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In the News
By
Nicole Strittmater
UW-Eau Claire Advanced Reporting Student
November 12, 2007
Members of
NARHA
North American Riding for the Handicapped Association
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Do
you like to garden?
Do you like to spend time with animals?
Do you have organizational skills?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we invite you to join our
team, enhance your skills, and contribute to the success of our program!
Volunteers perform integral roles at our center. Whether your interests
lie in gardening and landscaping, small or large animals, nature and the
environment, or organizational office tasks, we have a place for you!
Volunteer Paperwork
Volunteer Testimonies:
I enjoyed the privilege of being around all kinds of animals. With
assistants, I have helped to build a greenhouse, a workout area for
therapy, a fenced in area and more pasture for the horses.
The ducks, pigs, dogs, cats, horses, ponies, and one cow among other
animals, I have become a friend to all of them.
I have become a friend to many handicapped people. I myself, happen to
be handicapped. Working together the others can understand you can do it
too.
Jerry Hazelwood, Volunteer
I love Nature's Edge because I love working with the animals and I love
children. I also love working with people in general. The reason why I
love the children is because we connect. Some are funny, sweet and are
very curious about the way things work around here. I personally have
gotten to know the animals and some of the people. I know what they
like, and dislike. I have learned so much, just from watching the barn
manager, and the Lundeens themselves. Nature's Edge is my life. Thank
you Nature's Edge.
Sam Waggoner, Volunteer
My first visit to Nature's Edge Therapy Center was to discuss the 4-H
Therapeutic riding program. I ended up staying the day and came home
with a volunteer training manual, fore training videos, and an
application to become a volunteer. I know I had found a very special
place where exciting things were happening and I wanted to be a part of
it.
I am learning so much from the incredible staff. They make me feel like
part of the team. Watching the patients relate to the animals has shown
me what a perfect form of therapy this is for them. This is a
professionally run program but so human and basic. Each child and animal
is unique and special. I look forward to my time with them.
Louise Buchmann, Volunteer
I will never
forget the time I spend at Nature’s Edge. I loved the animals and
enjoyed helping out with the animals and your clients. I will be
working with clients in memory care. And animal therapy will be a
big part of their activities. It is so cool that animals can play
such a big role in our lives no mater where we are at. They enrich
our lives and your Nature’s Edge has enriched mine.
Thanks to you and
all of your staff.
Mary Alice
Christianson
I have lived next door to Nature’s
Edge for 6 years and have watched it grow, but it wasn’t until this fall
that I was able to get involved on a regular basis. I started by
filling in for the barn manager, caring for the animals and handling
horses when she was injured and have enjoyed it so much that I am
continuing as a volunteer. I have learned so much from the staff about
animals and people. I am amazed at how the therapists utilize the
animals and things in everyday life as tools to help their patients.
You can see the animal-human bond at work and viably see the patient’s
progress during a session.
Arlene Poulter-Volunteer
For more information on Volunteer Opportunities,
email Becky at Nature's Edge.




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