is designed to further Draper’s connection with the equestrian community in Wellington and find people and horses that will benefit from products made by Draper. To enter the contest, each entrant needs to submit an essay detailing why they could really use products for themselves or their horses. We are really looking forward to reading the essays because I know we are going to read some great and creative stories detailing how our therapeutic products can help change things in a positive way. The submissions collected will not only be counted toward the ‘Draped In Draper’ contest, but will be used to help further research and development of the Draper products.

To enter the “Draped In Draper” contest, submit an essay of at least 250 words, including your mailing address and phone number, by March 18^th, 2012. Entries will be accepted by email at info@drapertherapies.com or through direct mail to Draper Therapies, Draped in Draper Contest, 28 Draper Lane, Canton, MA 02021. The winner will be selected during the week of March 21^st  and winners will be chosen based on submissions, at the discretion of Draper Therapies.

For more information on Draper Therapies, and for a complete set of rules on the “Draped In Draper” contest, visit our website at www.drapertherapies.com.

New Year, New Resolutions

Every year we get wrapped into the idea of starting the year off fresh and accomplishing at least one thing we set our minds to. But how often do we actually meet our New Year’s Resolutions?

After reading about people already starting to make their lists for the New Year, I did some research to find out what most people are putting forward as a resolution. In no particular order here are the top ones I found: spend more time with family and friends, fit in fitness, tame the bulge, quit smoking, enjoy life more, quit drinking, get out of debt, learn something new, manage stress, take a trip,  help others and get organized. So pretty much every resolution fits into one of these categories and is your own personal variation on them, right?

Well, when you write out your list, what is it you’re after? What has inspired you to do something? I know recently I watched the movie The Bucket List and in doing so I got inspired. It’s a much bigger list of New Year’s resolutions that I wish to do before I “kick the bucket”. On a smaller scale however, I decided to accomplish one of those items off my list each year which turned into my New Years Resolutions. I broke it down to not stress myself out over too big a picture. Well what will really and truly get me there though? The video below is a great way to actually start applying your grand idea into something tangible that anyone can achieve.

One of my friend’s from my childhood decided to tour the world. This is something a lot of us say we’ll do eventually. Well guess what? She’s out there living her dream and experiencing new things she is completely and utterly scared of. She broke it down by country, starting with a road trip of the United States. What she is learning along the way is not only more about herself and her relationship with her partner, but all that the world has to offer. Lindsey planned and saved, and used the relationships she had with her friends to fill in the gaps and make her dream possible. She did everything she could, failed some along the way, but continued to pick herself up and never let that dream die. In the New Year, she’ll embark to another country and use everything she gained about the past year to enhance her adventures. She made it happen.  To learn more about Lindsey and Josh’s journey, read the Covey Krol World Tour.

We have a few weeks left before the New Year, so what is it that we’ll plan to accomplish in 2012 and have it become a reality instead of a fleeting thought?

Gifts That Keep On Giving

Thanksgiving is over and that means it’s the crazy, heartwarming, fun-filled month of holiday everything. We all celebrate the holidays a bit differently, church services, visiting with family, dinner parties, decorating, baking cookies and/or shopping; but regardless, it’s about coming together and being with the ones we love and going above and beyond.

As many of you know, or will come to know after this post, community aka our family of customers and vendors, is everything to us as a company. We truly pride ourselves on creating long lasting relationships with everyone we come in contact. Because of this, we find we have tons of friends everywhere we go and great conversations to be had. Yes, we create products that help people and animals live a healthier lifestyle, but it’s about much more than that.

I had the opportunity to go with my Aunt and Uncle this Thanksgiving to the Response to Love Center in my hometown of Buffalo, NY to volunteer and provide warm, healthy meals to the homeless. It was a humbling feeling to think that as I’m trying to conjure up shopping lists, a basic meal is hard to come by in some cases. It really was amazing to me how much I learned in those few hours about how anyone can create an opportunity for others, all they have to do is commit to helping.

One of our little “babies” we started a few years ago is the Draper Philanthropy Project and it’s just a way as a company that we try and give back, to provide more to those who may not have it. In this specific case it isn’t a warm meal, it’s about the battle one may face if diagnosed with adrenal cancer. We keep this dedicated blog to talk about everything going on in the field of adrenal cancer, but it’s a way of talking about life itself and cherishing all that is given to us, even in the smallest of packages.

