My Nonprofit Reviews
Judy Wiesenauer
Review for OPENING GATES INC, Jeffersonvlle, IN, USA
As a volunteer who helps care for the therapy horses I have grown as a person. I was raised on a dairy/hog farm but didn't have horses. Getting involved in Hunters Brook Farm and Opening Gates has given me the opportunity to learn about horses and myself. Although all the horses have different personalities, they all require human assistance; they need food and shelter, grooming and medicine, pasture and stall maintenance. It's the personalities which amaze me. Bear, the largest horse, is probably the gentlest. Cletus and Lady are practically inseparable. Bucket and Sparky get nervous when one of them is out of sight, but can be comforted by other horses. Coke is the queen of the farm and is proud of it.
I am not a horse specialist or a counselor so I don't participate in the counseling but I have met a few of the clients who, upon completion of the counseling, volunteer with the farm chores. They were great supporters of the work done at Opening Gates. I have found that horses can cheer, irritate, and comfort me. I am cheered when Mikey "laughs" at me, irritated when Deuce swats me with his tail or refuses to be led, and comforted when Rascal can still run in the pasture even with steel rods in his leg.
Opening Gates accomplishes its goal of providing "equine assisted counseling and learning" everyday whether to clients or volunteers.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my life.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
expand it.
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Learned about horses and equine assisted counseling. Also learned to apply for grants
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Useful
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
Review for Horseshoe Foundation Of Floyd County Inc, New Albany, IN, USA
The presentation on grant writing was very helpful to me as a first time grant writing for Opening Gates. The webpage was also very easy to follow and useful. We received the total requested and enjoyed the awards ceremony. Thank you so very much.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I applied for a grant for Opening Gates and the organization received the grant in December 2010
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
None
