September 2024 Volunteer Spotlight!
Smiling Side-Walkers!
Ms. Brenda side-walking with rider Emma on Ringo and helping her play Twister on Horseback!!
Ms. Brenda Loves Neve!
Ms. Brenda can be seen here leading her favorite horse Neve!
Rain or Shine!
Ms. Brenda comes out to volunteer rain or shine to help out our riders! The last two Saturdays have been more rain than shine.
Brenda Olsen
Our first volunteer spotlight of our new Fall 2024 session is Brenda Olsen!!
Brenda started volunteering with us in October 2023 and has been dedicating her Saturdays to us ever since! She always arrives at the barn with a smile and is wonderful working with our riders! Ms. Brenda is always willing to help wherever needed in lessons, and is a skilled leader and side-walker! She helps engage riders in their lessons without distracting them from their goals, and is always willing to learn new things! We are so happy to have her as part of our Hands and Hearts for Horses family!
Check out our spotlight interview with Ms. Brenda below!
1. What motivated you to volunteer at Hands and Hearts for Horses?
I had been considering volunteer opportunities for a few months. And, while I have known about the value and incredible outcomes for equine therapy for years, I didn’t know much about local programs. I had a horse growing up in North Florida but hadn’t had much interaction with horses for years. I happened to see a spotlight on the program on WCTV and thought that volunteering for Hands and Hearts for Horses would be a great combination of interacting with horses while nurturing my desire to help support people who benefit from the program. It seemed like a win-win for all of us!
2. Do you have a Hands and Hearts for Horses moment you can share? (Funny, heartwarming, meaningful, memorable, favorite, etc)
I have so many fond moments while interacting with the horses, the riders and the other volunteers/staff. It is always rewarding to see the extraordinary change in the riders from the beginning of the lesson to when they dismount. And the smiles when the rider accomplishes a task they have been working on. I have two fond memories of horses that are connected. One day after working with Neve and putting her out to pasture, she met me at the fence by my car then followed my car down the fence line as I drove away. At the time I thought it was coincidental. Then the very next week, when a volunteer brought Neve out of the bar, Neve headed straight to me and buried her head in my chest! Coincidence? Maybe. But I will always have a connection with that gentle giant.
3. Who is your favorite horse at Hands and Hearts for Horses and why?
No doubt about it…Neve. She is a sweet gentle giant with expressive eyes and whit. And neither of us can trot, so we make a good pair!
4. What's one piece of advice you would give a new volunteer?
Give freely of you time and heart to those in need and you will receive tenfold over.
5. How long have you been volunteering with Hands and Hearts for Horses?
About 1 year