Horse of the Year

We Can Ride would like to introduce the NARHA Region VI horse of the year, our very own Haji from Minnetonka. Haji has been serving We Can Ride for over 15 years and is now in the running for the NARHA National Horse of the year, which will be announced at the 2008 NARHA National Conference November 1, 2008. Check out the December issue of “Joy Riding” for the full story.

From the Director's Desk

The Economy and We Can Ride
Our current economic challenges can be seen all around and are felt daily by each and every one of us. As the price of food, gas, and other necessities increase, our incomes don’t seem to keep pace. Each of us is affected individually by these challenges but so are many corporations and non-profit organizations, including We Can Ride. As always we need each and everyone one of you as a rider or driver, volunteer, or financial supporter. To continue to provide our current services, We Can Ride needs individual financial donations, corporate donations, and family fund contributions more than ever before. Matching company funds from employers, an often untapped resource, are commonly available as well. Please consider a donation today so that We Can Ride can keep making miracles happen for our clients.

What We Can Ride is Doing
Last year We Can Ride was certified by NARHA as a Premier Accredited Program. This means we met the highest standards in the industry and it was only possible due to the incredibly dedicated, passionate and hard working We Can Ride staff. We served approximately 230 riders over the past year which required over 450 volunteers. A recently released study out of Washington University Program in Occupational Therapy sponsored by the Horses and Humans Research Foundation reports,

“We have shown that Hippotherapy is a therapeutic tool that makes a measure able and visible difference in basic skills that form the foundation of the most fundamental activities of every day life…”

Many of you have also seen these same results with our carriage driving and therapeutic riding classes. We Can Ride uses horses to help people discover their abilities.

Perhaps the easiest way to help is…
Tell everyone you know about We Can Ride and why you are involved. Encourage them to visit our web site and call the office for a Discover the Impact 1 hour tour. In preparation for these tours a committee of board members, one instructor and a staff members have produced a We Can Ride brochure and the new logo which has been introduced in this newsletter. Over our 26 year history our logo has been updated and changed several times. This one is designed to reach out to a broader audience and encourage this audience to learn more about how our horses and programs are helping people discover their abilities. We are excited about the potential to attract a broader base of We Can Ride supporters. The brochure and logo will not do this on their own; we need your help in talking to anyone who will listen to you about why and how you are involved in We Can Ride. Your passion and enthusiasm for our program is contagious and we want you to invite potential supporters to a “Discover Impact Tour” which is listed in this news letter and can also be found on our web site. Simply call our office for getting them out to see what you are so exited about.

-Tom Bezek

How To Be Great Volunteer!

I found this article on the web and thought it was a great piece of advice for all current and potential volunteers. We Can Ride relies on volunteers to keep running and most importantly our riders rely on volunteers. Without volunteers there is no We Can Ride. If volunteers don't show up for class, a rider has to be told they can't ride that night. If volunteers didn't help with fund raising events, we wouldn't be able to raise the money we need to feed and care for the horses. Volunteers are the heart and soul of We Can Ride and we appreciate each and every one of you!

Volunteering is fun and rewarding, but it’s also a little more complicated than just showing up and having a good time. Here’s some advice on how to make the most of your volunteer work:

Be selfless. Selfless is the opposite of selfish. Don’t think about what you can do to help yourself. Think about what you can do to help others.

Be well-trained. Know what you’re doing as a volunteer. If you need some time to learn your job, take that time. If you need training or need someone to show you what you’re supposed to do, speak up. If you’re good at your job, it will be much easier to help others (plus you’ll have a lot more fun).

Be dependable. Do what you say you’ll do, and do your best. Don’t show up late, and always keep your promises. People will be relying on you so you don’t want to let them down.

Be enthusiastic. Don’t moan and groan your way through your volunteer work. If you really don’t like what you’re doing, find something else. Always have a positive attitude and show others that you’re doing this because you WANT to.

Be open-minded. One of the really great things about being a volunteer is the chance to learn and experience new things. Keep your mind open to new possibilities, and you’ll probably grow as a person.

Be respectful. Always remember to show respect for other people and other cultures. Keep in mind that your way of thinking or living is not the only way there is.

Be cooperative. Don’t be a “hot shot” or a loner. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Work as part of a team to make sure everyone gets a chance to participate and do his or her fair share of work. If someone asks for help, be willing to lend a hand. If you need some help, ask politely for it.

Be understanding. Try to see things through other people’s eyes. Try your best to understand what other people are going through, even if it’s something you’ve never dealt with yourself.

Be humble. Humble people don’t brag or go around telling everyone about all the good things they’ve done just to get some attention or feel superior. They’re happy knowing that they’re making a difference, and don’t need to shout about it.

Be friendly. Treat others like friends, and they’ll do the same for you. Many people who volunteer meet new people with whom they want to stay friends. You might just meet someone who becomes a buddy for the rest of your life!

From: pbskids.org