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Important Dates
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Captain/Captain-in-Training Meeting
March 17
Horse Leader Level II Training
March 21
Training Team Training
March 23
Horse Leader Level I Training
March 21 - March 26
Volunteer Appreciation Week
March 29 - April 17
Session Break, no classes or sessions
April 2
Horse Behavior/Communication Workshop
April 12
Captain/Captain-in-Training Meeting
April 23
31st Annual Reins of Life Auction
April 28
Sighted Guide Technique Workshop
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Volunteer Spotlight: Karen Deyerle
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What are the biggest things you've learned from volunteering at Little Bit?
Everyone has something to contribute, and never underestimate
anyone's abilities and room for growth. And, apparently nobody
ever
feeds Jimmy except Monday barn team (at least that's what he tells me).
What brought you to Little Bit? What keeps you coming back?
I've always loved horses, and rode a fair amount when I was in high school. I love working on barn team, the interactions with the horses in their paddocks, how enthusiastic they are about getting lunch(!), the physical exercise. What keeps me coming back is the herd (the horses + the humans). They are all wonderf
ul. Everyone I meet at Little Bit is so kind and helpful.
In her "spare" time, Karen is also a goalie for 2 indoor soccer teams in
the
ROLS (
R
eally
O
ld
L
ady
S
occer
) League, and square dances with her husband. She has volunteered as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for 15 years and as a volunteer bone marrow courier.
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Karen Deyerle has been a Little Bit volun
teer
since 2013 and primarily helps Barn Team on Mondays.
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Update from the Volunteer Department
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The Volunteer Department has filled 100% of our regular class
openings for Winter Session!
This is the first time Little Bit has accomplished such a feat. Volunteers are essential to Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center's success. Each and every one of you infuse our organization with energy and passion.
Our staff will continue to work hard to ensure our volunteers are provided with a meaningful and satisfying experience.
Please never hesitate to contact any member of
The Volunteer Department to tell us what we're
doing well or
how
we can improve to keep
your volunteer time at Little Bit meaningful.
We continually need
substitute volunteers to keep classes running smoothly.
You can sign up for substitute shifts for the remainder of March by clicking
HERE!
Thank you for making the 2016 Winter Session one for the record books!
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Lindsay Shepard; Dana LaRue; Alison McCarthy; Melanie Renk
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Welcome, Brunhilda!
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Brunhilda is officially one of our newest four legged staff members!
Brunhilda is a 17 year old Haflinger Arab cross mare. She previously competed in combined driving.
She has quickly settled in and is learning her new career at Little Bit.
Brunhilda is in both our adaptive and therapy classes. Be sure to come out and meet this adorable mare!
If you're interested in sponsoring Brunhilda by giving toward the cost of her care and feed, please contact Jenny Metz.
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| Volunteer Appreciation Week |
WHAT:
WHO:
All of Little Bit's Winter Session Volunteers
WHEN:
All day, March 21st - 26th (Last week of session)
Stop by before or after your volunteer shift.
WHERE:
Volunteer Check-In Area in the Welcome Center.
Look for the Spring Explosion!
ENJOY:
Little Bit to eat + Little Bit to drink + Little Bit of prize-incentive play!
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Sighted Guide Technique Workshop
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Deaf-Blind Specialist, Richie Frantz, has worked with the Deaf, Blind, and Deaf-Blind Communities for over 30 years. Her career has been steeped in establishing and developing Deaf-Blind programs, as well as providing workshops and trainings nationally, and internationally. She has been invited to over 15 states and 4 countries, and is excited to share her experience with you at Little Bit for a morning of Sighted Guide Technique!
Sighted Guide Technique is internationally recognized as the safest and most effective way to guide people who are Blind or Deaf-Blind.This technique utilizes sighted persons with specialized skills to guide people who are Blind, Low Vision, or Deaf-Blind.
On Thursday, April 28th at 10 AM, Little Bit will host a 45-minute interactive session on Sighted Guide Technique.
Richie will explain and demonstrate this technique of guiding safely, answer questions, and provide the opportunity to put your newly acquired knowledge to practice in a safe environment of your peers.
