Volunteer Salutes

Meet our recent Volunteers of the Month! We joyously recognize the outstanding efforts of our Volunteers of the Month for all that they do. These volunteers have gone above and beyond the already high standards of CTRC volunteers. We thank them for the hard work, commitment and endless talent they bring to CTRC's program.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2009 - Brenda Cook

CTRC is delighted to announce Brenda Cook as our 2009 Volunteer of the Year. Since January 2006, Brenda has given over 1000 hours to CTRC in lessons as a horse leader and side walker, a member of the Volunteer training team, aiding in horse turn out and turn in, subbing in lessons, and being on the barn team. Additionally, she participated in several Classic riding sessions, our riding lessons for volunteers, to gain and advance her horsemanship and riding skills.

Brenda particularly enjoys being on the training team and taking care of the CTRC horses. Because she deeply cares for our horses, she takes great pleasure in overseeing new volunteers to ensure that they handle the horses respectfully and safely which ultimately creates a safe, comfortable situation for horses, riders, and volunteers.

Brenda currently barn buddies Smokey and Katie, pampering both of them weekly. Brenda says of her two horses: "Katie is a love and Smokey is a challenge." Brenda states that "Smokey has a lot to teach me about working with horses. It’s absolutely remarkable how much you learn here about working with horses." Surprisingly enough, when Brenda began as a lesson volunteer at CTRC, she was scared of horses! Though she has always loved horses, she had not been around them since being a young girl. In the last four years, Brenda has grown greatly as a horse woman, demonstrating how everyone involved at CTRC benefits from the work we do – whether it be the riders who come to learn riding or to do therapy or their volunteers. Brenda believes that horses can be beneficial to everyone – whether riding them or working with them on the ground.

Because Brenda came in with little horse knowledge, she is immensely helpful in relating to and training new volunteers with little horse experience. She is very comforting and reminds new volunteers that there are no dumb questions! When asked what else Brenda would like to note, she adds that there are so many ways to volunteer here – whether it be in lessons or in the office – we can always use the help. Her riders, horses, instructors, and fellow volunteers are happy to have her! We are grateful to have Brenda here to help us in the multiple ways she helps out at CTRC.

Thank you, Brenda!

VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH 2010

	JANUARY: Melanie Bengtson
	FEBRUARY: Diane Kiyota
	MARCH: Wayne Gardner
	APRIL: Dan Fanning
	MAY: Helen Clark