Volunteer Bulletin

Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center
June 2016
In This Issue...
Arena Volunteer Shifts
Horse Show
Summer Camp
Volunteer and WIN!
Vote for Little Bit to win a Gypsy Horse!
Upcoming Training Opportunities.
Volunteer Attire
Volunteer Spotlight
Meet our Staff
Important Dates 
June 10
Horse Leader Training Level I 

June 15
Horse Leader Training Level II

June 21-July 4
Session Break

June 24-26
Memorial Horse Shows

June 27
Facility is closed

SAVE THE DATE: 
Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue
Saturday, September 10, 12  pm - 2 pm
More information to follow, but plan for music, food, friends, and FUN festivities! 
Arena Volunteer Shifts
Believe it or not, the last day of Spring Session is June 20!

The Volunteer Department has started planning for Summer Session. 

After a two week break and beginning the week of July 5, your regular class schedule will resume as usual. 

Please email Dana LaRue as soon as possible with any changes in your availability to help us ensure Summer Session starts off without a hitch!
2016 Horse Show Season is Here!
 
We need help with the 29th Annual Pat Flynn Memorial Horse Show on June 24 & 25.  Volunteers are also needed for the 9th Annual Margo O'Callaghan Memorial Dressage Show on Sunday, June 26.
 
Whether you are interested in "Arena Tasks" assisting the riders, horses, judges or "Non-Arena" tasks like helping with the BBQ, selling concessions or directing traffic, we have a task that will suit you perfectly! 
 
Fri, June 24:  9am-12pm and 12-3pm

S at, June 25:  9am-12pm and 12-4pm
(BBQ to follow Saturday's Horse Show!)

Sun, June 26: 11am-2pm

Contact Dana or Alison to join the FUN!


Summer Camp Volunteers and CiTs
If you like to have fun and work with diverse groups of people,  Summer Ca mp   is the opportunity for you!
 
Camp runs Monday-Thursday from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, July 5 through August 18. 
 
Please email  Dana LaRue  t help with one shift or an entire camp week!   

We are also looking for Counselors in Training (CiTs). This is a volunteer position that takes on a leadership role, and is a great resume builder. 

CiTs must participate in at least 3 weeks of camp, be at least 14 years of age, and must have already completed Little Bit's Orientation and Program Training. 

Please email Camp Director, Kim Mitchell with questions or to apply! 

Volunteer and WIN! 
Congratulations to Anina Ratjen, our first winner for the Online Substitute Campaign! 

There's still three chances to win! 

One volunteer per week, through June 20th, will be recognized with a gift card of their choice to Garlic Jim's or Starbucks.
 
Each and every time you sign up to substitute online, your name will be entered into a raffle. The more shifts you pick up, the more chances your name has to be drawn! Volunteers must be present for shifts they've signed up for in order to be eligible for a prize. 


Need help? Contact Lindsay Shepard at 425-882-1554.
Vote for Little Bit to win a Gypsy Horse!
It's the last two weeks to vote for Little Bit to win a horse from the LexLin Gypsy Ranch Gift Pro gram!
 
We need you to vote everyday and share this opportunity with your friends, family, and colleagues!
 
To cast your vote, once per day until June 11, visit this  Facebook  link: 
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Paddock Training:
Weekly, Spring Session 

Mon, 2:30 - 3:30 PM 
Tues, 4 - 5 PM
Wed, 4 - 5 PM
Thurs, 11 - 12 PM 
Fri, 4 - 5 PM 
Sat, 2:30 - 3:30 PM 

Paddock Tra ined volunteers can catch and turn out horses. This is also a prerequisite to Horse Leader Training.

Horse Leader Level I:   Fri, June 10, 7:15 - 9 PM

Horse Leader Level II:   Wed, June 15 , 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Horse Leaders are responsible for helping their horse follow directions in class. These offerings are a n  excellent opportunity to gain or expand upon horsemanship skills! 

Please email  Melanie Renk  to sign up for a Horse Leader Training! Those interested in Paddock Training can sign up in the Tack Barn. 
Volunteer Summer Attire
Summer sunshine is upon us! Please read these reminders to ensure you're not too-hot-to-handle. 
 
CLOSED TOED SHOES ARE REQUIRED.  Supportive tennis shoes, hiking boots or paddock boots are ideal for protection and comfort. Please no sandals of any kind.
No tank tops or bare midriffs.  Some of our clients have inappropriate social behaviors. Dres
sing conservatively ensures a happy and comfortable experience for all.
 
Shorts must be of appropriate length  (just above the knee). Pants are recommended due to dust, horsehair and bugs.
 
