Lisa A. Gatti to be Honored with 2026 Spes Unica Award
The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University will present the St. Louise de Marillac Spes Unica Award to Lisa A. Gatti, founder of Pal-O-Mine, at the annual “Evening of Hope” on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The event will take place at Terrace on the Park in Flushing, Queens, from 5:30 to 9:30 pm. Ms. Gatti will deliver the keynote address.
Lisa A. Gatti has had a lifelong love affair with horses — a passion that inspired her to launch Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, a nonprofit that provides a comprehensive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning, and healing for children and adults with disabilities, veterans, people on the autism spectrum, individuals with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, cancer survivors, and others.
The organization has grown enormously since its founding in 1995, with 25 horses, a vocational program, and much more at its 13-acre farm in Islandia, N.Y.
Gatti, who began her career as a special education teacher, helps local government identify the most crucial issues facing the special needs population as a member of the Town of Islip Disability Advisory Committee, and she chairs the Board of Directors of global equine-assisted psychotherapy organization EAGALA.
Gatti served on the board of Autism Communities, lending her expertise on vocational opportunities for those on the spectrum. These experiences helped Gatti shape Pal-O-Mine into one of the nation’s most-trusted therapeutic equine organizations. She has an 18-year-old daughter, the pride and joy of her life.
“Evening of Hope” begins at 5:30 pm. Participation will support the charitable works of the Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University. Tickets will be available for $150.00. Registration will open soon,
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