Post by samika on Jan 6, 2010 21:56:23 GMT -5
Hello SAFE Volunteers. I actually signed up to be a volunteer about a year ago and have followed many of the threads regularly, but because work has been a little too busy, and I am decidedly on the shy side, I am just now getting around to introducing myself on the boards - the final motivation was to mention the upcoming Ritter clinic since it seemed there might be some interest among this group - and then it would provide an opportunity to meet some Portland-area SAFE people¡K
I¡¦m a big fan of the work SAFE does. There are some terrible things that happen in the world, and it takes such effort to repair the damage, but to watch the abused/neglected horses that SAFE takes in recover and thrive and to know that their safety and well-being will always be assured is most life-affirming and, maybe, offers our species a sliver of redemption.
I started dressage lessons 2 years ago (at age 48). When I was a kid I rode western for a few years, but never had any formal lessons. The only things that stuck with me from those early years were some bad habits (did I even have any good ones?) and an inescapable passion for horses ¡V but that¡¦s been with me since I showed up on earth in the first place. On New Years Eve I became the owner/guardian (read: servant) of a beautiful young mare. We¡¦re a little green for each other, but I have a good trainer and I figure the timing is about right that we will grow old and become pasture puffs together.
I¡¦m located in Portland, so, much as I¡¦d love to, I can¡¦t help with the horse chores - unless we start a Portland branch ƒº - but I would be happy to help with reference checking and with Portland area site visits. Coconut - I¡¦m also a data geek so would be happy to help with figuring out costs associated with (various aspects of) rescue ¡V if your current volunteer for this task loses interest J - or with other number-crunchy tasks that might come up. And I would also be happy to help with some grant-writing (Cardicorgi, I had the pleasure of meeting you a while back and batting around some ideas for grants and would still be happy to help if I can!).
I¡¦m a big fan of the work SAFE does. There are some terrible things that happen in the world, and it takes such effort to repair the damage, but to watch the abused/neglected horses that SAFE takes in recover and thrive and to know that their safety and well-being will always be assured is most life-affirming and, maybe, offers our species a sliver of redemption.
I started dressage lessons 2 years ago (at age 48). When I was a kid I rode western for a few years, but never had any formal lessons. The only things that stuck with me from those early years were some bad habits (did I even have any good ones?) and an inescapable passion for horses ¡V but that¡¦s been with me since I showed up on earth in the first place. On New Years Eve I became the owner/guardian (read: servant) of a beautiful young mare. We¡¦re a little green for each other, but I have a good trainer and I figure the timing is about right that we will grow old and become pasture puffs together.
I¡¦m located in Portland, so, much as I¡¦d love to, I can¡¦t help with the horse chores - unless we start a Portland branch ƒº - but I would be happy to help with reference checking and with Portland area site visits. Coconut - I¡¦m also a data geek so would be happy to help with figuring out costs associated with (various aspects of) rescue ¡V if your current volunteer for this task loses interest J - or with other number-crunchy tasks that might come up. And I would also be happy to help with some grant-writing (Cardicorgi, I had the pleasure of meeting you a while back and batting around some ideas for grants and would still be happy to help if I can!).