“What I enjoy most about my equine-assisted therapy sessions at Sagebrush is the sense of camaraderie with the people on my team. The instructors and volunteers are of the highest caliber. They are thoughtful and intelligent and provide me with a feeling of confidence and comfort. People with Parkinson’s have a tendency to get depressed, so the social aspect of my lesson is the most important to me. I also find that horseback riding helps improve my balance. I have noticed that since starting to ride two years ago, I have had an easier time walking around.”

“Logan gets excited when he knows that he is going to horseback riding. It is his time, the one thing that he gets to do that his brothers don’t, and he loves it. I believe that his core has become more strengthened from riding. Logan has left side hemiparesis, and when he first started riding at Sagebrush a year and a half ago, he didn’t walk. Now, he sits up straighter and he walks more equally, weight bearing in both legs. For a while I wanted to keep Logan sheltered, to protect him. Now I love that he has this experience, that he gets to come ride and interact with the horse and with the volunteers.”

“I love the feeling that I get when I come to Sagebrush. The attitudes of the staff and volunteers are what set the mood. I appreciate how they make me feel; so very good at riding, so accomplished. My success in riding helps to drive and motivate me to try hard and to be the best that I can be in everything in my life. I want so badly to be better, to be able to walk without a cane, and I know that I will be able to do just that someday. Since I started riding at Sagebrush a year ago, I feel smoother and more confident when I walk. My horse, Trigger, is a friend who will always do a good job no matter what kind of mood I’m in.”

“When I come to Sagebrush, I’m happy and excited. It is a different side of the world, and I like being there. There are a lot of people there that I trust and can talk to that I can’t at home and other places. I enjoy working with the younger kids; they make me feel happy. I love volunteering on Brandi’s team because she is an example to me. I learn stuff from her like how to talk to people in a good way. She is always so positive. I love riding the horse, Maggie. I’ve gotten really attached to her. Sometimes I get frustrated when she does something I don’t want her to do, but I keep pushing her to where I want her to be and afterwards I am proud of myself.”