VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — DECEMBER 2018

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for May is Julie Baldwin.

Julie has been a resident of Northern Virginia area for 20 years. She learned about Rainbow while working in a local high school, and came out to train in August of 2017.

In spite of her busy schedule at home, Julie volunteers for multiple lessons each week as a sidewalker. Sidewalkers have the important job of walking alongside the rider, providing support if needed. She has always enjoyed working with children, but being around horses is a new experience for Julie. She has really enjoyed learning about them, and has even taken up riding lessons at a local lesson barn.

Thank you, Julie, for your continued support at Rainbow. We are glad you are enjoying your volunteer experience while making it possible for others to enjoy and benefit from therapeutic riding!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — SEPTEMBER 2018

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for May is Valerie Yeakle.

Valerie came to Rainbow to volunteer in May of this year.   A social worker in the ER at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Valerie received her Master's in Social Work from George Mason University in 2016.  She lived in California for a couple years. While there, she volunteered with J.F Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano.  Valerie fell in love with therapeutic riding, and is interested in becoming a PATH instructor someday. She started riding at Shenandoah River Farm in Strasburg, Virginia when she was 12,  and worked at the stables, helped to train horses, and helped manage the barn for about seven years. Valerie also owned her own horse in high school; a Percheron named " Petite V" (pictured here).

Valerie says:  “What I like best as a volunteer is seeing the joy that riding brings the students at Rainbow.   It makes it all worthwhile. Volunteering at Rainbow has easily become my favorite part of the week and I'm so grateful that I am able to be a part of the team here.”

We are grateful too, for your help, Valerie!  Thank you for joining our volunteer family here at Rainbow Therapeutic Riding!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — AUGUST 2018

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for May is Anna Sauls.

Anna came to Rainbow as soon as she was old enough to volunteer at the Center.  After completing volunteer training, she began right away helping with lessons as a sidewalker.  She also has helped with barn chores, summer camps and with our Fall Open House and outdoor concert.  

Currently a senior at Battlefield High School, Anna plans to study clinical neuroscience while continuing to volunteer after graduation.

Anna is  a regular sidewalker on our busy Wednesday afternoon team.   Students and instructors alike appreciate Anna’s reliability and her  quiet confidence. At home, Anna enjoys hiking, cooking and playing video games.

Thank you, Anna for your help over the past few years! We’re so glad you’re a part of our Rainbow Volunteer Family!  

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — MAY 2018

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for May is Carol Bachmann.

Carol came to our Volunteer Training in February of this year.  She jumped right in helping in any way she could; Sidewalking, barn chores as well as helping with our Fun Show.  Carol writes about her volunteer experience:

“I have been blessed in more ways than I can count.  After retiring from 44 years of various forms of government service, I wanted to give back.  I’ve loved horses all my life. I knew of therapeutic riding places through watching “Horses that Heal” on Ride TV.  When we moved to Haymarket last year, I did some online research to see what places might be nearby. As luck would have it, Rainbow turned out to be 10 minutes from my house.  I visited Rainbow one day, and loved what I saw. I signed up for training in February, and it took off from there. I love every minute of being at Rainbow, whether I’m doing barn chores, sidewalking, or just visiting the horses and staff.  I get to feel those soft noses in my hand and see the smile on a child’s face. That’s worth everything.”

Thank you Carol for all your hard work and dedication!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — FEBRUARY 2018

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for February is Kim Nykanen.

Kim has always enjoyed being with children, and around horses. Before relocating to the Northern Virginia area, Kim had volunteered with a variety of therapeutic riding programs in three other states. When her husband retired from the Army and took a job in Washington, DC, Kim looked for a therapeutic riding organization in the area that she could become involved with. We are so glad she came to us at Rainbow!

Like all new volunteers, Kim attended a training session for new volunteers. She quickly became a regular and reliable sidewalker for some of our weekday afternoon classes. When we were looking for a Saturday Greeter, Kim stepped up to fill that role. Throughout the summer, fall and winter of 2017, Kim kept the coffee hot, the water cold, and kept our families feeling welcome as they arrived for Saturday lessons. As a retired mental health counselor for children, Kim has a natural ability of making others feel at home and at ease.

Thank you, Kim, for giving your time and talents to us here at Rainbow. We are so fortunate to have capable and caring volunteers like you!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — NOVEMBER 2017

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for November is Dave Jerome

Dave came to Rainbow because one of his cycling mates and Rainbow volunteer, Bob Shannon, told him about our mission “and the good work that you do”. Dave joined our Volunteer Team in April this year. He and Bob have been our “go – to” farm work/maintenance helpers extraordinaire. Both regularly help with lessons as well.

In addition to volunteering at Rainbow, Dave is an avid cyclist, who rides approximately 35 miles per day! He also serves as Chairman of the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. Dave says: “I encourage others to check out the Rainbow Riding Center and see first hand the impact that they have and the great things that they do.”

Thank you, Dave, for being a valued part of that impact, and helping us in so many ways at Rainbow.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — OCTOBER 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for October is Donna Burkhardt.

Donna was drawn to Rainbow by her love of horses, and their innate ability to relate to humans in an honest and helpful way. She attended our December 2016 training session and jumped right into sidewalking in lessons.

Donna says, “I am fortunate to have found such a positive place as Rainbow, and it’s almost in my backyard! Rainbow’s staff and students always make volunteers feel important and welcome. I always leave Rainbow having learned valuable lessons and tips from the staff, the students and, of course, the wonderful horses!”

We are so glad Donna is a member of our dedicated team of Sidewalkers and Horse Leaders! She volunteers regularly for lessons on two weekdays and is often one of the first to respond when a fill-in is needed.

Thank you, Donna, for putting your love of horses and interest in helping, to good here at Rainbow!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — SEPTEMBER 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for September is Nicole Dabney.

Nicole has been a valued volunteer for over five years here at Rainbow. In that time she has probably worn out a lot of shoes (Sidewalking and Horse Leading as much as she does)! Nicole Horse Leads twice during the week, and on Saturdays, and exercises horses as well! We are so fortunate to have capable, dedicated young people like Nicole on our Volunteer Team.

A 2016 graduate of Fairfax High School, Nicole is currently attending Northern Virginia community college. She is also a budding fashion designer, with a few of her own original creations!

Thank you, Nicole, for all of the ways you help our riders, horses and instructors here at Rainbow!

Photo credit: Mary Vardi – (Students had a special treat on Halloween- Goodies from their instructor, and volunteers dressed in costume! Nicole took some time between lessons to exercise Charlie, one of our beloved lesson horses.)