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~ Art’s Story
When Joyce and I first visited the Center to
inquire about the programs, we weren’t sure if we would volunteer. That day, a
Thursday, was an eye opener as they were short of volunteers. As I was raised on
a farm and had been around horses, I was put to work side-walking with Sue.* Sue
was recovering from injuries sustained in a fall. From that first day I was
hooked on helping these beautiful
children any way that I could.
The day Jenny* first came to the center and I
saw her Mom carrying her in I knew that I was to work with her. She was like a
beautiful rag doll. Jenny couldn’t walk and had to be carried to be put on her
horse. Once on the horse she had to be held up as she had no control over her
body. We (the therapist, Julie, Louise and I) propped her up with pillows and
held her in place. Within the first session (8 weeks) she started holding on
with her right hand, as lefty didn’t work for her. Late in the first session,
the therapist let me help Jenny work on her stomach muscles by having her do sit
ups and side bends on the horse. She tried to do everything the Therapist asked
of her. Jenny won everyone over with her smile. From the start she would make
up names for me, “bald head,” was her favorite. Jenny liked rhymes and added her
own touch making up funny names for the characters. Needless to say I was proud
of her as each session I could see a marked improvement. I’ve never seen anyone
work so hard, with a big smile and a sense of humor. We can all learn from these
kids.
The Thursday morning crew is a caring one not
only for the patients but for the
horses who have the patience of JOB, especially
when the riders change positions, throw balls and bean bags etc. They are a
hard working crew, that see a task that needs to be done (and just do it) to
include grooming, tacking and warming up the horses, side walking and leading
and mucking out the stalls.
It is within this atmosphere of harmony that we
are able to pay close attention to the patients. This has allowed all of us to
help the children, Jenny being one of many, where we have seen so much
improvement. The joy of being around these wonderful kids and working with the
super volunteers and staff has enriched all our lives especially Joyce’s and
mine. All the volunteers at the center can be proud of what they do and the
impact they have on the children and the parents who watch us work with their
precious angels.
*names have been changed for
confidentiality
PPTRC Volunteer Testimony
By Art Aldridge
Edited and Reprinted with Permission,
September, 2009
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Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center
