Giving more than just time

Pegasus Special Riders hosting volunteer orientation

Lori Hammelman
Posted 3/8/18

Equine-assisted program makes big difference in lives of special needs individuals and the volunteers who help them.

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Giving more than just time

Pegasus Special Riders hosting volunteer orientation

Posted

OREGON — “Volunteers at Pegasus Special Riders do more than give their time and energy, they change lives and help special individuals achieve dreams that they never dreamed possible.” — Darah Bridgeman, Administrator, Pegasus Special Riders, Inc.

Bridgeman welcomes anyone that is interested in volunteering or learning more about the equine-assisted therapy program to a volunteer orientation on Saturday, March 24 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tours of the facility will be available, and those interested can find out about the volunteering positions. Long-term volunteers will also be on hand.

Seasoned volunteer Grace Barnes recently shared how time spent helping others at Pegasus has inspired her to learn a new language.

“Because of my volunteer work at Pegasus, I was introduced to people who predominately/solely communicated through American Sign Language. Before then, I had never interacted with someone who used ASL as their main communication method,” Barnes said.

Barnes said with the help of another Pegasus volunteer, she learned how to sign the alphabet along with some basic words. She took her new knowledge of ASL and communicated with a rider through sign language, telling him how well he did at riding.

“Right after I signed that to him — I won’t ever forget the bright smile I saw and the happiness he got from learning the names of the girls who were working with the horses while leading him around. He even told us that we did a good job signing to him!” Barnes said. “This delightful experience has inspired me to learn how to properly speak in ASL. That is just one of my favorite memories from volunteering at Pegasus and I can’t wait to make more!”

Making a difference

The facility, located in Oregon, sees children and adults with special needs ranging from physically, mentally, and/or emotionally challenged individuals from Ogle and surrounding counties. Pegasus provides a safe, supportive and non-competitive environment and each client’s lesson includes both riding and care of the horse so a relationship can develop between the person and the animal.

The activities at Pegasus are closely supervised by trained instructors and volunteers and provide physical benefits such as strengthening and relaxing muscles, improving posture, balance, coordination, and joint mobility. The psychological benefits include boosting self-esteem, developing self-awareness with the mastery of horsemanship, building self-confidence, and improving concentration.

Bridgeman explained although the outcomes are dependent on a rider’s goals and abilities, the resulting happiness from the riders are universal. The riders also look forward to the lessons and riding a horse they call their own.

“Often the first time someone rides, they start off timid or even afraid but by the end of the lesson they are all smiles and chatter. It is truly amazing to see,” Bridgeman said. “Every time they ride, they want to ride ‘their horse.’ As soon as they arrive for their lesson, you can see their faces light up as they see their horse coming towards them. Once the horse is within close proximity, it is all hugs, pats, and kisses.”

Adding, “horses are incredibly sensitive creatures. They always seem to know exactly what a rider needs.”

Events as Pegasus

The mission of Pegasus Special Riders is to facilitate healing and empowerment through their equine-assisted programs. As well as fulfilling their mission, Pegasus has special events throughout the year including the annual picnic scheduled for Saturday, July 14. Bridgeman noted the picnic will feature horse drawn wagon rides, a magic show, homemade ice cream, and will be catered by Ralphie and Lulu’s. The Horseshoe Ball event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Barnacopia in Polo.

Pegasus Special Riders, Inc. is located at 6668 S. Carthage Rd., Oregon. For more information about Pegasus or the volunteer orientation, please call (815) 973-3177.

Bridgeman welcomes everyone to attend the orientation including high school students in need of Silver Cord hours.

“[Volunteers at Pegasus] make lifelong friends and join a larger community of fun-loving, energetic, individuals passionate about making a difference,” Bridgeman said.