Monthly news & updates
October 2022
Upcoming Events

Fall Session
September 26 - November 26
*No Classes:
Saturday, October 22
Thursday/Friday, November 24 & 25

Miles for SMILES
Saturday, October 22

Volunteer Holiday Party- Date Change!
Sunday, December 11
*Details below
Group photo from the 2022
Student Horse Show & Open House!
Session Updates
Fall Session
September 26-November 26

The Fall Session is officially underway! Thank you so much to everyone who signed up to help! Here's an update on what our Fall Session numbers look like each week:

21 Therapeutic Riding Classes
23 HEARTS Sessions
132 Units of Service
185 Volunteer Spots

Every single one of you are part of this snapshot! Every slot filled means that we are able to serve another client! Thank you so much!

**If you have some extra time on your hands, we are still looking for volunteers on Wednesday night, 4:30 & 5:45, and could use an extra volunteer on Saturdays! We also have lots of pre-planned volunteer cancellations, so if you are available to sub, be sure to let me know!
Cancellations Reminder!

If you need to miss a class during the Fall Session, please feel free to email volunteer@smilestherapeuticriding.org...UNLESS you are cancelling the same day you are scheduled to volunteer! In those cases, please CALL (262) 882-3470, and press option 5. This will ensure that the message will be received, even if I am not at my desk and able to check my email. Thank you for your cooperation!
Welcome New Volunteers!

We are so excited to welcome 13 new volunteers for the Fall Session! We are so happy they have joined the team! Please help us welcome our new volunteers if you see them around the barn!
Lisa Kalish
Jim Bendtsen
Sheila Gronau
Melissa Petrick
Madison Bussinger
Cathy Blackburn
Scott Plucinski
Cortney Clary
Ronda Howard
Madlynne Neuls
Brenda Wiedmer
Mallory Ford
Simon Ford
Training & Education
Because my focus has been on getting volunteer slots filled for the Fall Session, I was unable to complete a training video this month. We will get a new one out to you as soon as possible! However, if you have any ideas for training videos in the future, please email me and let me know!
For those of you who are newer to the SMILES family, please feel free to check out our YouTube channel for some past videos! We have over 30 videos, so you can definitely take advantage of further education!
Trotting Workshop Recap!

We had 24 volunteers attend the most recent volunteer workshop in September! The Instructors and I had a lot of fun leading this workshop, and I have already received a lot of positive feedback from those who attended! It was a great way to practice our horse handling skills at the trot, and get a chance to feel what our clients feel every time we trot in class! Thank you so much for attending this fun workshop! Stay tuned for future workshop opportunities! We have a few fun ideas planned for you!
Event Updates
Student Horse Show Thank You!

Wow, what a great day we had for the Student Horse Show & Open House!! We had beautiful weather, fun activities, good food, and a ton of SMILES! We can't thank the volunteers enough who helped us prepare and pull off this great event! Take a look at some of the pictures we have by clicking the link below!
Miles for SMILES 5K!
Saturday, October 22

We are looking for volunteers for our last big event of the year- the Miles for SMILES 5k and Breakfast at the Barn! Jobs include helping set up/decorate the day before the event, registration, manning games on the trick-or-treat trail, and more! Interested in helping? Click the button below to sign up!
Maybe instead of volunteering, you'd like to participate in the event! You do not need to be a runner to participate! Walk the SMILES grounds and visit with the horses as you go, participate in the costume contest, help vote during the horse costume contest, and enjoy breakfast at this family-friendly fall event!
Save the Date!!
Annual Volunteer Holiday Party!

We are soooooo excited about this year's Volunteer Holiday Party!! We have a fun, new event planned for this year's celebration, which will require a date change than what was originally on the calendar. Instead of Saturday, December 3, we will be celebrating on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at 5:00pm. Save the date now, and we will announce more details soon!
New SMILES Apparel Coming Soon
We are pleased to announce that we are offering some new SMILES apparel! Here's what we will have for sale starting the second week in October:

  • SMILES Beanie- $15
  • SMILES Long-Sleeve T-Shirt- $20
  • SMILES 15" Laptop Backpack- $35

In addition to those fun items, we are offering our volunteers an opportunity to "pre-order" a SMILES flannel shirt! Men's and ladies cut available. Click the button below if you'd like to pre-order!

Pre-order deadline is October 9th.
*First available pick-up date is the day of the 5K event!
Ladies'
  • Size XS-3XL
  • Fabric: 4.4-oz 60/40 cotton/polyester
  • Open Spread Collar
  • Standard placket with black buttons
  • Roll-up sleeves with button tabs
  • Bias-cut back yoke with shoulder pleats
  • Longer tunic length
  • Shirttail hem
  • Embroidery on the left chest with the SMILES logo
Men's
  • Size XS-3XL
  • Fabric: 4.4-oz 60/40 cotton/polyester
  • Open Spread Collar
  • Standard placket with black buttons
  • Bias-cut front chest pockets with button flaps
  • Adjustable button cuffs
  • Bias-cut back yoke with shoulder pleats
  • Shirttail hem
  • Embroidery on the left chest with the SMILES logo
October Volunteer Spotlight
October Spotlight is on....Cindy Lapidakis!!

How did you become involved with SMILES, and how long have you been volunteering?

My involvement started as a participant in the annual SMILES Golf Outing several years ago. As time went on our company, Royal Basket Trucks, chose SMILES to support. In 2021 and 2022 I participated on the Golf Outing planning committee. It was at that time that I learned about the need for more volunteers, so I signed up. I have been volunteering since the spring of 2021.
Where did you grow up?

Stoughton, Wisconsin

Who is your favorite horse at SMILES and why?

All of the horses are special in their own way, but Holly has my heart. She is tough on the outside but soft and sensitive when she lets you into her world. 

If you were gifted a million dollars, what would you do with it?

I would donate a large portion to SMILES and I would take some time away to travel.
What is something you like to do in October?

Spend time outdoors as much as possible to enjoy the fall weather and watch college football on Saturdays.

What do you enjoy about volunteering at SMILES?

I find great joy in spending time with students. I also gain a sense of balance and an opportunity to refocus each week while spending time with the horses and volunteer team.
Ribbon & Trophy Donation Update
Many of you know that SMILES has taken in donations of ribbons and trophies over the years. We disassemble them and rebuild them for our Student Horse Show. Over the past few years, however, we have been overrun with trophy donations, so we will no longer be accepting donations of ribbons and trophies going forward. Students will receive new trophies at future horse shows (stay tuned for a sponsorship opportunity!). Please let me know if you have any questions about this!
October Birthdays at SMILES!

Happy Birthday!

Liana Wiegel, October 1
Alison Packard, October 1
Dave Williams, October 6
Carolyn Rosenthal, October 6
Adriane Kramer, October 13
Monica Tomasello, October 14
Michael Sylvester, October 17
Lin Mattila, October 20
Shara Storandt, October 22
Liz Boss, October 25
Kathy Monestero, October 29
Find us online!

SMILES transcends traditional therapeutic methods by offering individuals with special needs the joy of participating in an equine-assisted program which provides social, emotional, physical and personal rewards.