Joseph and Myla take on new challenges at Mane Stream
At Mane Stream, we take immense pride in the growth and independence exhibited by our participants. Joseph O’Leary and Myla Schultz are great examples of participants who were ready for their next challenge. The next step on their Mane Stream journey was to complete the volunteer training so they can help other participants in Mane Stream’s programs.
JOSEPH started in Mane Stream’s therapy services program in February 2018 and moved on to adaptive riding lessons in 2020. In addition, he has attended summer camp for many years. His favorite thing about camp is the lessons in the morning which can have up to 5 other people working on different skills in the arena at the same time. “You learn to navigate with that much going on in the ring!” He became a Mane Stream volunteer about a year ago and he shared with us that he really loves connecting with people from various backgrounds and disabilities. Joseph also competes in the Annual Horse Show. It is not just for the thrill of competing, but also to share his accomplishments with his family. Joseph stated, “My favorite thing about competing at the horse show is that everything looks more formal than an everyday riding lesson.” At the 2022 Horse Show, Joseph won the Abby Clay Rutgers Memorial Award (High Point Independent Rider) and hopes to get his name on the trophy once again this year. We are excited to see Joseph to grow his confidence and communication skills as he continues to be both a participant and a volunteer at Mane Stream.
MYLA, has been part of Mane Stream’s adaptive riding and summer camp communities for the past 8 years and shares a passion for horses and riding with Joseph. She finds joy in caring for the horses and also likes the camaraderie among the volunteers. Competing in the Mane Stream Horse Shows is not just a hobby for Myla; it is an opportunity to showcase her progress for her mom while having a lot of fun in the process. Myla also attends Mane Stream’s Summer Camp and she has progressed to attending the Advanced and Adult weeks. Her enthusiasm for learning is evident, and now she can share in her favorite camp activities when she volunteers with the younger campers. Myla’s journey has empowered her to become more independent and confident, qualities that reflect her growth as a rider and as an individual.
In 2023 Joseph and Myla participated in the multi-step process to become volunteers. That means they attended an online orientation, read the volunteer manual, watched the volunteer training videos, and participated in a hands-on training session. All this demonstrates their commitment to giving back to the community that has supported them. They understand the transformative power of helping others. Their favorite activities—whether it’s tacking up horses or engaging with fellow riders—speak to their desire to be part of something greater than themselves.
As an organization, we are incredibly proud of Joseph and Myla. They embody the values we strive to instill in all our participants and volunteers: resilience, empathy, the joy of shared experiences, and of course a love of horses.
Joseph and Myla inspire us all to foster an inclusive community where everyone is encouraged to grow, learn, and support one another. Their journeys remind us that with compassion and dedication, we can make a difference in the lives of others while enriching our own.
