Satisfaction: There is an emotion of self satisfaction surrounding everyone who allows them self to be immersed in the culture of Horses Help. Volunteers come to our center with something special in their heart to give. This emotion differs for everyone. Team members are constantly working to create new programs and improve existing ones. Horses donated to the center experience a renewed sense of purpose, while working with the special abilities community, which lasts well into their senior years. The common thread found between all of these groups.......a personal satisfaction which heals the heart and warms the soul.

Gregg Goodman Executive Director

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Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes. They are the backbone of Horses Help. Horses Help has a profound positive effect on our volunteer's as evidenced by these comments:

Special Recognition: Scholarship Winner

Kyren Hunt: In March of 2006, I heard about Horses Help.  Although I dreaded getting up early on Saturdays, I thought it would be a fun way to volunteer.  Through the 170 hours that I have spent here, Horses Help has become my favorite place.  The biggest reward for me has been seeing the smiles on riders' faces as they learn something new, talking with fellow volunteers, and working with the horses.  I have enjoyed my experience here and hope to continue serving this organization.

TTFN, Kyren

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" I want to thank you for what you do and who you are. I had the chance for only a few hours to experience and do the things that you get to do daily. In my time there I witnessed how Don courageously dealt with his disability. I had recently lost my daughter durning childbirth. I reflected on whether she would have been as strong and wonderful as Don and, if she had a disability, whether I would be as strong as Don's parents. I decided I would be because life alone is precious enough to be strong for. These beautiful animals help the children and then helped me. Thank you."

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"Dear Gregg,

I am writing to express my thanks to you, Lisa and Barb for offering the "Horsemanship Classes" this summer.  I am grateful to have been a part of this unique program...both courses 101-102.  Barbara Beard provided the expert instruction with the perfect balance of classroom time followed by ample time for hands-on guided practice with the special horses that live and work at the barn.  Barb's lessons were delivered with a high level of expertise, imagination, and humor, while recognizing the varied experiential background levels of her students.  Each lesson was rich with basic, important facts and information presented in a clear, precisely structured manner.  She often laced parts of her lessons with an interesting historical perspective.  Successive lessons buiilt upon, and incorporated "learnings" from previous lessons.  She not only explained and demonstrated "how", but more importantly "why" in such topics as stabling, grooming, food and water and recognizing health issues.  These courses helped to extend my knowledge and understanding of Hrosemanship, and I hope will enable me to ba a more capable and confident volunteer.  In addition, these courses have fostered a deeper appreciation of the complex, hard work, and the vital contributions you all make to ensure the continued success of Horses Help. 

Again, I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to learn and benefit from the life-long dedication, expertise and fine teaching skill of Barbara Beard.

Sincerely,

Claudia

PS When does Course 103 begin, sign me up!

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"Walking next to the riders and seeing their excitement was amazing!

Daniel R.

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"It was a great opportunity. Seeing the expressions on the children's faces is something I will not forget. Thank you for the opportunity. I wll be back."

Juan R.

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Riders Stories

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Sean

Shawn grew up in the Pacific Northwest where she had an active lifestyle excelling at hiking, water skiing, and competitive body building. Hand and arm tremors of an undetermined cause forced her to stop weightlifting at age 21. By the time Shawn was 25, she had to abandon her active life style because of increasing physical problems. That’s when she learned she had Multiple Sclerosis, a chronic neurological disease that strikes adults in the prime years of their lives. Shawn eventually had to use a leg brace and a cane and she became so focused on her loss instead of what she could still do that she completely stopped exercising.

In 2002 Shawn moved to Arizona with her husband and child where she learned of Horses Help through a neighbor. Shawn began riding in 2003 with remarkable results. She has gained strength in her left side, and her balance, posture, and hip alignment continue to improve. Shawn’s weekly riding sessions brought her back in touch with the joys of exercise, so much so that she regularly exercises at a local gym. At age 44, Shawn states that “riding gives me a sense of freedom!”

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Marisa

Marisa is a 20 year old young woman that has been with Horses Help for three years. She sought therapeutic riding services after a specific interest in being with horses. Marissa is living with severe injuries sustained in a violent car crash that proved fatal to the other passenger, her grandmother. She is experiencing a transformation in the quality of her life and her story is much like others at our center because through great personal effort, she is achieving the impossible. Marisa graduated from high school in 2003 where she was a cheerleader and active on both the swim and softball teams. The accident occurred while visiting her grandmother that summer after graduation. Marisa’s severe head injuries left her unable to speak, paralyzed on her entire right side, and with amnesia.  Four months later, when Marisa began riding at Horse Help, she was unable sit up straight, and definitely could not ride without assistance. Over three years, therapeutic horseback riding has increased Marisa’s strength, balance, coordination, speech and language skills, her memory and outlook on life. Her riding skills and confidence have increased to such a level that in early 2007, Marisa took 1st place for her age group in her very first riding competition!