So when you find yourself out and about this holiday season, just remember that you can do things to help which may be built into your holiday plan. Buy a tree, which you’re probably going to do anyways from a farm who will donate proceeds to a charity (such as Dutchman Tree Farms). Buy products whose proceeds will go to a charity you believe in or buy American made products to help keep jobs here in the US. Make a tax deductible donation, which will also help come tax time in another few weeks. Or just lend a helping hand. Each and everything will have a ripple effect of goodness.

With that said, all of us here are wishing you all the most magical holiday season with your family! We can’t wait to see all the wonderful things this season brings.

From our family to yours,

The Draper Therapies Team

NEW Product: Draper Canine Therapy® Dog Coat

We are SUPER proud to announce a new product for man’s best friend that will give  four-legged companions something new to bark about. Our new Dog Coats are available in a lightweight breathable design, offering a convenient way to deliver therapeutic benefits to your favorite pooch. Yay!

We gave our newsletter subscribers a chance to try samples of the Dog Coats out before they were put into production. It was a chance to get a feel for what our customers really wanted. The Dog Coats turned out wonderful. We used a design for the coats that our manufacturer, Saratoga Horseworks, has been using and improving upon for many years in the canine market. Draper already offers their customers Dog Beds, Cat Mats, Pet Mats and Doggie Wraps, and were excited about our newest addition to the lineup. The Dog Coats come in small (12″, 14″, 16″, 18″) for $50; medium (20″, 22″, 24″, 26″) for $60 and large (28″, 30″, 32″) for $80.”

One of my best “human” friends Erinn Troicke has been using the Draper Canine Therapy Dog Coat on her agility dog Cree and sent in a report about Cree wearing the coat. She said, “Cree wore her sheet before her class and she was absolutely super today! She hasn’t been feeling too good. The vet thinks allergies, so I have been putting her sheet on her quite a bit at home too. Today was the first she wore it on the way to class. She was really very good today.”

An additional benefit of the Draper Canine Therapy Dog Coat is that it works great as a layering item or it can be immersed in water to help cool even the hottest pooch. The Draper Canine Therapy Dog Coat contains 50% Celliant® (Polyester) and 50% Hydrotec. Celliant is a polyester based fiber that contains a blend of microscopic optically responsive particles. These inorganic natural minerals work with the energy released from the body and are designed to recycle this energy back to the body to improve health and overall well-being of the wearer. The natural minerals that make up the composition of Celliant are extruded into polyester when the fiber itself is being made. This process allows the properties of Celliant to last the life of the product and as such, Celliant will never wash or wear out. Dog Coats are washer and dryer safe and are available for pre-order today!

Dorly W.'s canine companion Murphy trialing out the Draper Canine Therapy Dog Coat in the early stages.

Draper Therapies Does Black Friday!

Well by golly I think Draper finally has it going on this upcoming Thanksgiving Day Weekend! Not only will some of our retailers such as Just Equus be taking place in the best sales we’ve seen in awhile, but we’ll be doing some of our own special deals too!
Here’s our deals below, but make sure you’re ramped and ready computer-side this Black Friday/Thanksgiving Weekend/Cyber Monday! We ALSO will be doing some limited edition products for stocking stuffers so be sure to check the website often!

Shop till you drop everyone! Or bug me on the live chat feature of our website all weekend long!

Plink-Antonio!

What????

Here's a hint to what Plink-Antonio means!

Do you give up yet? Well here’s what we’re really up to!

Draper Therapies Plinko!

We’re flying down to San Antonio, Texas for the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Annual Convention. Each year hundreds of local and international equine practitioners flock to the annual convention because they are given the opportunity to advance their medical skills, update their practice models and learn how to volunteer their veterinary expertise to make a difference in the world. Each year they take new strides toward improving the health and livelihood of horses. Draper Therapies will be attending as a exhibitor and will be present in booth #5083. Stop by if you will be in attendance, as we’ll be explaining more on the Celliant technology featured in our products and hosting giveaways with Plinko! See everyone in Texas!

 

Hats Off to Equine Affaire!

We had a blast at Equine Affaire!!! We met so many amazing people and realized we should be starting a horse hat business on the side Aside from that we thought we should share pictures from our adventures because after all, we learned a ton and had a great time. That’s what Equine Affaire is all about!

Wendy and I playing around with dimensions in the Classic Equine Equipment booth! We sported our fancy hats all day long and REALLY got noticed!

Wendy and her new friend Jennifer with the equally as awesome straw version of our hats!

Kat in the Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue booth with her friend who has long ears too!

