TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR RIDERS, FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS

Read how the F.R.E.E. program is making a difference!

“Dear F.R.E.E. volunteers, Skylar had a great year riding in 2011!...She’s gotten stronger and her stamina is much better…We’ve seen improvement in her core strength, balance and walking…Volunteers with your passion and dedication are hard to come by...Whether you help during the rides or behind the scenes, you are very much appreciated...We are grateful for the time you donate...and you are truly making a difference!”  The Family of Skylar H.

“There is no substitute for a program like F.R.E.E. There is just nothing like it. I am in awe of volunteers who selflessly give many, many hours..each week so that my daughter can ride…There is somuch work that goes into a program like F.R.E.E. but the volunteers make it seem effortless…THANK YOU for everything. Is it appreciated beyond measure.”  The Family of Jessica S.

“Thank you for the difference you have made in Ashley’s life…Ashley’s self confidence and self esteem have improved significantly...Also, the intelligibility of Ashley’s speech has improved. (Her) social skills have improved a lot. Ashley loves F.R.E.E…Thanks for all that you do!”  Linda & James B.

“F.R.E.E. has been an amazing program for my daughter Julia. It has helped her in so many areas—- socialization, balance, motor skills and over-all confidence in herself. The volunteers are outstanding. The dedication they give has definitely had a positive impact...You are the BEST!”   Holly and Julia O.

“If we didn’t have our wonderful volunteers, I wouldn’t be able to RIDE! Thanks to every one of you that makes the program possible, from supplying the horses, grooming and saddling them up, keeping me safe walking and trotting, teaching me new skills…and most of all putting a smile on my face and in my heart every week!”   Emily L.

My 4-year-old daughter (Jessica MacQueen) can’t sit still through a short meal. However, she could sit properly on the back of a horse for an hour…What may seem to (the volunteers to be) only a brief intersection of lives is exponentially more significant for my daughter and her family. We were delighted and relieved by the dramatic improvement in speech, coordination and confidence…We are grateful to F.R.E.E. and its volunteers for providing this wonderful learning experience.”   Melissa P.

“Emma is probably one of F.R.E.E.’s most challenging students!...Emma has had a gait trainer...her entire life, and she usually just hung on it, occasionally extending her body and making it move a few inches forward...Then one day she started charging around the room! It was incredible!...Then, as suddenly as she started, she stopped...About a year later Emma started up again! She ran all over the place...for a couple months, and mysteriously stopped...One time she even followed the sound of my voice (Emma being blind) around corners and made her way to the laundry room—wow. I’ve never had my child come to me before, or do anything with real intent and ability. Eventually I realized that Emma would walk/run whenever she was in a F.R.E.E. (six-week) session, and stop when she was out...When she’s out of session, there’s no getting her to move…Therapeutic horseback riding has always been fantastic for her torso strength and muscle control—plus she just plain loves it—but to see her be more mobile on her own is something else. Thank you.” Heather H.

“My favorite part of the horseback riding lessons was when I was able to trot….When I trotted it made me laugh because it was bouncing me up and down…All the volunteers were nice to me and helped me feel safe on the horse.”  Christy R.

“I liked being in the parade and…waving to the people who came to watch us. I liked the people who walked with me when I was riding. They helped me not to fall off the horse. I liked dressing up like a clown with my horse at the horse show.”   Stacey R.

“To our much-appreciated volunteers: Week after lovely week we’ve spent an hour with a favorite group of friendly folk—some of whom are 4-footed and some 2-footed! For your dedication to this cause and for your willing hearts to invest hours, days and weeks of time and energy, we’re grateful…May this inspiring and purposeful opportunity continue to have a large vision for the future, and continue to bless your lives as it has ours.”  Susan & Nick R.