Wounded Warrior Project at Free Rein

The newest addition to our program this spring is offering a horsemanship program to service people who qualify for the Wounded Warrior Project.  Through PATH International and a grant they received from WWP we are able to provide funding for these service men and women. 

Serving the military has been a goal of ours since we started in 2008 and a passion for our head instructor Lisa Johnson.  Thanks to the help of Rainier Therapeutic Riding and Wounded Warrior Project the dream has become a reality. 

The program consists of all components of horsemanship including grooming, groundwork and riding. The participants progress through an eight week series guided by Lisa and a handful of our dedicated volunteers.

We still have space in the program this spring.  If you know of anyone that qualifies for Wounded Warrior services and is interested in participating please have them contact us at 509-979-1468 or at freereinprogram@hotmail.com for more information.

Volunteer Spotlight Katie McCully

Volunteer Spotlight: Katie McCully

Katie has been volunteering with Free Rein for 2 years now. She started right after we made the move to Westar Ranch. She started because she knows one of our instructors, Andrea Scalici. She heard about us, she likes people and she likes horses, so she decided she wanted to volunteer.

Katie works full-time and is an avid horseback rider herself, riding since she was two and participating in 4-H shows as she grew up, but she fits us in.  She is one of our “schooling masters” who helps keep the horses “trained” and she volunteers during classes a couple of times a week.  She always steps up when needed.  Loki is her favorite horse because as she says, “I like challenges”.

Katie is a trained phlebotomist but doesn’t do that for a living. She says she doesn’t think she could now. I know I couldn’t; the sight of blood makes me faint. Her goal is to become an Occupational Therapist and a certified riding instructor.

Katie’s most memorable experience with Free Rein has been working with the same rider all of this time.  When Katie first started, her rider couldn’t even ride for 30 minutes. It was just too much and too hard. Katie has seen her rider progress through many types of tack and has watched her strength improve.  Her rider can now ride for an hour and, “to see how much she has improved is inspiring” says Katie.

Something you might not know about Katie is that she loves to travel. She has recently made quite a few trips to the Lone Star state.

Her favorite part of Free Rein is the people, both riders and volunteers.  She likes that there is no drama.

If you are interested in getting involved with Free Rein Katie says, “come out and watch a class”.  I agree.  I bet you will be hooked.

Thank you so much, Katie for all of the time and dedicated service you give to Free Rein!

Volunteer Spotlight Scott Roddan

Volunteer Spotlight, Scott Roddan

Scott started volunteering for Free Rein because he wanted to be around horses. What he found out is that the kids are awesome! His favorite part is working with the kids and he was surprised at his reaction to working with the kids.  One rider in particular really captured his heart.

Scott is originally from California and moved to the Spokane area to be closer to family.  If you ask Scott where he wants to be though, Nashville Tennessee is where you would find him. Something you might not know about him is that he is a very talented musician.

Something else you might not know about Scott, is that he is an actor.  He loves to be in front of the camera and has been in several films as an extra or stand-in and as a leading character!   He was in a film called “Killing Snakes” and one of the films he was in was part of the Cannes Film Festival. His most recent role was in an Independent Film called “Catch Hell”. See the trailer here

Scott believes that horses are one of the best mirrors.  They reflect our own struggles and frustrations back to us.  His pet peeve is people who are impatient with horses.

The advice Scott would give to someone who is interested in becoming involved with Free Rein is, “If you have any inkling that this is something of interest to you, you should at least try it.”.

Thank you, Scott for all of the time you give us! We love having you (and Peanut) as part of our Free Rein “family”.

$10,000.00 For Free Rein

You can help Free Rein receive up to a $10,000.00 from Larry H. Miller Toyota. Click on their link and look for the post about charitable donations. Add a comment "nominating" Free Rein and help us get some much needed $.


http://www.facebook.com/LHMToyotaSpokane

Volunteer Spotlight

 

Lisa is one of our newer volunteers but she jumped in with both feet.  She has been spending tons of time in the office helping out and volunteering as a side walker and leader.  She came to us with experience from a therapeutic riding program in Colorado, from where she just moved.  She thinks it is great to see the kids and the horses. 