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Horse Behavior and Communication Workshop
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Joan Myers
has been a PATH International Certified Advanced Instructor since 1995, has been an active member of the therapeutic riding profession for over 25 years, and is currently a full-time Advanced Instructor at Little Bit. She graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor's degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies with a Therapeutic option. Joan has received a number of awards for her professional work including Certified Professional of the Year for PATH Region 9, and was nominated by staff for the Alena Sorm, Never, Never, Never Quit Award in 2014. Five years ago, Joan became interested in Liberty Training based on Carolyn Resnick's Seven Waterhole Rituals. Since then, she has attended several workshops to gain an understanding of how to develop a strong mutual bond with the horse and is excited to share her knowledge with you at Little Bit.
Horse Behavior and Communication will be held on Saturday, April 2nd from 10 AM - 12 Noon.
The workshop will address how horses communicate with us and how we can better understand and interpret their signals. In addition, Joan will discuss what, from the horse's perspective, makes a good leader or volunteer.
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
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Paddock Training occurs every week of Winter Session: Wednesdays, 4 - 5 PM
Thursdays, 11 - 12 PM
Saturdays, 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Paddock Tra
ined volunteers can catch and turn out horses.
Horse Leader Level I
Wed, March
23
, 6 - 8:30 PM
If you're interested in leading horses during class, this is the training
for you!
Horse Leader Level II
Thurs, March 17
, 7 - 9 PM
An
excellent opportunity to brush up on or expand your leading skills!
Training Team
Mon, March 21,
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Training Team members lend expertise and assist in training new volunteers during Program Volunteer Trainings.
In order to participate, volunteers must have at least eight hours of service in the arena, successfully passed Horse Leader Training Level I, and enjoy working with people.
Please email
Melanie Renk
to sign up for any of the above opportunities!
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Little Bit's NEW Green Team
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Little Bit is forming a "Green Team" that will focus on
environmentally sustainable practices and education for our st
aff and volunteers.
If you are interested in becoming a member of Little Bit's new "Green Team," please
contact
Wayne Miller
, Facilities Director, for more information.
Also - Keep your eye out for futur
e "G
reen Team
messages and hints"
to help us be the best stewards of Dunmire Stables.
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Meet our Staff: Kelli Imlay
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What do you do here, including your official title?
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Andrea Imlay; Jensen Ackles; Kelli Imlay
Photo Credit: Chris Schmelke
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Donor Database Coordinator. I maintain records of all donations and make sure that the thank yo
u/tax receipts go out. Previous jobs were Event Director, Publications Director, and various combinations o
f that. Always about the fundraising.
How long have you worked for Little Bit?
Jan. 2000 to Aug. 2010. Came back again June 2014. I am sad that it appears to be winding to an end.*
What do you love most about Little Bit?
Truly making a difference in the lives of others.
Do you have a
fun story to share about Little Bit?
So many with that many years. One of my favorites: Kathy, Little Bit's former Executive Director, and I were meeting with a group
of auction committee members - actually, we were arguing. A rider parent popped in to tell Kathy how happy she was to be back after her son had been home-b
ound
with a serious illness. She wanted everyone to know what a difference riding made in the quality of her son's life. She apologized for interrupting and closed the door. We all sat in silence for a bit, stunned. After passing the Kleenex around we fou
nd that there just wa
sn't anything to argue about. To have that reminder of why we were doing the auction in the first place was such perfect ti
ming.
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Andrea Imlay; Misha Collins; Kelli Imlay;Mark Sheppard
Photo Credit: Chris Schmelke |
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
S
crapbooking
, time with family and dogs.
Cooking and winemaking.
What is the one place or country you would like to visit?
Great Britain
Do you have a favorite food or drink?
Mushroom lasagna and a fine champagne.
Tell us something fun about yourself.
I am obsessed with the tel
evisi
on show Supernatural. Last year was the first time one of their C
reation conventions came to Seattle and we got to meet the stars. Looking forward to another convention coming up in March!
*
After 12 years of full-time employment, Kelli Imlay will be leaving Little Bit at the end of March, but certainly not our Little Bit Community, to focus on family commitments. We wish the very best for Kelli, Scott, Andrea and the rest of their family.
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Become our Facebook Fan!
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Become a fan of Little Bit on
Facebook and get more information about events, new horses, and more!
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Archived Volunteer Bulletins
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