It started with a search to combine my medical profession with my equine life. Then I found Giant Steps. I started volunteering with both children’s and adult classes. The level of love and acceptance I felt amongst the staff, horses, and clients was amazing, leading me to do more and more to help this wonderfully giving organization.
My daughter, Suzie, has been a client at Giant Steps for over 10 years and has greatly benefitted from the relationship with the horses and the remarkable staff. Giant Steps is so much a part of our life that I was invited to be on the board of directors, which I happily accepted. Suzie has Down Syndrome. In January 2018 she was also diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. She has declined significantly, but we still go horseback riding! The expert staff have accommodated her needs, her new fears and her insecurities allowing her to ride Corky, a wonderful horse. Riding Corky is one of the few things that make her happy at this point, and she could not do it without the flexibility, patience and care of the Giant Steps staff. Thank you all. Debra
Several years ago as my family volunteered over our Christmas Holiday to clean up the Giant Steps sensory trail, we were introduced to the program in a personal way. While weeding & resurfacing, we had an arena side vantage point and could instantly see & hear the impact the staff, volunteers and horses were having as the riders moved around the arena. The compassion, delight & deliberate effort was coordinated in an impressive yet uncomplicated way.
I immediately became a silent donor, and knew I wanted to learn more about the programs offered at this center. Years later when my company sponsored a program to expand board leadership, I asked to have Giant Steps on my short list of potential organizations. It only took a few discussions with the Executive Director & then Board Chair to realize this was the organization I wanted to serve. I joined both as a board member & volunteer at a pivotal time when our Mission, Strategy, Policies and Programming were evolving & becoming more clear.
Smart, responsible expansion has been our focus as we seek to serve more members of our community with high quality standards for equine assisted therapeutic riding, ground work, volunteerism & philanthropy. I couldn't be more proud of this organization, both in what we do and how we do it together. Even through COVID, all the people and horses come together each week to expand our life experiences and improve the skills of one another. I hope you'll learn more about us on the website & come to the Sonoma Horse Park to visit Giant Steps soon.
Giant Steps' program works wonders for so many of its clients. It helped one of my children immensely; so much so that I decided to become a donor and, later, a board member to support them in being able to touch more people. They have continued to innovate and evolve to be able to make a difference even during Covid.
What I enjoy most about working with Giant Steps is that we see real results every day and are able to improve the lives of so many people. The caliber of the staff and the volunteers is extraordinary. It amazes me that we are able to serve such a diverse range of people, from all ages, backgrounds and levels of ability. There is a real draw and a very special energy watching our riders in the arena, and witnessing the commitment and dedication of all involved has touched me greatly.
The Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center is dedicated to helping heal emotionally and physically disabled children and adults through caring for and riding horses. I have known about this fabulous group of dedicated staff and volunteers, and about the magic they perform since 2004. I have seen them greatly enrich many lives. The quality therapy they provide allows each rider, as well as his/her family, to live a richer, fuller life than they ever imagined. I proudly support Giant Steps Equestrian Therapeutic Center.