| |
Volunteer
Profiles & Testimonials:
Brian Joseph Widman is
2008-09 Senior at Anthony Wayne High School (AWHS) in Whitehouse, Ohio. His goal,
is to pursue admission to a tier one university in the college of engineering. The strength of Brian’s academic record at AWHS is in the subjects of mathematics and
engineering. Brian is evaluating the potential for his attendance at several major universities that have an advanced engineering curriculum.
Grace
Shumaker, a freshman in high school, enjoys working with animals, showing her animals in 4-H, outdoor activities such as hunting, camping, and hiking, along with drawing and helping at her church's youth programs. Grace especially enjoys coming to volunteer as often as she can at TimberWolff stables, and watching the children's faces light up as they walk around the arena playing games, or stretching. She loves the fact that she can combine her passion for horses with her love of children volunteering at TimberWolff!
Anna Unnestall
Anna is a 2008-09 senior at Cardinal Stritch High School in Oregon, Ohio. She enjoys spending her time with her friends, and baking. She enjoys working with the children at hippotherapy and watching how they progress over time.
Melisa (Mel) Viers
TPS Special Education Teacher
Since I teach students with orthopedic disabilities, volunteering for the St. Vincent HIPPO Therapy Program is a perfect fit for me. It gives me an opportunity to help children in a different way (than academics) and also helps me learn more about people with various physical disabilities, which is a great benefit for my job! It is also a powerful way for me to live out Christ's call to help others, which gives me a great sense of fulfillment.
Sarah Miller
I am currently working as a research technician and graduate student in a Parasite Molecular Biology/Biochemistry laboratory, at The University of Toledo. I have also been a volunteer for the HippoTherapy program offered through St. V's Mercy Children's Hospital over the past year. Although I have learned a great deal through my career in science, my experiences volunteering have proven to be very rewarding and helped me to realize that I desire much more of a direct human interaction in a profession. I have seen how amazing HippoTherapy is at treating a variety of neurological, skeletal, muscular, and emotional disorders. The three-dimensional movement of the horse clearly helps to stimulate the rider and enhance balance, posture, mobility, strength, and coordination. Yet, the greatest part of HippoTherapy is the enjoyment the kids get out of the lesson. HippoTherapy creates a fun environment, so the children easily forget that they are there for therapeutic purposes. I feel very fortunate to be involved with such a unique program and I have seen firsthand the immediate and lasting effects it has had on a number of very special children.
Kelly Milewski
I live in Monclova with my husband Steve and my son Jackson. We live on 13 acres and love being outside. We won the 2008 Homeowner of the Year award from the Nature Conservancy, Kitty Todd
Preserve (our property is all restored oak openings habitat). I work for the Metroparks as a naturalist and my office is out at Oak Openings Preserve. I love teaching people about nature and getting them
excited about their natural surroundings. I have been involved with horses since I was 7 years old. I was an Anthony Wayne Trailblazer (4-H) and a Swanton 'Ropin Rangler. I really love doing hippotherapy and getting to work with horses again as well as being able to help all the kids in the program. I love seeing the smiles on their faces.
Pat Segura (Gabby’s Grandma)
My experience with hippotherapy is a two-fold blessing. Being a part (side walker) of such an encouraging program where everyone involved gives so much of themselves and the rewards are immeasurable. I was first introduced to the program a few years back when my granddaughter Gabrielle was diagnosed with Dejerine-Sottas Disease. This is a neurological disorder. Gabby was (I believe) born with a great love of horses. She would ride her daddy’s back for the longest time, so it’s my belief that riding in therapy is not only a relief for her dad, but also a joy for her , even while her core
muscles, coordination, balance and much more are being strengthened and improved. I know this because I’ve seen it with my own eyes and heard as her Doctor has told her parents; she is holding her own so far. So thank you Tracey, and all the volunteers. If you are reading this and you can help, please do.
Donna Stateczny
I have been a volunteer in the hippo program for two years. I would strongly recommend volunteering. It only takes a few hours of your time but the rewards are immense not only for the children but for yourself. I have seen first hand what a difference the program makes to the children I have worked with and the smiles on their faces when they are on the horses will really warm your heart. One little girl I worked with, when she first came to the program would not talk, couldn't walk very well and was afraid of the horse. After a few sessions, she was smiling, talking and would come ready to ride her horse. What a difference the program has made on her. This summer she was running around the field with her sister and laughing. To see her and all the other children make such progress makes volunteering really worth while. People probably wonder how putting a child on a horse would make such a difference but I have seen for myself what amazing things it can do.
Please help us continue this great program.
|
|