Working on my awful balance at the Balance Rider booth. I already sit on an exercise ball at work, but this is pretty cool!

Our new friend at the USEF booth, he couldn't wait to have his picture taken with two awesome horses...ladies!

Going a little crazy after being locked up indoors all day!

Karin and Kat donning their hats in the NEDA Booth. Anything to help get our wonderful organization noticed! FYI Kat and Karin both sit on the NEDA Board.

Equine Affaire Version 2.0

Are you intrigued?

 

 

 

How about now?

 

Last year we decided just to go and walk Equine Affaire. We donned some pretty awesome white wigs and this year we decided to step it up. We’ll be handing out some equally as fantastic goodies, but with improved outfits. This picture is of Wendy and I (from the front) as what we’ll look like as we’re walking around. The picture below is what we’ll look like from the back, even though I’ve decided to sport some green wings as I want to go as Wendy’s horse fly.

We’ll be at the show all day on November 11th in Springfield, MA. So if you spot us, come say hi as friends, customers and new acquaintances! We’ll be giving away close to $1,500 worth of products AND dishing out coupons that will save you 20% on your next/first order! We look forward to having a blast with all of you again

NEW Product: Draper Equine Therapy® Stable Sheet

Our new Draper Equine Therapy^® Stable Sheet is not only stylish and offers excellent therapeutic benefits for your favorite equine, but it’s also so much more than your average horse ware! We’re proud to announce that our new Stable Sheet fits the Draper standards of high quality, American-made items that are best of all, clinically proven holistic products.

We’ve has been working tirelessly to redesign our old Stable Blanket into a product that can be used in a wider variety of climates. Similar to a cotton sheet, this lightweight and very durable Stable Sheet has been designed to keep shavings at bay, wick away moisture and above all provide the therapeutic benefits that horses have been acheiving from the Draper products for years now. Designing the fabric to do everything we wanted has taken almost a year-and-a-half, and I am excited to say that it has exceeded our expectations, including how beautifully it drapes over the horses shape!

The Draper Equine Therapy Stable Sheets are machine washable and dryer safe with features like reinforced nylon shoulder guards to protect against rubs. The Stable Sheet also includes leg strap D-rings. The cost is $225 and they are available in black with either burgundy or navy trim in the following sizes: 70″, 72″, 74″, 76″, 78″, 80″, 82″, 84″ and 86″. Pre-ordering of the Stable Sheet is now available, as well as wholesaling opportunities.

We continually strive to better our products through education, testing, customer feedback and their esteemed Advisory Board. I love working for a company that has built long term relationships with its customers through dedication, honest communication and expertise. This year when we launched our website, we truly took the components of our brand and put them out there for everyone to see, we’re not just a company making products, but we’re designing a lifestyle too, it’s amazing being a part of this. That’s why when we get to work on something like the new Stable Sheet, it’s a group effort on so many levels.

Stable Sheet Binding Colors, will come with White Piping

NEDA Fall Symposium

Every auditor in attendance will receive one of these from Draper Therapies. Take a read below to find out more!

The NEDA (New England Dressage Association) Fall Symposium and Awards Banquet featuring Kyra Kyrkland will kick-off on Saturday, November 5th, with demonstrations from various horse and rider combinations with a chance for Kyra to comment and answer questions throughout the weekend. Kyra is a world renowned dressage rider and trainer bringing immense knowledge and experience to the riders and auditors of the Fall Symposium. During the NEDA Fall Symposium, Draper Therapies will have a booth available for product display and demonstrations, as well as to complete the raffle below.

Draper Therapies will be doing something completely different for this event. Each auditor in attendance at the event will receive the card above. The Draped in Health Bracelet which is attached is typically sold on the Draper website for a $1.00. A 100% of that $1.00 goes back to the Draper Philanthropy Project whose funds go to support the Spencer Bell Endowment Fund which furthers research in the field of adrenal cancer. To learn more about the Draper Philanthropy Project, please visit our website, but to understand what this has to do with participants of the symposium, keep reading.

For every auditor who is in attendance, Draper Therapies will make a donation to the Spencer Bell Endowment Fund on behalf of NEDA. Second, for every person who wears their bracelet and comes to the Draper booth wearing it (with their entry form), will be eligible to score some awesome prizes. It’s all about sharing the health and wellness! And please remember what the bracelets mean, if you’re not interested in wearing them, you can always return them or pass them along.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the symposium and having an absolute blast!