50 People for 50 Years: Barbara Burke, Volunteer
Volunteer Barbara Burke sidewalking for a PT Session with her favorite pony, Ian the Fjord.
Wow, it’s almost 18 years since I started volunteering! When I left AT&T after 24 years I was too young to stop working but I knew I wanted to incorporate regular volunteering into my life. Thanks to a search for “working with animals” and “working with people” on Volunteer Match the opportunity came up with Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center (now Mane Stream). I’m so glad I did!
I love horses and used to ride as a child, so it’s fun to be around our horses and ponies, and to help care for them and prepare them for their important work with clients. I love their different personalities and quirks. That part, I expected to love, and I do.
What I didn’t realize, was how much I would love working with our clients! It is SO rewarding I have seen children get stronger, calmer, more outgoing, and more verbally proficient. I’ve seen adults who light up when they get on that horse. Working with the same clients for an extended time enables me to see their growth and form relationships with them, which have been really special. I watched one client grow over the years into a beautiful young woman with skills I never could have imagined. One of my favorite clients is a young man named Charlie. One freezing day I was sidewalking with him, and his pant leg rode up exposing his bare leg. So, I said, “Charlie, you need to wear nice warm socks! Ones that come up farther!” Well, ever since then, it became a standing joke with us that he would show me his socks every single week and say “Check out my socks, Barb!” Little moments like that warm my heart.
From the start, I was, and continue to be, impressed with the professionalism of what we do at Mane Stream. Staff are fully credentialed and absolutely know their stuff. They are always willing to explain what we are doing and why (we’ve had interesting continuing education over the years too.) I know that the instructors keep up with the very latest in the field, and it shows. It’s great to work with an organization that is known for its excellence and results. I would say in the earlier years it felt a bit more “homey” because things were smaller but as the organization grows and changes you know you are always making a difference!
As for the volunteers…they are fantastic. Everyone is upbeat and friendly. I’ve become friends with many over the years. For a period of time about 10 years ago, we had a group called Team Friday: Anika, Jay and me as therapy volunteers; Angela Rodrigues as speech therapist; and Jen Dermody as instructor. That was the “dream team” and we had so much fun every week. Anika made us all Team Friday T-shirts. I still have mine! Those same bonds that are formed can be hard if a client or instructor moves on, or I switch sessions, or a horse is retired – I really miss them! But there is always someone new to get to know.
Speaking of horses, I have to give a shout out to my favorite horse, Ian, who is a Norwegian Fjord who was retired a few years ago. He was a sweet, fuzzy teddy bear of a horse who I still miss. Prince, a pony with more personality than some of the people I know, and the Fjord Beyra, “the queen of the barn” who liked to sleep in her stall and wouldn’t get up no matter what.
The other thing I remember with a smile is Nikki who would call when she needed me to substitute, saying “This is the begging and pleading line calling!” I love the sense of purpose I get from being able to help. And, when I’m at Mane Stream, I’m in the moment. Any worries or cares I brought in, fade into the background when I’m volunteering.
When I first started volunteering, I had no idea I would get so much out of the experience myself. I’ve worked to “spread the word” by bringing my work group here for our “corporate cares day” and my colleagues still talk about how fun and rewarding it was to help out at Mane Stream, even for a day!
I can honestly say that being a volunteer at Mane Stream has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life.
Barb has tallied up over 1,000 hours of service so far. Thank you Barb!
