|
|
|
|
Important Dates
|
Horse Leader Training Level I
May 11
Program Volunteer Training
May 14
Captain/CiT Meeting
May 18
Horse Leader Training Level I
May 26
Program Volunteer Training
May 30
Closed in recognition of Memorial Day
|
|
Arena Volunteer Shifts
|
Thank you to all the volunteers who made the first two weeks of session such a success!
We still need to fill 25 permanent slots! If you're interested in helping in a class or two, please contact
Dana LaRue.
Substitute shifts are now posted for the remainder of May on
Volgistics.
If you need help using this feature, please read these
instructions
or call 425-882-1554.
Don't see a shift in your availability? Check back! The site is updated often to reflect class needs.
|
Volunteer Appreciation Prize Winners
|
Congratulations to our Winter Session
Volunteer
Appreciation Prize Winners:
Debbie Bacon
Caitlyn Johnson
Pat Johnston
Linda Mackin
Don't forget to play our Volunteer Appreciation game the week of June 13-18 for the chance to win more cool prizes!
Thank you to Starbucks, Garlic Jim's, and Melanie Renk for supporting Little Bit volunteers!
|
|
|
The 12th Annual Governor's Volunteer Service Awards was held on April 11 at the Executive Mansion in Olympia. We are incredibly proud to announce that our very own Samantha Maynard and Alana Andrews made the list of honorable mention nominees.
Thank you for doing your part to make
Washington
11th among the 50 states and DC in volunteerism!
For more information - news release, proclamation, the
honorees, and the list of honorable mention nominees, please visit Serve Washington.
|
|
|
|
Win a Horse for Little Bit!
|
Little Bit has been nominated to win a horse from the LexLin Gypsy Ranch Gift Pro
gram in
July 2016.
In order
to win, we need your help!
You may cast a vote
daily for your favorite therapeutic riding center until June 11. The top 10 centers with the most votes will win one of these fabulous
Gypsy Horses
!
Please make a note to yourself to vote every day and share this with your friends and family.
|
|
Upcoming Training Opportunities
|
 |
|
|
Yvonne Bradeen leading Scooter. |
Paddock Training:
Weekly, Spring Session
Mon, 5 - 6 PM
Tues, 4 - 5 PM
Wed,
4 - 5 PM
Thurs, 11 - 12 PM
Fri, 4 - 5 PM
Paddock Tra
ined volunteers can catch and turn out horses.
Horse Leader Level I
Fri, May 6, 7:15 - 9 PM
Wed, May 18, 6 - 8 PM
Horse Leaders are responsible for helping their horse follow directions in class. Volunteers must be Paddock Trained in order to participate.
Horse Leader Level II
Wed, June 15
, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
An
excellent opportunity to brush up on or expand your leading skills!
Please email
Melanie Renk
to sign up for a Horse Leader Training! Those interested in Paddock Training can sign up in the Tack Barn.
|
|
31st Annual Reins of Life Auction
|
Thank you to the 56 volunteers who made our
Reins of Life Auction such a success!
The Auction was fant
astic! A
festively decorated venue, the truly awesome Walk of Little Bit, well-organized
silent
auctions, new and returning attendees, and a plethora of denim, diamonds, and boots!
Little Bit raised over $340,000! This fundraiser will help expand the Little Bit Community, as well as provide opportunities to expand and enrich our donor base. Thank you to all who helped before, during, and after the event
. We can't wait to see you again next year!
|
|
Summer Camp
|
We would love to have YOUR help with summer camp. There's a different camp running each week from July 5 through August 18.
Camps are Monday-Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm. Volunteer help is needed in the arena in the morning and afternoon.
Please email
Dana
LaRue
t
o
help with one shift, an entire camp week, or more!
|
|
|
|
|
Volunteer Spotlight: Kiya Tafoya
|
What made you decide to volunteer at Little Bit? What keeps you coming back?
I had just moved into the Seattle area and I was looking for a place to combine my love for horses and special needs individuals. I googled equine riding centers and Little Bit was at the top of the page. I checked out the website and it was so professional and inviting that I signed up to get information. Your team got back to me immediately and the rest is history. Working with the riders and all the other volunteers in such an encouraging, positive and friendly environment is wha
t keeps me coming back!
|
|
|
|
Kiya leading Della before class.
|
Do you have a favorite Little Bit moment you can share?
There are so many amazing moments, but one that stands out happened recently. One of the riders in a hippo therapy class recently shared with our team that for the first time in his life, he no longer required a feeding tube, rather he can now eat real food and he was so excited! Both of his therapists asked if he thought riding had anything to do with this huge change in his life and he responded with a resounding "YES"! It was beyond exciting and I felt so honored to have been a part of the team working with him and sharing in this moment in his life.
What's one little-known fact about you?
I back packed around central Europe for six weeks the summer after my freshmen year in college.
Do you have any past or current volunteer experience at other places?
I currently volunteer for several weeks each summer in Stanwood at the Warm Beach Conference Center working with their Special Friends Camp. This is an outdoor/activity oriented day camp/overnight camp for anyone 15 and older with any type of special need. This summer will be my 7th year working at the camp.
What do you love to do when you're not volunteering?
I love spending time with my family. I really enjoy traveling both locally and internationally. I love a good book. I love spending time in the outdoors; hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, walking, running and taking pictures when I can.
*
Kiya joined our volunteer team in February 2015. Since then, she has given over 155 hours to Little Bit, trained to become a Level II Leader, and is currently a Captain-in-Training. You can say hello to her in the arena on Thursdays. Thank you, Kiya!
|
Meet our Staff: Kelly Chaplin
|
What do you do here, including your official title?
I am the Adaptive Services Director. I manage the Instructors and am in charge of scheduling all Adaptive Activities. I am in charge of the annual Horse Shows and the annual PATH On-Site Workshop & Certification. I also teach some lessons, school horses, and handle for hippotherapy treatments throughout the week.
How long have you worked for Little Bit?
I started at Little Bit in January 2007, so I have been here 9 years! I also did a Summer Internship here in 2005.
What do you love most about Little Bit?
I absolutely love working both with horses and people with disabilities. There is a great community feel when it comes to these areas--the people involved with therapeutic riding centers are incredibly generous, open minded, compassionate, and hardworking! Plus, I get to work outside and it's something different every day-and it's incredibly fulfilling (physically, mentally, and emotionally). I definitely have happy moments, and learning opportunities every day. It's a dream come true to work here!
|
|
|
Kelly Chaplin and her niece, Astyr. |
Do you have a fun story to share about Little Bit?
I think any time I have to do an impromptu Unmounted Lesson I end up having the most fun with the riders and volunteers! There is so much to do around here besides ride horses--it's always an unexpected treat!
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
Running, my dog Reno, Michael Jackson, reading, music, dancing, nannying my one year old niece, hiking, and ultimate frisbee.
What is the one place or country you would like to visit?
Norway! (I'd like to ride a Fjord on a fjord!)
Do you have a favorite food or drink?
Cinnamon Rolls!
Tell us something fun about yourself.
I have a fraternal twin sister!
|
|
|
Archived Volunteer Bulletins
|
|
|
| Become our Fan on Facebook! |
Little Bit on
Facebook to
stay informed about events, horses, and more!
|
Thanks for reading and thank you for your service!
|
|
| |
|
