Andi Holland
Executive Director
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Big Changes in the New Year
We knew when we moved to our Forever Home that God had great plans in store for Savannah Station. But I don’t think any of us could have imagined the rapid growth we have experienced in such a short time since moving the program in May of 2021. As we open the door to 2024, our Board and staff have set some lofty goals for this year focused on building a stable foundation for the continued growth of our program. As one board member accurately stated, "Daunting, but good!" In future additions of the newsletter, you will be hearing of our progress.
Part of our plan took effect with the new year and includes several staff promotions that will add to the firm foundation being built for Savannah Station. Chris Watson is our new Equine Manager. Starting as a volunteer and working into a staff position, Chris has been taking the lead in caring for our growing herd of 15 horses. She is doing a great job and now officially has the title!
Brooke Gamble is now our very first Volunteer Coordinator! With over 200 volunteers serving in the program, it is necessary to have someone dedicated to their care. We are so happy to welcome Brooke to this important position!
Mecca Lovick is now our Bookkeeping Manager. We have been outsourcing the bookkeeping duties of the organization but now will have them back in-house along with a new data management system under Mecca's watchful eye.
Several major projects are underway including the new expanded waiting room for our schools and families. This space is so important for our school students who come in large groups and for our families who are waiting with their other children while class is underway. It will be a warm and comfortable space for them to gather with plenty of stimulating toys and games to keep them busy and learning. We are grateful to Jimmy and Kimberly Tilley for sponsoring this important expansion and to Randy Clonts for making sure this nurturing space is climate controlled.
We have high expectations for 2024! Thank you for joining us in this incredible journey to bring Hope and Healing to those with special needs through the amazing power of the Horse!
Happy New Year!
Andi
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Our daughter Olivia really struggles with social and academic skills, but at Savannah Station, she is always free to be exactly who she is. Her difficulties with reading are not important when she comes to ride horses. She has learned how to be brave when something is new and scary. Olivia was terrified to ride a horse prior to starting at Savannah Station and now she cannot wait for lessons each week! Her confidence has grown tremendously, and her ability to overcome her fear of riding horses has also transferred to other areas of her life and she has seen how she can do hard things. She no longer says, “I can’t do that,” but instead, “I can try!” It has been a joy for me to watch Olivia participate in something where she is 100% free to be herself. Riding has also been therapeutic for her in dealing with some of the trauma she faced in foster care. She has learned the importance of not giving up. In a world where she is “not good at” many of the things that come easily for neurotypical children, horseback riding has helped her have one thing that she is very good at. The volunteers have been hugely instrumental in helping Olivia overcome her fear of horses. Their calming presence has given her confidence and a sense of felt safety that she didn’t have before she started lessons. Having volunteers who are trained to manage her epilepsy is also a gift, so that she is able to ride without fear of being seriously hurt in the event of a seizure. Olivia has seen for herself that she can do hard things, and I have loved watching her because I am afraid of horses. Her confidence has helped me be less afraid. Normally, I am the one helping my daughter do things, but in this case, she has really helped me. It has been such a gift to me as her mom to be able to interact with other parents of children with special needs. Having a child with difficulties can be extremely lonely and isolating, but Savannah Station has helped me feel like there are other parents who “get it.”
Olivia loves telling people that she rides horses, in her words “Riding horses makes me very happy and the horses are good and make me feel like I can pretty much do anything!”
-Mary Rachel, Parent
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Hope & Healing Through Their Eyes |
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I am SO thankful to have found Savannah Station, the only therapeutic riding center in the metro that accommodates adult riders. I rode back when I was a young girl, but due to developing severe OCD I could no longer be around horses. It took me several years; however, I rekindled my love for horses. Thanks to Savannah Station I have fallen in love with riding all over again. The most special aspect being the connection made with the horse. Riding at Savannah Station has given me confidence and has helped me to overcome fears. I went from not being able to be near a horse to wanting to ‘trot on’ every single class! Riding at Savannah Station is such a positive experience and it brings me much joy. Class can’t come soon enough each week. Beyond grateful for all Savannah Station does!
-Kathryn, Rider
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Savannah Station is such a special place to me. After going through COVID and being isolated working from home full-time for the past few years, I was determined to find a place where I could create relationships and make an impact. I have always loved horses and had volunteered with a Dallas-based therapeutic riding center in high school. I set out to see if there was one in the OKC area. Through a Google search, I discovered Savannah Station. The past year and a half volunteering at Savannah Station have been filled with joy and such touching moments. Seeing a rider’s face light up as soon as they enter the arena and see “their horse,” or hearing them choose to whisper “Walk on” brings hope and healing to my own heart. It has also been a privilege to be part of a team dedicated to serving our riders in whatever way best benefits them. In a world where over-prioritization is placed on success and accomplishment, I love coming to a place that redefines those terms. Each rider comes to grow and learn, but that looks different for each of them. They come as they are, with their individual needs and challenges, and the Savannah Station instructors and volunteers welcome them with open arms. Through the time I’ve spent with the riders, staff, and horses of Savannah Station – I know it is a very special place. It is humbling to be part of an organization that really does provide “hope and healing.”
