The surprising benefits of Volunteering
I found the true meaning of gratitude, by giving back.
My experience volunteering:
I joined a company two years ago that devotes 1% of all employees time by giving back to their local communities. When I joined I decided I would get involved with whatever spoke to my heart. I wanted to “lean in” by aligning with the company’s values. My first quarter in the role I bumped into Joey Ogburn, Founder of Mini Angel Eyes, on the Pinnacle Peak Hiking Trail in Scottsdale, AZ. She was hiking with two miniature horses. The Mini’s had just worked a five hour Equine Therapy session at Child Help in Phoenix, AZ. Joey treated them with a hike for being so good. More on this shortly.
My fondest childhood memories are tied to horses & barrel racing in the Bitterroot Valley in Hamilton, MT. My obsession with Horses started at birth. I spent every free moment of my childhood at the stables, caring for horses and learning how to ride. When I turned twelve my parents surprised me with the most beautiful Quarter Horse named Velvet. She was absolute perfection. Up until this point, I had only ridden stable horses. My Dad told me, “kid, make sure you hang on”. I had no idea how powerful an All American Quarter Horse trained for cattle driving was. It was like going from a peddle bicycle to a motorcycle. I learned so many values from my time in Montana. Life lessons that enriched my childhood and set a strong foundation for life.
During the summer I would ride Velvet to the Fairgrounds everyday, leaving the house at 7am and returning by dark. I lived in a very small town where this was safe. My first summer with Velvet I taught myself how to barrel race. I would watch experienced riders practice in the arena at the Fairgrounds. I studied them for days on end and learned every move. I have the utmost admiration for the sport, which requires complete mind-body connection. I decided to give it a try, sans lessons, all self taught. My horse was a natural, she could turn on a dime and was so athletic. My first try in the arena and I was hooked. The rush was better than any Disneyland Roller Coaster I had experienced. I practiced everyday for hours, all summer long. My Father used to tell me, “practice makes for perfection” and this foundation has served me so well.
I entered the first kids rodeo where I competed in barrel racing, pole bending, and goat tying; yes goat tying. Goat tying is the kids version of calf roping. The difference is the poor little goat is tied to a post. You run your horse across the arena, jump off, flip the goat over and tie it’s legs. Every competition I entered with Velvet, I won. I walked away with so many blue ribbons. My dream had come true, I finally had my very own horse. Sadly since leaving Montana to pursue my career in High Tech, I haven’t spent much time at the stables.
Fast forward 30 years when I met Joey. I had never seen a miniature horse. Aside from being adorable, there is something very special about how intuitive they are. The average Mini stands between 34-38” tall. Miniature horses are smart, intuitive, and they have an innate instinct where they know who needs help. It is truly amazing to see them working. I exchanged information with Joey and then went back to my busy life. Three weeks later I bumped into Joey for the second time. Joey was socializing a Miniature Therapy horse “in training” at Safeway close to my home. This was the sign I was looking for. I visited Mini Angel Eyes to learn more about their charter & started volunteering immediately.
Over the past two years I have been volunteering at Mini Angel Eyes. I donate funds, muck stalls, feed, walk, care for the horses, developed a digital strategy, learned how to raise funds leveraging social media for awareness, and I attend events when needed as a Mini handler. For my employer I committed to volunteer one full week per year. My first year I ended up at Mini Angel Eyes almost every weekend, both days. I stopped reporting my hours because I was spending most of my free time at the Ranch. My love for horses has been renewed. I have learned about the benefits of Equine Therapy for at risk children, veterans, professionals with PTSD, patients in Oncology, Memory Care Center patients and staff, or events to help those suffering with the healing benefits of Equine Therapy.
What started out as a volunteering requirement has turned into so much more. Volunteering has become, “my heart project”. I have been enlightened about how great it feels to help others, to give back by getting involved and how much this has enriched my life. The benefits have far outweighed the time investment, not only professionally but personally. I am beyond grateful for the experience. My hope is to inspire you to find your heart project. I used to tell myself I just don’t have free time. I promise, you can & will be so grateful once you commit. Find a project that speaks to you, get involved, you will be delighted.
Volunteering Benefits:
Volunteering is empowering, humbling , and it will make your heart happy
Volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety
Volunteering connects you with others on a deeper level.
Learn new skills
Enrich your community by giving back
Meet new people from all walks of life
For those with scientific minds. Mayo & Harvard articles:
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/helping-people-changing-lives-the-6-health-benefits-of-volunteering
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/volunteering-may-be-good-for-body-and-mind-201306266428
About Mini Angel Eyes:
Mini Angel Eyes (MAE) provides animal assisted therapy to facilities & homes serving abused, at risk children, veterans w/PTSD, hospitals, senior centers, and government agencies. Teams consist of an owner and a miniature horse offering strength and hope to those in need.
It is difficult to describe or explain what happens when a person who is rich, poor, broken, abused, neglected, unloveable, or at risk meets a mini for the first time. It is a magical moment and has changed so many lives for the better. There, in that moment, a new journey begins.
For some this journey is finding self love, finding their voice, gathering self courage & confidence. A horse offers healing energy like no other animal. Miniature horses are intuitive, aware of feelings, and extremely nurturing. To witness these transformations is truly a gift. All of our Mini’s are rescued from kill pens and rehabilitated. Those with the right temperament are trained for Equine Therapy. The res of our Mini’s, join loving families in their forever homes. In 2019 Joey rescued over 40 miniature horses. Most of them were rescued from kill pens and the majority have gone on to be Equine Therapy Mini’s. I am grateful for Joey’s devotion to saving and enriching lives.
At Mini Angel Eyes we are blessed and thankful each day to contribute to those in need, changing lives with each encounter.
Mini Angel Eyes services are offered free of charge. A registered 501(c3) made possible by our generous donors. Locations in Windsor, CA and Scottsdale, AZ. To donate go to www.miniangeleyes.org , To follow MAE on Facebook & Instagram @miniangeleyes. If you are in the Bay Area and want to treat your family to a visit, sign up on Facebook. To get involved reach out to Joey on Facebook messenger.
Benefits of Equine Therapy:
https://www.crchealth.com/types-of-therapy/what-is-equine-therapy/
Employee Volunteering & Giving:
Salesforce empowers every employee to become a citizen philanthropist. Giving back isn’t just a perk of working at Salesforce; it’s core to the culture. Salesforce employees get seven paid days of volunteer time off (VTO) each year. From volunteering at a school to supporting food banks and sharing their technical expertise with nonprofits through our Pro Bono Program, our citizen philanthropists use their VTO to make the world a better place. We also match employees’ donations to eligible nonprofit organizations up to USD $5,000 per year, doubling the impact of their charitable giving.
With the state of the world right now. Volunteering has given me a greater purpose. I am so thankful I joined a company with this value.
If you already volunteer please leave comments on how Volunteering has enriched your life.
Written by Linda Victory
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