Our Featured Volunteer of the Month is Lisa Arblaster
This week has been difficult for the province of Nova Scotia and sadness seems to surround us. In these times, we know all too well how important it is to show gratitude for all that we have in our lives and all that we cherish. We honour the many people who make Lancers the wonderful community it is and this month, our featured volunteer is Lisa Arblaster.
Lisa started at Lancers as a volunteer in our therapeutic riding program in the spring of 2018. The session was cut short due to our strangles closure that summer but Lisa was already hooked and joined back up with the program when the barn reopened. She has now been a dedicated volunteer for two years, citing the supportive community as what drew her to Lancers. She explains, “I love volunteering at Lancers because it’s such a wonderful community. Everyone involved with the program (and everything else at the barn) is incredibly supportive and welcoming. It is genuinely heartwarming to be involved with a barn that’s so inclusive and being able to see the amazing dynamic between horses and their riders within the therapeutic riding program.”
In addition to volunteering, Lisa is also a rider, having ridden regularly while growing up in Ontario. After moving to Halifax a few years ago, she joined our waitlist and was able to enroll in our Adult Member program this past fall. She also volunteers on our Therapeutic Riding Committee and attends many of the other events at the barn. This year, she was the recipient of the Sallie Murphy Award which is granted to an outstanding Therapeutic Riding volunteer.
Lisa has a few favourite Lancer horses. Ben and Bud come to mind because she regularly interacts with them during the therapeutic riding sessions and Giquau is her favourite for her weekly lessons.
Lisa has always loved being around horses and is grateful for the chance to get to spend time at Lancers. She has already created many memories in her time with us both as a rider and volunteer. She tells us, “I have a lot of great memories being involved with a program that brings riding lessons to individuals who may otherwise not be able to ride, especially the lessons with the younger kids who are so excited! On a personal note, getting back on a horse again after a few years of not riding is definitely a favourite memory.” She also feels Lancers is a great boost for both physical and mental health and is excited that we have brought many new people into her life: “I’ve met so many wonderful people and made incredible friendships through the program and my own lessons.”
We are so grateful to Lisa for the help she brings to Lancers. She brings a genuine spirit of giving to all the work that she does. Lisa has incredible organizational skills which are being put to great use in helping to coordinate all of our 50+ therapeutic riding volunteers. We thank her for choosing to be a part of our community and look forward to her many years of dedication.
While Lisa is sad to be away from the barn and missing the horses during this time she knows it is best for everyone. She is taking time to catch up on reading, particularly horse-related books, and is even trying to teach her cat some tricks! She looks forward to returning to the barn to volunteer and ride once social distancing restrictions have been lifted.
