Some of our Volunteers

Caroline began volunteering for People Helping Horses in August of this year and she has been an incredible help!  Caroline has a great attitude and work ethic.  She is proactive and always finds a way to help out around the barn.   

Carolyn Sealey has had a love for horses since the age of 4. She began riding at 12 and became owner of her first horse, Tela, in 1990. Tela was green when she first got her and Carolyn took great pleasure in training her.

She rescued Tara, a sweet Arab mare and beloved companion of Tela, 6 years ago. At PHH, you will often find Carolyn working as official "PHH Photographer", as well as grooming, riding, and helping with general administrative tasks. She most enjoys the immediate relaxation one feels at the barn working with the rescues.

Volunteer of the month of September 2008 Cindy Buckingham graciously gives of her time every week to help PHH as we work towards a better world for all equines.

We thought it only fitting to take a few moments to share with all of you a few fun facts about Cindy.

Here’s five at the top of the list:

Fun Fact #1: Cindy was seven when she received her first horse. He was a sorrel gelding named Gunsul and thanks to his fun yet challenging personality, she learned a lot from him!

Fun Fact #2: Cindy loves jumping, an activity she was introduced to when, at the age of 12, she had the opportunity to join her cousin in Virginia where she excelled at showing Hunter and Jumper.

Fun Fact #3: Some of the first horses Cindy worked with at PHH included Red and Whitey, two charming geldings who have really come into their own after suffering from malnutrition and abuse. She’s currently spending time with Sadee, perfecting ground manners.

Fun Fact #4: Cindy spent nine years working as a software engineer before recently starting her own leatherwork business. She graciously donated some amazing pieces to the Dancin’ in the Dirt Auction and Dance.

Fun Fact #5: Cindy began volunteering at PHH because she needed to take action against the cruelty and neglect of horses. She feels that any amount of time a volunteer spends with one of the rescue horses goes a long way towards improving their lives and futures. We couldn’t agree more!

Darelene XXX offers the healing power of Reiki to the PHH rescue horses, but she claims working with them opens her heart to the fullness of life. Here, in her own words, is a bit about the importance of horses in her life:

My horse as a child was a saw horse--probably named Trigger like Roy Rogers. I remember riding through the desert on that horse, dying of thirst, finding water, putting water into my cowgirl hat to give to my "horse," only to discover that my little hat did not hold water. I absolutely loved horses and asked Santa to bring me one everyone Christmas.

My dad said he would buy a horse if it didn't cost much. I scoured the papers and found one for $100. I told my dad and he had me read the ad. It said something about stud (services) for $100. He coughed, turned beet red, and told me to go ask my mom what it meant. That was the end of buying a horse!

As an adult, I took a few western, english, and jumping lessons but I realized with my first tour at PHH that it had been over 30 years since I had been around horses.

I volunteer doing Reiki. It is a very healing energy which all of us can use. I think it makes a big difference, especially with the rescues, and it is interesting to see how they respond. I like the smell of hay and horses in the stables and being around horses again. The people I've met are nice and I think PHH has high integrity. I just like to help.

I think life is fuller when I volunteer and I love to learn knew things. Helping any living creature, human or animal, opens our hearts and allows spirit to flow through us.

In Holly's own words:

"The first horse I remember was a buckskin named Tequila. Tequila lived in a pasture on the other side of “The Field," an old walnut orchard next to our house. As a child, I ate and slept in the house but mostly lived in “The Field” and was always playing horses.

I took a horsemanship class from Camp Fire Girls so that I could take care of horses for owners on vacation while I was in Junior High. I took out trail rides for a Girl Scout camp and a day camp in the summers when I was in college. Now that I’ve completed my soccer, baseball, basketball, band, PTA, choir Mom duties, it seemed to be about time to cowboy up. Got the truck. Got the dog. PHH has the horses, so there you go!

I enjoy landscaping and working on drainage challenges to help keep the critters, two and four legged, clean and comfortable so that’s what I have focused on so far.

The PHH horses don’t seem to mind being showered with attention, unlike some snooty horses one might find elsewhere. The people are fairly friendly, too.

I think we seek balance in life. There is a time to play and a time to be a grown-up. Dealing practically and compassionately with unwanted or abused animals is one of those grown-up things where you celebrate the happy endings and dread the sad ones.

