\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t“The program works for all kids, but in different ways,” Stevenson said. For example, she watched a young man who was quite withdrawn when he first came to the stable, gradually display his increased confidence through his physical posture and willingness to speak with Stevenson about his passion for movies.<\/p>\n
“He opened up a lot,” she said.<\/p>\n
Stevenson, an Island Lakes resident, said she was looking for a volunteer opportunity to allow her to make a positive difference. She came across an article on the Urban Stable program and contacted MacDonald.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been riding horses most of my life,” Stevenson said. She is also trained in organizational psychology so is able to use her academic knowledge and work experience when volunteering with Urban Stable. It’s been a very rewarding experience for her.<\/p>\n
“I feel I get a personal benefit.”<\/p>\n
Stevenson said each student is able to choose the horse that they feel is right for them.
“Horses come in all shapes and sizes and personalities just like people,” she said.<\/p>\n
Urban Stable is a victim of its own success as it has grown over the past 17 years. This session involves 48 student participants in Grades 5 to 8 from schools in Seine River, Red River Valley, Prairie Rose and Pembina Trails school divisions attending morning and afternoon sessions three days a week. The fall session includes students from St. Norbert, Oak Bluff, Starbuck and Sanford schools and will expand to St. Francois Xavier School.<\/p>\n
Stevenson said school staff identify students who they feel could benefit from taking part in an Urban Stable session. The fall session runs over two six-week periods ending in early December, while there are two seven-week spring sessions starting in February and running until the end of May.<\/p>\n
MacDonald said because of the higher number of students and changes among her volunteers, she’s looking for new people interested in devoting their spare time to helping with the program.<\/p>\n
“The volunteer role is one-on-one with the horse and student,” she said. “We do prefer volunteers who have some horse experience.”<\/p>\n
Abuse registry and criminal record checks are required and Urban Stable is required to abide by standards set out under the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association. MacDonald said new volunteers are given training on these standards.<\/p>\n
Some older students who previously participated in the program have returned as volunteers, but MacDonald said, the more volunteers they have, the more the program can expand.<\/p>\n
Stevenson said, for someone who lacks experience with horses, there are also volunteer opportunities on Urban Stable’s board as well as helping with fundraisers to support the program.<\/p>\n
For information on volunteering, please contact program director Hayley Edwards at urbanstableprogram@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n