My volunteer day

In 2010, AMA introduced a paid volunteer day to its staff. This is my experience.

by Diane Bégin

Back in 2006, when volunteering with a women’s service organization I became aware of Hearts & Hooves.

Michelle Kropp started the organization in Sherwood Park that rescues mini and dwarf horses.

The minis and dwarfs visit facilities like hospitals and palliative care centres to bring cheer to people.

In 2006, our women’s service organization had given a grant to Hearts & Hooves to help build a place for visitors on their farm.

We also had a chance to tag along on a visit.

Michelle

Me

Ever since, I’ve wanted to volunteer with them again, so when AMA introduced its volunteer day, I jumped at the opportunity.

It was a GREAT way to get out of the office and enjoy the summer sun!

Diane Comeau was our guide for the scheduled visits in Fort Saskatchewan on July 22.

She’s just amazing with both horses and people.

She’s a student in the University of Alberta agriculture program.

There were also a number of human volunteers and of course, five of ourfour legged friends.

My buddy for the day in the bottom picture was Timbit.

General

Diane C. bought Timbit at an auction. Because he was overweight, she called him Timbit.

Timbit’s skin quivers when you touch him – a result of the abuse he suffered before being rescued.

Fortunately, he warmed to me quickly.

We met at the corral in the parks area in Fort Saskatchewan where the horses could eat and run around a little. (the humans ran around a little too)

Our whole day involved walkingfrom location to location from about 10am until 2pm.

Because it was a beautiful sunny day, we stayed outside, but we did go inside one seniors’ facility with the horses.

We (well the horses) were a magnet for people when walking around town.

The best part was chatting with seniors who seemed so happy we were visiting.

Even cleaning up after the horses wasn’t so bad!

I am very gratefulto have been given the opportunity to volunteer for a day with such a great organization run by such great people!

Special thanks to Diane C., Timbit and everyone who participated on July 22.