Executive Director

Savannah Station has now been in its Forever Home for over two years! God continues to bless the program in monumental ways. The therapeutic riding program is expanding by leaps and bounds with an equally growing waiting list. The volunteer force has grown to over 150 strong and helps in so many ways to fill in the gaps where we are running thin. We currently have three instructors in training who will soon be leading their own classes to help take us to even greater levels of service.

A new 3,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose office addition will be breaking ground this summer, allowing us to establish the goal of doubling the number of families we serve by 2025. With that in mind, the need for additional personnel has quickly bubbled to the top. Last year, three new staff members joined the team; all God sent to fill much needed positions:

Now we are excited to welcome two new part-time staff members to help Savannah Station continue expanding services:

God has assembled a great team, along with a great Board to lead Savannah Station forward in fulfilling His purposes. I am so thankful and blessed to be a part of it. Thank you for joining us!

With great expectations,

Meet our brave cowboy, Rhett. Around the arena "Team Rhett" goes, singing Old MacDonald, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Wheels on the Bus. Rhett uses sign language for his horse to 'walk on,' and high fives in the direction of a right or left turn. "Rhett has been through a lot in his five years. He has Down Syndrome and is a cancer survivor. Every week, as a family (Dad and Mom are his side walkers) we get to put those issues on the back burner for an hour. Rhett has grown so much at Savannah Station. He had a rough start with lots of screaming and crying. With patience, structure, positive reinforcement, and consistency, Rhett is now thriving. We have been in-explicably blessed by Savannah Station and the opportunity for Rhett to just be a kid and have fun. He smiles and laughs now." - Joe and Keely Mallory

Capital Campaign UPDATE

"I know that Savannah Station raises money at the yearly Barn Gala, and that there are donors who give money throughout the year for the operational running of the campus and program. I am aware that some folks even give things and services, without cost to us. We have acquired some pretty big stuff, too, like fencing, and the painting of all of the buildings! But I have heard rumors that a whole new building is going to be built! Is that true? How do we pay for that?”

This fictional questioner is raising some pretty good questions! May I introduce you to the Capital Campaign Committee! I am on both the Board of Directors and a member of the Capital Campaign Committee, so I am in a good position to answer. There are essentially two buckets of money that fund Savannah Station.

Bucket #1 is the Operational Funds, and the questioner above gave an accurate explanation about how that works. Both the Gala and individual friends of Savannah Station fund the daily expenses to run the program. This funding depends primarily on folks like me and you, who love the riders and the program, and who give regularly to Savannah Station.

Bucket # 2 is the Capital Funds, which are collected by a small committee of people who meet regularly, and who approach larger donors to supply the money for our major needs. These donors may be individuals, but are usually companies and corporations. This committee stays active until very specific goals are reached. It began working in May of 2022, and will remain active until our current goals are accomplished.

The first big goal on our list was money to build a new 3,000 sq. ft. building for offices and general use space. This goal has been accomplished, and plans are currently at the architect’s office for completion! We should break ground just to the north of the existing barn this year! The rumors are true, and we are excited in a major way. The new building will make possible the expansion of staff and programming for future years.

The Capital Campaign is comprised of individuals who volunteer to spend the extra time it takes to do this. It is an exciting job with good friends. If you have questions or want to join us, please contact:

Celebrating Savannah Station's 10th Anniversary is this year's major fundraiser of the year. This fundraiser keeps our riders in the saddle receiving their weekly equine assisted therapeutic services at no cost to their families. This fun-filled event includes a live and silent auction, buffet dinner, cash bar, and lots of ways to help make a difference in the lives of our special riders! Individual Gala tickets are $75 and can be purchased in the office. The following link has a complete list of available sponsorship opportunities: 10th Anniversary Gala Sponsorship. Thank you for your support!

Sponsorship opportunities are now available, please contact 580-303-2028 to reserve your table! 

Summer Camp 2023

We are excited to announce two new Summer opportunities for you to be a part of. This summer there will be a one week Summer Camp for riders on our waiting list. Some have been waiting over a year! The second opportunity will be held on Tuesdays throughout the summer for volunteers and all students.

1. Summer Camp is for students on the waitlist, this will be a one week session running June 5-9 from 9am-noon - Monday through Friday. We will have three riding classes per day: 9am / 10am / 11am. If you can help for this week or a portion of the week please contact Blu Phillips at pm@savannahstation.org. Your help will be greatly appreciated! We are so excited to offer this to the students on our waitlist.

2. Every Tuesday starting June 13th and running through July 25th from 9am-10am a new weekly opportunity will be available for ALL students and ALL volunteers to come feed our horses and read a short story to them. We will not be riding during this time but we will learn/do barn chores. If you are able to help on Tuesdays please contact Blu Phillips at pm@savannahstation.org.

• Summer Camp June 5-9; Mon-Fri 9am-noon

• Summer Tuesdays June 13-July 25; Tuesdays 9am-10am

Hold onto Your Horses!

