THE BARN BULLETIN WINGS OF HOPE EQUITHERAPY
2 Corinthians 9:7
Celebrating
Wings of Hope
Volunteers
Spring 2022
Appreciation for volunteers is a long-standing and
common deep-rooted emotion around the barn.
Whether it be an appreciation of a volunteer's time
from staff, seeing the value of their impact as the
family member of a client, or a horse who
appreciates the guidance and comfort provided by
a volunteer. No matter the source, appreciation is
always the common theme.
Webster's definition of a volunteer is a person who
voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to
undertake a service. Every week an average of 80
volunteers donate 2 or more hours giving their
time in the arena working with clients and their
horses. Volunteers are quite literally the hands and
feet of our mission. In a typical lesson, a volunteer
will walk 2,000-5,000 steps. Therapeutic riding
lessons are held in Wings of Hope's covered arena
but many lessons also consist of a trail ride on the
Discovery or Transition trails spanning over the 25-
acre property. A team of up to 12-15 volunteers per
lesson is what makes our programs and operations
possible. Our mission would not be complete
without the countless steps and hours donated.
Volunteers are utilized as Side Walkers or Leaders.
Every volunteer is initially trained as a Side Walker
which equips you to walk alongside an equestrian
and their horse to assist them with their unique
needs. Side Walking consists of walking alongside
the rider during their 1-hour weekly lesson helping
with safety, stability, empowerment, and providing
consistency. Every volunteer starts in this position
Each of you should give
what you have decided in
your heart to give, not
reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves
a cheerful giver..
to gain skills and tools through specific training to learn the focus of our
mission is those we serve.
In addition, those with horsemanship skills or those seeking that
knowledge can go through additional training to shift the focus to be
responsible for the horse during the lesson. No horse experience is
needed, in fact, most volunteers do not come with previous horse
experience. A beautiful byproduct of volunteering is gaining the
knowledge and experience of becoming trained and learning more about
humans and horses and the impact of their partnership together.
This partnership allows those with disabilities the opportunity to explore
new ways to navigate independence, to gain tools and skills to sharpen
and enhance abilities, discover strengths, and address challenges. The
partnership breaks down barriers for someone who has experienced
isolation and exclusion through their disability. We serve as an advocate
for meeting individuals where they are in life with a focus on abilities
rather than disabilities. Volunteers are literally the lifeblood of that
partnership, the hands, the feet, and most importantly the heart. One of
the most special attributes of a volunteer is receiving just as much if not
more than you give which is such a blessing for all in the barn.
Every session is an experience that is filled with fun,
laughter, love, care and an amazing interaction and
bond between the instructors, volunteers, riders and
horses. I highly encourage volunteering with Wings of
Hope Equitherapy for people of all ages because it will
be some of the most satisfying and rewarding moments
spent each week that you could possibly imagine and all
it takes is your commitment and participation.
VerNeil, Current Volunteer
 The gratitude and appreciation that staff, family, and caregivers have
for volunteers are unending. It is always remarkable to reflect on the
ripple effect of the time and talent of a volunteer. For so many, it can
appear as just an hour or two in the dirt every week but that time
translates into giving a parent a quiet hour to watch their child
succeed. It can reflect in an equestrian participating in a horse show
and competing with peers and allowing a family the opportunity to
be a fan club on the sidelines for the first time. So often those
impacted by our mission find that they do not have an outlet that
allows them to be comfortable and confident with their disability.
Frequently, individuals with disabilities state that life can revolve
around a diagnosis, the label, and the stigma that comes with it. A
volunteer's time provides inclusion, and it provides the opportunity
to focus on abilities, and for one hour once a week, in the dirt, it
eliminates the stigma of the world outside of the barn.

Thank you is never enough to all of our past, current, and future
volunteers and thank you is always the beginning of the depths of
gratitude for providing the partnership of horses and humans
navigating life with a disability or challenge.

If you are seeking ways to be involved in our mission we encourage

you to become a part of the team! As always, you are invited to the
barn to see our mission in action and learn about ways you can
contribute.

LIfe's most persistent and urgent question is, what

are you doing for others? - Martin Luther King, Jr.

A note from Allison

Director of Development
Hey y'all,
Spring has sprung and boy are we grateful
for the sunshine and the rain that comes
with the season. 2022 has been a great year thus far. We were
thrilled to get back in the show ring at Chisholm Challenge at the
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Chisholm is always such a
great kick-off to the new year and an amazing avenue for
equestrians from all of North Texas to showcase their skills and
partnership with their horse.

As we transition into the Spring and Summer we focus on the

backbone of our mission which is volunteers. Volunteers are the
hands and feet of the mission and help to execute diverse quality
programs. If you are interested in volunteering we encourage Interested in more information
you to reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Claire. No horse
experience is necessary and all volunteers are extensively about volunteering?
trained to give their time working hands-on with clients and
their horses. Volunteers are needed year-round in therapeutic Email
riding sessions and current volunteers are utilized in June & July
for Summer Camp.
Claire@wingsofhopehorses.org

We look forward to celebrating past, current, and future

volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week in
April!
 Office Remodel coming this Summer!
Often donors want to know what specific purchases can be made
rather than making a cash donation or needs outside of the Amazon
wish list.

This Summer we will begin a grant funded full office remodel. We are in
dire need of upgraded technology for our new offices, including 6 new
laptop computers for leadership, administrative and program staff. If
you prefer to make a direct purchase of one of these computers or
know of a company or foundation that would underwrite this cost,
please email Allison@WingsofHopeHorses.org
and we can get you specific details!