A couple of her favorite moments at Free Rein have been when one of our riders, who was coming every week but just not ready to get on the horse, finally got on.  Lisa said it was “pretty rewarding” and she loved how the rider jabbered the whole time because she was so excited to be riding.

Another favorite moment was when she found out that Whistle is pregnant.  What, you hadn’t heard yet? Yep, Whistle is going to be a mamma.

Something that might surprise you about Lisa, or what not many people know, is that she is a Salsa dancer.  She has been dancing for 7 or 8 years. She has participated in competition and was on a performance team in Seattle.  She and her dance partner won the State Championship in Colorado.  With dance she has travelled and competed all over the world including Puerto Rico, Miami and Texas.

Lisa doesn’t have a favorite horse here at Free Rein.  She loves them all.

Lisa loved the Barn Dance and plans to continue to go every year.  She and her husband won a mandolin and now her hubby (who plays guitar) is trying to teach himself to play their newly won instrument.

Welcome to Free Rein, Lisa. Thank you so much for your time and dedication to helping our riders and keeping the office organized.

Volunteer Spotlight

A Q&A with John Pardee... our Volunteer Spotlight  for the week:

Q: What brought you to Free Rein?
A: When I retired from the Sheriffs Dept I looked around for something to do that was of interest to me.  I am not usually a phone guy  or a reception office guy or wanted to be on call (red cross) so when I became aware of this organization it attracted my interest. [I] Like horses and kids.

Q: What makes you stay?
A: I have been volunteering several years now , started the tail end of the first year Sandy started, so I guess it has become a habit in some ways.  Enjoy seeing the horses and riders. (Usually take summers off to be with my family)

Q: Would you share a story from your time here?
A: I volunteered to do a promotion during the fair several years ago and the horses and riders had to do a figure eight type competition during a 4H event.  I was side walking during this event and suddenly discovered upon entering the arena that the dirt had been plowed soft and was about 6 inches deep.  Part of the event required us to trot and when we finished it I thought I was going to die!

Q: What is something that not many people know about you?
A: I am a Viet Nam vet , serving in 1968.  During my time there my Army Division was sent north to help the Marines at the Khe Sahn fire base.  Myself and two other soldiers were sent to operate radios on the fire base during the shelling and as far as I know we were the only First Cavalry soldiers on the marine base during part of the shelling.

Q: Who is your favorite horse?
A: Guess that would be Chester. I have only seen him act up once (when he was scared by a piece of machinery) and is always easy to work with.

Q: What is your favorite Free Rein event?
A: Guess that would be the dinner fund raiser.   Fun to look over the items up for auction and see familiar faces from the past that only seem to show up for the dinner fund raiser.

Thank you, John. Thank you for your service to Free Rein and your service to our country!

Volunteer Spotlight

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Carol Gengler

   Carol Gengler has been volunteering with Free Rein since September 2010.  She started volunteering because her sister was volunteering and she told Carol that she thought she would like it.  After all, Carol loves both horses and kids.
    Her favorite part of being at Free Rein is the wonderful atmosphere.  She loves Sandy and Lisa and feels that there is a "wonderful camaraderie".  She is always impressed with how often she hears volunteers offering to help others as everyone gets ready for class.
     If you know Carol, you know she loves to bake. All of us are beneficiaries of that talent as Carol brings something yummy with her every time she comes. The homemade cookies sitting by the sign in sheet are from Carol. Something you might not know is that she likes to paint.  She paints ceramic figurines, often giving them as gifts and she also paints garbage cans. Yes, I said garbage cans; for weddings, she has painted garbage cans with the wedding colors so "even the garbage cans are pretty". As they should be.
   Carol's favorite Free Rein horse is Chester (although she thinks they are all sweet). Chester reminds her of her horse, Scottie.  Scottie was a white Pony of America with polka dots. He was the only horse in the pasture to come when called.  She spent many years riding bareback on him.
   Thank you Carol for your dedication to Free Rein. Thank you for your delicious cookies, and thank you so much for sharing your kind spirit with us all!