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Important Dates
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September 12
Classes resume for Fall Session
September 17
Woodinville Half Marathon
September 23
Horse Leader Level I Training
September 28
Horse Leader Level II Training
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Arena Volunteers
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Fall Session kicks off on Monday, September 12 and we can't wait to see our arena volunteers back in action!
Please contact
Dana LaRue
if you are interested in signing up for a recurring volunteer shift.
If you can no longer commit to the class schedule you had during Summer Session, please call 425.882.1554 to speak to a member of the Volunteer Department as soon as possible.
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Barn Team Volunteers Needed
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Can you volunteer to care for our herd Monday, Thursday, or Friday from 11 AM - 1:30 PM?
Barn Team volunteers are vital to Little Bit's success.
We are currently looking for volunteers 1
6 years and older who can make a weekly commitment
Volunteers keep our horses happy and healthy by delivering lunch, re-filling water buckets, and mucking paddocks. Please keep in mind that Barn Team is a physical job and volunteers must be able to bend, squat, and walk on uneven ground.
Interested? Email Ariel Aman to schedule a training!
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Training Team Members
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Little Bit is looking for six
Training Team members to assist at Program Volunteer Training on:
September 13, 6:30 - 9
PM
October 1, 4 - 6:30 PM
Training Team members can sign up to support a PVT by logging into
Volgistics or by emailing Dana LaRue.
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NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT: Boots & Bandanas
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We regret to inform you that the Volunteer Appreciation Boots and Bandanas Bash on Saturday, September 10 has been postponed.
After much consideration, we have decided to wait until Little Bit is at a more stable place to celebrate your commitment and dedication to our mission in a way that truly reflects our gratitude.
A volunteer told me once that Little Bit is not for the faint of heart. Boy, was she right. It's physically demanding. An emotional roll coaster of ups and downs, set-backs and miracles. We ask and we ask, and sometimes we ask again. But, I have never been a part of an organization where the volunteers band together with a resounding YES to make a mission possible.
- THANK YOU for helping our riders learn to walk.
- THANK YOU for being an ambassador in the community, introducing new riders, volunteers, and donors to the Little Bit magic.
- THANK YOU for going above and beyond so staff members can go home to their families on time.
- THANK YOU for ensuring our horses have a clean bed to lay down on at night.
- THANK YOU for over 27,345 hours of service last year alone, and for so much more.
We remain optimistic that programs will proceed as scheduled. We look forward to contacting you at a future date when we will be in a better position to more fully demonstrate our appreciation and celebrate your many contributions at a rescheduled Volunteer Appreciation Bash.
On behalf of Little Bit staff and leadership, thank you for understanding and thank you for your service.
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Destination Races' Wine Country Half Marathon
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Little Bit is honored to once again partner with Destination Races' Half Marathon Series and Wine, Beer and Music Festival!
Little Bit will receive a donation for every volunteer or runner who participates in this exciting event on
September 17.
Opportunities are available in a number of time slots and positions, including registration, course monitors, wine glass distribution, bag check, recovery tent and medical support.
Please declare your support of Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center when asked "Which group/organization are you affiliated with?"
Register Here to Run!
Each race registration processed through the trackable registration link above will generate a donation to Little Bit!
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Continued Education Opportunities
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Paddock Training
Mon, 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Tues, 4 - 5
PM
Wed, 5 - 6
PM
Thurs, 12 - 1
PM
Fri,11 - 12
PM
Sign up in the Tack Barn to learn how to
catch and turn out our herd
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Horse Leader Level I
Fri, September 23, 7-9 PM
Tues, October 4, 7-9 PM
Sat, October 15, 5-7 PM
Wed, November 9, 7-9 PM
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Horse Leader Level II
Wed, September 28, 7-9 PM
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Horse Leaders are responsible for helping their horse follow directions in class. These offerings are a
n
excellent opportunity to learn how to work better with our herd and expand upon horsemanship skills!
Please email
Melanie Renk
to sign up! Volunteers must be Paddock Trained to participate.
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Natural Horsemanship Groundwork
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Little Bit and
SAFE Horse Rescue have partnered with
Joel Conner to host a Natural Horsemanship Groundwork session. The clinic is free to audit for any volunteers and no RSVP is required.
Joel has a very special way of working with horses and covers things that anyone handling horses can benefit from.
Joel said that his work is about the horse; it is finding ways each day to do right by them and helping them have a clear and calm understanding of the work they do together.
He follows the work, methods, and ideology of horsemen like Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt, Tom and Bill Dorrance and Ricky Quinn Jr.
When: Saturday, September 10
and/or Sunday, September 11 from 9-12 PM and 1-4 PM.
Where:
SAFE, 16509 164 Ave. NE
Woodinville WA, 98072
Please contact Lindsay Shepard with questions!
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Volunteer Spotlight: Jean Kelley
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Do you have a favorite memory about Little Bit?
That is a question too big to answer! I would fill the whole page if I gave a complete answer. One aspect of Little Bit that I have always cherished is what a moral booster it can be. I have a disability called Asperger's Syndrome, which means I had (and sometimes still do) great difficulty understanding other people. This was an especially tricky problem when I was a teenager. My riding at Little Bit provided me with, no matter what else had happened that week, a place where I could feel 100% safe and free from misunderstanding.
Which Little Bit horse is your favorite, and why?
That is a hard a choice to make, I love all of them! Della is one of my favorites. I really like how she can adjust to very different requirements depending on the rider. I remember one day where she did advanced adaptive class in the morning, a trail ride after lunch, and dressage test practise at the end of the day. She is a pro!
If you could have a superpower, what would it be, and why?
Flying, it would be so cool to get a bird's eye view of the world. Although I would have to be careful not to fly to low and scare the horses.
What do you like to do when you're not volunteering or riding?
I work, garden, make art, and hang out with my family. I also dote on Fred, my Lab/Newfoundland Dog.
Can you share something you've learned from volunteering at Little Bit?
I had speech therapy as a child to keep using my voice, and sometimes I still worry about how I sound. However, I have been volunteering with a Hippo class where my job is to read to the rider. Being able to see how this helps the rider focus during their lesson, and how the rider really likes the books I am reading, has helped me be far more comfortable with how I sound.
If you could give one piece of advice to a new volunteer, what would it be?
It is always OK to ask questions! Little Bit staff, and other volunteers are great at explaining what you need to know.
Jean has served over 150 hours since she joined the Little Bit volunteer team in April of 2015. Thank you, Jean, for your commitment to our mission!
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Meet our Staff: Jenny Metz
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How long have you worked for Little Bit and what is your title?
I've been the Special Events Manager for
3 years.
What do you love most about Little Bit?
Witnessing the little miracles that take place here every day.
Do you have a fun story to share about Little Bit?
I volunteered at the fashion show prior to working here and witnessed one of our riders get up from his wheelchair and take some of his earliest steps and I knew I had to somehow be involved with this organization!
What hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
Riding horses, working out, taking long weekend drives with my husband (usually house hunting these days), spending time with my kiddos, and enjoying great food and wine.
What is the one place you would like to visit, or revisit?
Charleston South Carolina, and the Virgin Islands. I was a flight attendant in my 20's, so I got my fill of international travel early on! Now I'm a homebody.
Do you have a favorite food or drink?
Hands down Sushi. I could it it everyday. I love a good Savignon blanc and my husband's homemade margaritas. Oh, and la croix sparkling water...I am addicted!
Tell us something fun about yourself.
I absolutely love to listen to hip hop and rap, especially for working out
.
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Thanks for reading and thank you for your service!
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