Our spring 2023 Senior’s-in-the-Saddle program is a class designed for senior adults age 75 and above with a focus on strength building, flexibility and memory retention. Watch out World, there's nothing these trailblazers can't do!

As our riders grow into young adults, we saw an opportunity to offer a pilot program that would teach them horsemanship skills while also teaching them life skills and perhaps future career skills. The Ground Class, led by Lesley Shedeck, was offered over a six week period this Spring. The verdict is unanimous! All the participants learned so much and had such a great experience learning horse behavior as well as learning to lead, groom, feed and muck that this new class has a bright future at Savannah Station.

Spotlight on a horse

Beauty was born in 2001 and is a rescued, Black American Quarter Horse.

Beauty is a black, quarter-horse mare rescued in 2008. She was not beautiful at the time, but her eyes held the promise of a better future. Today she is a well-loved therapeutic riding horse— beautiful inside and out! Her riders love her kind and gentle spirit. One rider claims “Bewty” is her twin sister because they both have dark hair. Beauty is a natural at tuning into her riders, knowing intuitively when to make them work a little harder to be her leader.

The goal of the school year was for Treyton to sit still for 20 seconds. Just 20 seconds. For some, 20 seconds is nothing at all, but for others it all starts with 20 seconds. Treyton's first day at Savannah Station was under the 20-second mark. He threw himself down onto the arena dirt near a very understanding horse named Beauty. She looked at him and he looked at her and there was an instant connection. The following week, with Beauty's patience, and a team of volunteers, Treyton rode Beauty! Not a pin drop was heard in the barn and there were tears all around. No one knew what to expect, no one but Treyton and Beauty. Treyton's first ride was short, maybe only 30-40 seconds. He was fidgety, nervous and needed certain toys to hold in his hand. As the school year progressed, he no longer needed the toys and simply laid down and hugged his horse. By the end of the school year, that short first ride turned into 10, 15 and even 20 minutes of pure connection. "Treyton rides with pure joy and he has the brightest smile in the barn," his instructor, Andi said. "He found his peace while on a horse. He is never ready to get off." Since his time riding Beauty, Treyton is able to sit for more than 20 minutes. That means being able to have lunch with his classmates, learning life skills, or playing a game. Treyton found a place to connect. Someone to understand him. That was Beauty. She gave Treyton her peace, courage and her heart.

Q & A with Volunteers

1. What inspired you to volunteer? A couple of years ago I received a call from Tom Manske inviting my husband and I to the Savannah Station fundraiser. I had already committed to another event and could not attend.  But, I believe God had a hand in that phone call.  I had recently retired and was looking for something fulfilling and meaningful to do with my newfound extra time. I told Tom I would definitely be attending the next volunteer orientation, which I did, and have been volunteering for over a year and a half now.

2. My favorite part of volunteering is the interaction with the riders.  

My Dad always told me I have “the gift of gab.” (I think he was politely saying I talk too much!) I enjoy having conversation with the riders, both verbal and non-verbal. Their responses and/or reactions show me how important the riding sessions are to them. From the minute they get in that saddle, it’s big smiles and excited giggles. For that period of time, THEY are in control.

3. What would you say to someone considering volunteering here? In volunteering we give our time freely, but you will receive far more than you give. The rewards, in my experience with Savannah Station, have been priceless. The courage, strength and determination of the amazing riders is contagious! I leave each class feeling happy, more grateful and definitely fulfilled.

4. What do you like to do outside of your time at Savannah Station? I love babysitting and spending time with my grandkids.  I have two dogs that are completely spoiled. I am a huge OKC Thunder fan and attend all of their home games. I enjoy going to live concerts and musical theater.

1. What inspired you to volunteer? My son and his family volunteer in the special needs community in Edmond. When I saw that I could do the same AND with horses I was easily onboard.

2. My Favorite part is during classes. It is ALWAYS seeing the kids with smiles on their faces and their nonstop talking and feeling proud of themselves. How could I not want to be a part of that! Also, getting to play the cowgirl role while feeding and loving on the horses -NOT in the city!

3. What would you say to someone considering volunteering here? Anyone looking for a place to give time and energy to volunteer, come out to Savannah Station where you feel the family connection and where everyone looks out for one another.

4. What do you like to do outside of your time at Savannah Station? When I am not there with the kids, friends and horses, I volunteer in a few Yukon schools. I started when my grandsons were at Parkland Elementary School. Now that the oldest is graduating I doubt anything changes because I have friends throughout the school district. Other than that I enjoy working in the yard.

Savannah Station's next Volunteer Orientation will be held on Thursday, June 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Diamond Arena at Savannah Station. No experience with horses or with special needs is required, just a heart willing to help others. Wear protective shoes and come ready to play in the dirt. Please RSVP to pm@savannahstation.org. Thank you!