Summer is Here!
Summer Session is off to a great start!! The horses walked right back into the arena without hesitation, and our volunteers have done an amazing job with all of our clients- both new and returning! Thank you for helping this session start smoothly!!
If you need to check your class time, click link below for the attendance log.
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Welcome to the newest members of the SMILES team!
Jordyn Waite
Ava Peterson
Courtney Meyer
Eileen Meyer
Ashlynn Prah
Jess Schroeder
We are also welcoming back two returning volunteers, Elaine West & Julie Barganz! We are so happy to have you all as part of the SMILES family!!
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We will be having classes in the outdoor arena as much as possible this summer! SMILES will provide bug spray and sunscreen if needed, and we will have cold drinks available as much as possible! Please remember to bring a hat or sunglasses! Our Instructors will always help you through the process if you have not had classes outside before. The horses and clients love it outside, and we hope you do too!
We'd like to give a big shout out to Glenn and Liz Boss for recreating our Wishing Well that is found in Buckaroo Bend! With the improved version, clients can crank the bucket up and down from the saddle! Glenn also added a handle to the bucket so that volunteers can assist the client if needed. We are SO EXCITED to give this a try! Thank you, Glenn and Liz!
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Thank you to Mark Hanson for repainting our mailboxes in the indoor arena! They look amazing! And the colors are so clear and perfect to direct our clients to. Thank you, Mark, for taking on this project! |
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We have a small rec ride scheduled for Friday, July 9, at 1:30pm. This is a group of 4 participants, who will ONLY be doing 30 minutes of riding (no other stations). We need a few horse leaders and 1-2 side walkers. If you are interested in helping, please sign up using the form below. Thank you!
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We are so excited that we have new phones in the office! We appreciate your patience during the last year or two as we have struggled with our phones.
There are NEW MENU OPTIONS when you call in, helping you directly connect with the person that you wish to speak to.
**PLEASE READ!** If you are calling to CANCEL for class, there is a specific option you will dial! (PRESS 5) That will direct you to a general voicemail box that every staff member can access. Please do not leave a voicemail for me directly if you are cancelling for class! If I am out of the office, that message will not be received until I am back in. It's very important that you use the extension specific for cancellations. Thank you for your cooperation!
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Happy Retirement, Django!
After 5 years of service, Django's ready to hang up his therapy halter and move home with his previous owner where he will spend the rest of his days relaxing! At 20 years old, Django will be doing leisure rides and spending his days grazing in his new beautiful pasture. Although he will be missed both in class and in the barn, we are very happy Django will receive such a happy retirement with his favorite human!
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Welcome Buster!
We are excited to have Buster officially joining us on the Summer Session roster! Buster came to SMILES from "Impact Equine Rescue" in Michigan. He is goofy and loves attention and we are excited to see the bonds he creates with his new riders. He has started off the session with perfect manners, and an eagerness to help his special clients! SMILES is so lucky to have a horse like Buster in our barn. The picture shows Buster's very first client, Jacob, riding him, and I think they look great together! Be sure to tell him "hi" if you see him in your class!
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Fly Mask/Fly Spray Revisted! |
Summer is fly season! Please watch this video we made last year about fly masks (how to put on and take off) and how to fly spray your horse correctly. The horses will thank you! |
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SMILES' YouTube Channel
Click the link below to subscribe to our YouTube channel!
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July Spotlight is.....Julia Tretter (Coy)!!
How did you become involved with SMILES, and how long have you been volunteering?
I wanted to volunteer when I was younger and my Grandmother Lydia B. was the announcer for the SMILES horse shows but I was too young at the time. When I moved back to Wisconsin in June of 2020 I signed up to volunteer as soon as I was able to.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up here in Delavan until I was about 14 and moved out of state.
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Who is your favorite horse at SMILES and why?
I would say that it is a toss up between Rio and Bullet. I love working with Bullet and feel like I could take on the world when we are working together. With Rio I feel like I have a connection from my soul and will go say hello and give him love before I start my day at SMILES. Rio makes the world disappear and my heart feel whole.
If you were gifted a million dollars, what would you do with it?
If I were gifted a million dollars, I would help my family members pay off their debts and have a new reliable car. I would also donate to SMILES for their well being and finally I would work to get a small farm plot that I can have a small barn and keep my personal horses so I can be close and work with them every day.
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What is something you like to do in July?
In July, I would like to take my kids out to do something fun like visit Six Flags Great America or the Wisconsin Dells.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at SMILES?
I immensely enjoy being with the horses. I also enjoy the fantastic people/volunteers I have met and the clients that I have had the privilege of working with. When I see them grow and improve themselves, I feel like we all won the lottery and am so happy that I was able to witness their growth and advancements.
Is there anything else you'd like your fellow volunteers to know?
I am grateful and humbled by all of the wonderful people I have met and their willingness to teach me something new and include me each and every time I come through the SMILES doors. I would also say that sleeping under the Northern Lights and owning my own horse are in the top 5 things on my bucket list.
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Special thank you to all of the volunteers who helped to make the "Mane" Event golf fundraiser a huge success!! We have broken all records for the most raised at our golf outing and all because of your help! The event has raised over $70,000 for the SMILES Program!!! Way to go everyone!!
During this year's event, we challenged participants to help us reach a $7,000 goal to fund a new SureHands Lift for our riders. They didn't disappoint! So many came forward to donate towards this cause. We not only met our goal, but exceeded it! We already have the new lift installed and in action! THANK YOU to those who were able to help us with this emergency need.
Results from the basket challenge: "Kidding Around" basket. We were able to create a Boys Basket and a Girls Basket! Great work everyone! Together we were able to generate over $800 for the SMILES program plus create a ton of excitement at the silent auction table!
Next up: Horse Show, July 17th and 18th at the Walworth County Fairgrounds.
Email Liz if you are interested in helping
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Judy, Geoff, Leslie (Wine Pull and Card Tree) |
Judy and Joanie
(Games on the course)
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Tiffany, Danielle, Rita (Raffles) |
Gail and Tammie (Registration) |
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Nick (videographer) and Cindy (committee) |
Bonnie
(Committee and Registration)
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Mark
(Set up and Comfort Cart)
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Julieta, Elena, Geoff (Raffles) |
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Rita and Suzanne (Raffles) |
Glenn and Liz Boss (Committee) |
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Abby
(Games on the course)
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July Birthdays at SMILES! |
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Julie Barganz, July 8
Dennis Lytle, July 10
Kim Good, July 13
Kurtis Boss, July 14
Cindy Seichter, July 14
Maureen Doheny, July 15
Maddie Bamford, July 17
Danielle Tayler, July 21
Mark Hanson, July 27
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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. |
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