-Lydia Carlton, Volunteer
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Donation Party with Savannah |
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One of our riders, Savannah Smith, hosted a fundraiser party at her home for two causes, one being Savannah Station and the other a missionary from her church. Savannah's mom, Teressia, shared with us the story of how this party came to fruition.
"Savannah decided she wanted to have a party and charge her friends to attend so she could raise money to buy a new doll or ragged jeans. She made invitations but I thought she was making invitations for a party at church she had been telling me about earlier that day. I didn't proofread the invitations, and she started passing them out at school and Sunday school. She had picked a day and put my phone number on them. I finally found out when a friend down the street called me, asking about it. When I figured out what it was about, I said she could have the party, but she would have to change the recipient of the funds, maybe something like missionaries or Savannah Station instead of the doll or jeans. She decided to support both. I also made sure she understood the refreshments and food were her responsibility to buy along with cups and napkins. I agreed to get the house ready as well as drive her to Dollar Tree to get her party supplies. We only had 6 days from the time she started handing out invitations until the day of the party, she wasted no time in planning! The party was great! Savannah had eight guests and raised $53 for the two causes. She split the funds $26.50 for Savannah Station and $26.50 to missionaries. We are planning a new venture that I will help manage better!"
-Teressia Smith
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Patriot Project 2023
On November 3rd a wonderful group of 8th graders from Southwest Covenant Schools and their parents came to Savannah Station as part of their 2023 Patriot Project. They painted ground poles, helped us empty our big white storage container, trimmed trees, cleaned stalls, washed buckets and helped prep for winter in the back barn! It was a beautiful day and lots of things were accomplished, thank you Southwest Covenant Schools!
"The students were so honored to be able to come work out there and had so much to say about their experience. They absolutely loved it and are begging that they be the class that returns there next year. LOL! We are already looking forward to coming to serve you all next year. Thank you for all you do, not just with our students that come out there, but for everyone that comes out to Savannah Station. It truly is a special place."
-Shayna Peffer, Patriot Project Chairman
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At the Horse Back Hero's Gala money was raised to fully expand our waiting room; a long time dream! Over the Christmas break Tate Spreacker with UPOD Roofing & Construction and his amazing team of builders made our dream a reality. Thank you Jimmy and Kimberly Tilley for sponsoring this important expansion and thank you Randy Clonts for making sure this nurturing space is climate controlled. We are so excited to have this space available for our riders and their families. Our students have found it hard to believe that we made this beautiful new space just for them! Our hearts are overflowing!
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We had a merry little Christmas spending time together as a family at our annual Christmas Party. We ate delicious food, took lots of fun photos, laughed, played a fun gift exchange game, and honored two board members; Michelle Shaw and Sandra Tyler. Thank you Life.Church Yukon for hosting us, we absolutely love getting to spend this time together each year. |
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Tule was born in 2001, American Quarter Horse Bay Gelding
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Tule, the quintessential therapeutic riding horse, is a retired barrel racer who has been with Savannah Station since its beginning. A huge heart beats inside this small bay gelding. He is always attuned to his rider. When Tule feels his rider become off balance, he instantly stops! He takes care of our most fragile riders and gives them a sense of confidence, courage, and freedom.
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Cowgirl Savannah and Tule |
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1. What inspired you to volunteer? When I realized there was a need for someone to help feed in the mornings.
2. My favorite part of volunteering is .. being in the farm and ranch atmosphere and being outdoors.
3. What would you say to someone considering volunteering here? If you like being outdoors this is the place to be.
4. What do you like to do outside of your time at Savannah Station? I enjoy volunteering at my church and spending quality time with my family.
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1. What inspired you to volunteer? I had previously volunteered at a different therapeutic riding stable. When we moved to Yukon, it was no longer feasible for me to continue volunteering there due to the distance. My wife and I had been looking for another similar place to volunteer for quite some time. I love horses and kids and my wife works with individuals with disabilities so when we learned that Savannah Station was close to our new house, we could not wait to become involved.
2. My Favorite part of volunteering is ... volunteering with the Thursday night classes and with the feed team. My favorite part of volunteering is working on the feed team. Savannah Station is located on a beautiful piece of property in Yukon. I love getting up early in the morning to feed the horses, it is peaceful and the horses are always happy to see me!
3. What would you say to someone considering volunteering here? It it incredibly rewarding, I highly recommend it!
4. What do you like to do outside of your time at Savannah Station? I am the host of two radio shows. They air on two different internet-based stations in the United Kingdom.
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There are lots of things happening at Savannah Station in the coming months so mark your calendars with the following dates, you won't want to miss out! More information will be provided through the website as each event gets closer or you can email info@savannahstation.org for more information.
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Spring Session Begins January 30th
Grounds Class Begins March 25th
Senior's in the Saddle Class Begins March 28th
Achievement Week April 30th-May 2nd
Volunteer Orientation May 30th, 6-8:30pm
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Savannah Station's next Volunteer Orientation will be Thursday, May 30th from 6-8:30pm. If you have any questions or would like to RSVP please email Brooke at volunteers@savannahstation.org
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Where miracles happen
in every class
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