Wear comfortable clothes  that provide freedom of movement. Please do not tie shirts, jackets or sweatshirts around your waist

Bring necessary rain attire. We ride in the rain, so be prepared to walk through puddles and not around them.

Long hair should be tied back  in order to maintain excellent vision of the surrounding environment.
 
Please no jewelry.  Jewelry can get lost in the arena or on our 17.5 acre property. Anything that dangles may be an attraction to the rider or horse.
 
Please no perfume.  Unscented lotions are okay. Certain scents may cause a reaction in some of the riders, or may attract bees or other bugs. 

Sunglasses and sunscreen may be needed for outdoor activities including trail rides. Please drink plenty of water and find time to rest in the shade! 
Volunteer Spotlight: Jan Ott
What motivated you to volunteer at Little Bit?
When I retired, I knew I wanted to do something around horses, so I explored several opportunities. I was familiar with Little Bit as my daughter had volunteered as a student many years ago. I took a tour of your 'new' facility and was blown away by how awesome it is: beautifully maintained barns, large paddocks, indoor and outdoor arenas, track, tack-up stalls and more. Very impressive. I knew I wanted to be a part of it. 
 
I started off as a weekly barn team member. This was really my passion....to get a chance to hang out with the horses, picking paddocks, cleaning water troughs and feeding them...a way to get to know each horse. I loved every minute! Becoming a sidewalker seemed like the logical next step.  So I added a hippo class to my afternoon schedule. This day became the highlight of my week. Although I am not working on barn team anymore, my weekly class continues to be the highlight of my week. Just thinking about it makes me smile. 
Jan & Jimmy getting ready for class!
 
I am so impressed with the professional, thoughtful and caring people who work and volunteer at Little Bit. It is truly an amazing facility and such a jewel for our community. I am proud to be a small part of the opportunity for people of all ages to connect with the fun of being around horses.
 
Which Little Bit horse is your favorite, and why?
Jimmy is the horse I work with each week. He's such a cutie.....great size, calm, and easy to work with. So he has to be my 'favorite.'
 
Do you have a meaningful Little Bit moment to share?
Watching how therapy sessions are geared toward each student is heartwarming to me. Whether it's allowing someone to simply stand in the tack up area and 'pet' or brush a horse, to making sure that the tack is appropriate for that student as well as the horse, shows such a degree of caring for the students and the horses. I admire the work that is required for all of the components to come together to make each rider's experience the best it can be.
 
What do you love to do when you're not volunteering?
I love to garden and read. I do other volunteer work, but volunteering at Little Bit feeds my soul. 
 
What's one piece of advice you'd give a new volunteer?
Observe, listen, and enjoy!! Staff has a wealth of knowledge, and I learn something new every time I'm there. I love that!
 
Your stranded on a desert island and can only bring two items. What would you bring?
My husband said I should bring him and a bottle of wine. I'm contemplating that request!!   

* Jan joined our volunteer team in February 2015. Since then, she has volunteered 135 hours in both the arena and on Barn Team. Say hello to her sidewalking on Monday afternoons. Thank you, Jan! 
Meet our Staff: Melanie Renk
What do you do here, including your official title? 
My official title is Administrative Assistant, but I actually wear 2 "hats" here at LB. In the Admin department, I do a variety of things, including checking in riders and answering phone calls, ordering LB merchandise to sell, overseeing the waitlist. I also assist in the Volunteer Department, helping recruit subs for volunteers who have canceled for their shifts, and helping with intake of new volunteers.

How long have you worked for Little Bit?
I had my 2-year anniversary in February!

What do you love most about Little Bit? 
The people. Of all the places I have worked, Little Bit has been the best experience I've had working with people (and that includes staff, volunteers, and clients).

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work? 
I love reading, cooking and baking, and spending time with my cats, who are fondly referred to as "foster failures." :) 

What is the one place or country you would like to visit? 
I love England and would like to go back someday. I'd also like to visit Finland, as that's where some of my family is from.

Do you have a favorite food or drink? 
Chocolate. I can't survive without it; I'm convinced it runs in my veins.

Tell us something fun about yourself?
I'm the first to admit that I'm a bit of a geek/nerd. (Especially when it comes to words/language). Mostly I'm not into sci-fi, but I'm a fan of Doctor Who and Red Dwarf. I can get pretty geeky when it comes to food and cooking, too--I love Alton Brown and was lucky enough to meet him a couple years ago at a book signing. I've heard it said that you should never meet your heroes, but he was very nice and seemed like a regular person, but funnier.
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Thanks for reading and thank you for your service!