Assessment

December 19,2011

(TS) Nervously, frigidly, and unfamiliarly, I walked through the automatic sliding doors into an area unknown to me. (SD) This was how I felt on my first day at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center. (CM) I was pleased to meet the volunteer coordinator, Courtney Bernard, whom I had talked to over the phone, and I learned about the different people that come to High Hopes as a place to de-stress and exercise for people of all ages with disabilities such as Down syndrome and autism. (CM) On the physical aspect of my visit, I felt overly tense and nervous, but when I began walking next to the horse for side-walking, every bit of anxious stiffness danced out of me like maple leaves floating down from the trees to the ground during autumn. (CM) I learned how mount and dismount the children, and to do the arm over and ankle holds for different people with different needs, because many of them may need repositioning and support. (CM) The horses are also very old, and some of them are fatigued and have arthritis, so I am also giving the animals exercise and helping maintain their health. (SD) My emotions were scattered and mixed during my visit. (CM) For some reason, I was not as relaxed as I will be on my next visit, because today I felt new and clueless. (CM) It felt good to know that I was helping others that have special needs, and that I can do something to change their lives, or at least make them enjoyable. (CM) Meeting one of the horses was nice for me, because I didn’t know much about horses and now I have attained more knowledge about the beautiful animals. (CM) Also, I left feeling more comfortable and excited to become more involved with the staff members, horses and especially the riders the next time around. (CS) Even though the temperature was low, the expectations are high at High Hopes, and I feel prepared to take on the tasks that lie ahead for my service-learning project.