READY, SET, RIDE
By: Mia, 11, (aka lovemydog101)

Hi my name is Mia and I volunteer at Ready, Set, Ride, a therapeutic horse riding recreation facility. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s a place where children with both mental and physical disabilities ride horses and get therapy. As a volunteer, I don’t interact much with the kids, but I still am touched by the experience and think that it is amazing that something as insignificant as riding a horse and playing games can make such a significant change in a child’s life. 

I know I don’t have the right to say that I’ve changed anything in someone’s life, that is not the point I’m trying to make. But when I see those children on those horses, finally feeling at home, finally fitting in, making a connection, and feeling a little more free, I know that the foundation has changed and touched the lives of many. It is an amazing experience.

If you would like to learn more, or if you are interested in helping those who are unable to help themselves by donating or even volunteering, please take the time to go to www.readysetride.org

HORSES FOR HOPE
By: Madalyn, 11, (aka kitty_kitty)

This summer I volunteered for a program called Horses for Hope. Horses for Hope is a program to help people with special needs by therapeutic horse back riding. Things I’ll do there will be grooming horses, tacking up, leading horses, and maybe feeding. I think it’s great that someone cares about the special needs people enough to start this program! This program will help special needs people gain confidence and help them know that just because there are some things they can’t do there are other things they can do better! I haven’t started yet, but I can’t wait to get started! This program sounds great and if you like horses and are interested in helping people with special needs you should look for something in your area!