ACCESS ADVENTURE VOLUNTEER

I was born and raised in Massachusetts and was introduced to Southern California during my three years in the United States Marine Corps. I lived in Southern California for twenty-five years. While there I was with the Big Brother program with my church. I have lived in Vallejo for the last eleven years.

I have always loved horses. When I was a child I told my parents that one day I would own a horse that looked like Fury. I even rescued a horse from an abusive trainer, just to make sure he would be safe. Even though I knew nothing about horses I read and through the help of a neighbor who owned horses molded the green broke two year old to a beautiful animal. Due to job and responsibilities, I sold him to a friend who took care of him.

Later life started slowing down and I found I had some spare time and got into volunteer work with an Equestrian Therapy group in Simi Valley. My interest in horses caught me again and I purchased two horses, an American Saddlebred and a half quarter horse/Peruvian mare which I trained and showed for ten years. Responsibilities came my way again and my wife and I moved to Vallejo. I became a volunteer at ARF, which is an organization that rescues dogs and cats that are trained and cared for to make them adoptable.

I did a Google search for Friesian to show my grandchildren what the breed looks like. This is the name of the street they live on in Las Vegas. Up came Apollo, a beautiful Friesian stallion, along with information on Access Adventure. Reading the article motivated me to join in 2010 and I am now in training for all aspects of volunteer work with the program. Working with the horses and the people is a big reward. I have always been very fond of animals and helping people and animals. One tends to forget how beautiful the earth is and that some of the things in life we just take for granted. Watching a smile on a child's face when I show him how to brush a horse is so rewarding to me. This also reminds me how fortunate I am with my life. I firmly believe that for every bit of help I give, I receive double back.

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