Riding to the Top recognizes volunteers' contributions

Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center (RTT) held its annual volunteer appreciation event on Sunday, April 13 to thank their over 160 volunteers. Nick Doria, volunteer coordinator at Riding To The Top RTT noted that “Last year, RTT volunteers recorded over 8,000 hours of service valued at nearly $178,000.” Volunteers serve in many capacities at the center including working with clients in lessons and programs; helping care for the horses; maintaining the barn, paddocks and trails and providing administrative support.

This year Doria and executive director Sarah Bronson recognized the many volunteers whose contributions went “beyond the average commitment” last year. Paulette Shepard (Volunteer of the Year); Julia Hamilton (Youth Volunteer of the Year); Jodi Peasley (Administrative Volunteer of the Year); Mark Fuller (Rookie of the Year Award); RTTs Schooling Team--Patty Shaw, Bryony Urquhart, Sara Conant, Paulette Shepard and Margi Huber (Volunteer Schooling Team Award) and Dan Morabito (Barn Volunteer of the Year). In addition, Pat Niboli and Dan Morabito were recognized for their dedication to helping out through all sort of weather this past winter including snowstorms, ice storms and in sub-zero temperatures.

Also recognized for their corporate contributions to Riding To The Top in 2013 were: Hannaford Supermarkets, Southern Maine Motors and New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center.

Founded in 1993, Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center helps people with disabilities reach their highest potential through the healing power of horses. Equine assisted activities and therapies can improve participants’ cognitive, physical, social and behavioral skills. RTT is a PATH, Intl. Premier Accredited Center (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International). Located just west of Portland in Windham, Maine, RTT is the state’s only year round PATH, Intl. accredited program solely dedicated to therapeutic riding. Over 250 clients come to the center each year from over 40 communities to participate in lessons with certified instructors, trained volunteers and therapeutic horses. Riding To The Top is a community-based nonprofit, receives no federal or state funding and provides scholarships to over 60 percent of its clients. For more information about client services, volunteering, making a referral or a gift, please visit us at www.ridingtothetop.org or call 892-2813.