Reg
iste
Now r
!

Camp is hosted for all abilities at Wings of Hope and your

participation supports programs providing equine assisted

services for children and adults with disabilities.

 VOLUNTEER

I tell anyone
that will
listen they
should look
into Wings.
Seeing the
ers
joy riding lunte e
e 8 0 vo e y hav
brings to the Of th rained th ,0 00
t 45
ntly al of of
equestrians is curre d a tot r ation
te d u
what I enjoy dona ing th e
ajo r ity
s dur he m
most. hour ice . T
te a n
serv dona Over 3,000 hours of
their u n teers o urs
ol 5 h service have been
-Melissa, Current Volunteer of 1 year of v
ag e of 2-
aver ly. donated so far during
week
the fiscal year 2021-
2022 by more than
Currently, the youngest volunteer 100 volunteers.
serving is

14 and the most senior is 74. Most volunteers do not come to Wings of Hope
with prior horse experience.

A typical new volunteer receives approximately

10 hours of training.
All volunteers are initially trained as a Side Walker
to walk along side a rider and horse team.

11 current
volunteers have
Independent Sector states
been a volunteer the value of volunteers time
for 5 or more at $28.54 per hour donated. National Volunteer Week occurs
years ranging from During this fiscal year, volunteers annually in the third week of April.
5 to 26 years of have donated a in-kind value of National Volunteer Week 2022 is
service. $114,160 with their gift of time. April 17 – April 23

"You make us
pop with
appreciation
for you!"

 APPRECIATION

I enjoy
interacting with JOIN THE TEAM!
the equestrians
and suggest
volunteering
because it gives 14 years or older
you the
opportunity to
enrich an No horse experience
individual's life
in a positive
way
needed!
-Debbie, Current Volunteer of 26 years I heard about Wings of Hope
through the Junior League of Donate 2-3 hours weekly
Fort Worth and was intrigued by
I began
volunteering to
the idea of interaction with both
the riders and the horses
Volunteer weekly as a trained
glorify God, the
exercise is

-Meagan, Current Volunteer of 1 year Side Walker or Leader

great and the
hope provided
to each rider
and parent by
Volunteering
has been a
Hands on training pertaining
your
encouragement
bit of a
social outlet
specifically to the riders and
is why I suggest
volunteering
and I get to
work with
horses you work with weekly.
horses . I
-Dennis, Current Volunteer of 6 months
also make a

big Must be physically able

difference in
-Chloe, Current a person’s to walk alongside a rider
Volunteer of 2 months life .


and their horse in a dirt

arena or trail for 1

Volunteering is
so rewarding hour.
for me! I love
being around Email Claire@
everyone and
learning new
wingsofhopehorses.org for more info
things. It’s such
I always suggest
a rewarding
volunteering because we get experience and
back so much more than we allows you to
give. grow!

-Laurie, Current Volunteer of 8 years Shelby, Current Volunteer of 2 years

Thank you The rewarding and humbling feeling to be around

horses, inspiring Equestrians, and the caring staff
Side Walkers and instructors found at Wings of Hope
Equitherapy can't be found in any other type of
and Leaders for blessing
volunteer opportunity.
Wings with your time and -VerNeil, Current Volunteer of 1 year

talents!
 ROUND-UP
FOR RIDERS

Save the Date!

Friday, August 5th

6:00 p.m.
River Ranch Fort Worth

Attendance is
complimentary with an
opportunity to give,
reservations and
sponsorship information
available at

wingsofhopeequitherapy.org/roundup
COLLABORATION #WishListWednesday
CORNER Wish List Spotlight
Each #WishListWednesday
"MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK"
Shop we feature an item from the
Shout out to a few of our community partners wish list on Facebook and
for making an impact on our mission! share how your purchase
88.3 The Journey
BoBeche & Branch supports our mission!
Burleson Lions Club
Support

Burleson Eumathian Club

City of Burleson To view the wish list visit
Granbury ISD
Grandview ISD
wingsofhopeequitherapy.org
Keene Adventist Elementary /donate
Ignacio Martinez | IM Fencing
Nazarene Christian Academy
C.P. Pate Foundation You shop, we save, amazon delivers
PATH International
Printing Plus directly to the barn!
The Junior League of Fort Worth
Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program
United Cooperative Services
The University of Texas at Arlington
Wal-Mart
Wild Riders 4H Club

Around the barn....

2022 has been a year of growth, blessings, and success thus
far. We are proud to have formed partnerships welcoming
students from Grandview ISD & Granbury ISD to the barn
monthly for a Field Trip with a Purpose. Claire Wolfgang was
welcomed as our newest PATH CTRI Instructor. The return of
Chisholm Challenge was much welcomed. It has been great
to resume presentations with local clubs and agencies as
well as invite visitors to the barn for a talk & tour. We
enjoyed catching up with the Burleson Eumathian Club,
Burleson Lions Club, Wild Riders 4-H Club just to name a few.
If you know of a group we should connect with or you are
interested in seeing our mission in action, please reach out!

They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary;
and they shall walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
 WINGS OF HOPE
EQUITHERAPY
PO BOX 445
BURLESON, TEXAS 76097-0445
OFFICE@WINGSOFHOPEHORSES.ORG
817-783-3805

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Providing hope and healing through gentle horses and the love of God since 1996.