I feel good about supporting people willing to step up and do the hard work of planning and carrying out the rehab for each animal. At the same time I get to enjoy the critters, the outdoors, and watch the great clinics and demos.

Growing up on a small ranch in east Texas, Volunteer Coordinator Laura Laney developed a love of animals from an early age. Her time spent at Texas A&M, where she received a degree in Agribusiness, honed her skills at the business side of country life. But four years in the city left her lonesome for the wide open spaces of her youth.

Determined to re-immerse herself in the pastoral, Laura signed up for riding lessons at a nearby barn. Before long she was working there, which she continued to do until her move to Washington.

Once firmly planted in the Pacific Northwest, a quick search on the internet led Laura to People Helping Horses, and in the summer of 2008 she took on the position of Volunteer Coordinator.

Laura has a passion for taking care of abandoned animals—current count finding three cats and two rescued dogs in her home—and she’s thrilled to have the opportunity to put her passion to good use.

Lilia Hargreaves appreciates all that city life has to offer, including a stellar soccer league, tap dance classes, and yoga. But she really lives for the weekends when she escapes to Arlington and the lovely company of her many equine friends. Her favorite horse by far is Mystic, though you’ll find that each one of her Breyer model horses bears the name of one of the rescue horses she’s had the immense pleasure to groom, lead, and love. She’s very grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a special endeavor and would like to thank all of those associated with People Helping Horses for their patience, knowledge, and kindness.

A freelance editor and writer, Stefanie Hargreaves has always loved horses, though it’s been years since she owned one of her own. When her daughter suggested that they volunteer with rescued horses, Stefanie happily looked into local opportunities. The pair eventually found there way to People Helping Horses and they couldn’t be happier.

As for favorites? Well, if pressed, Stefanie would say Tia. Or maybe Raven. No, wait, make that Howdy. Or perhaps Lily? Let’s just say it’s a good thing she lives in Seattle where the neighbors frown on grazing horses in the backyard.

"I've always liked trying new things!" It's that positive attitude that finds Maghan Powers the PHH volunteer of the month for October 2008.

A horse crazy kid, Maghan has always had horses in her life and she can't imagine it any other way.

Here are five fun facts about this exceptional woman:

Fun Fact #1: Maghan's first horse was a Pinto pony named "No Name." He wasn't very good about being caught, so a rope was always attached to his halter.

Fun Fact #2: Maghan purchased her first show horse when she was 12. He was an Appaloosa gelding named Sergio.

Fun Fact #3: Throughout her youth, Maghan trained and showed in the ApHC. Showmanship and western riding and trail are her favorites, though she has also tried jumping, dressage, and reigning.

Fun Fact #4: Maghan takes pride in offering her skills and compassion to the PHH rescue horses. She feels honored to be involved with an organization where the horses's health and welfare is put above all else.

Fun Fact #5: Maghan feels it's vitally important to volunteer. In her opinion, it's the volunteers that provide the backbone of the organization and give the rescues the love and attention they so richly deserve.

Matt Sealey has been raised around horses all his life. He attains many of his community service hours for school by volunteering with People Helping Horses. Matt helps by grooming and working the shows, but he most enjoys being able to come up and ride.

Meghan has been riding and training horses for over 15 years; in that time she has acquired a large amount of experience and knowledge.

She trains and instructs in several disciplines, including; English and Western Pleasure, Dressage, Jumping and Colt Starting. Her discipline of choice is 3-day eventing; She has competed professionally in this event for several years. Meghan's training style is patient, but austere. She instills in the horse a respect for personal space, while at the same time developing mutual respect between horse and rider.

Meghan enjoys giving lessons, especially to children; She works extensively with 4-H, Zone, and Pony Club Riders. There is always room in her program for the backyard rider who wants to improve either their riding or horse-management skills, in order to improve their relationship with their horse.

Noelle has had a lifelong love of horses fostered by her mother and grandfather who have always loved horses. Her first horse was a two-year-old Arabian mare named Rusty that she got for free out of the Little Nickel.  Rusty is now 25 years old and still a member of the family. 

She first got involved with PHH while her daughters were taking lessons with Meghan Valenti.  She think it's so important to give these horses the love and attention they're missing.  It's good for her and them.

Sharon grew up with horses all her life.  when she was three-years-old, a neighbor knocked on the door to ask if Sharon was supposed to be riding the horses.  She had climbed up on the feeder in the barn and climbed onto the horse (no saddle, halter or anything), rode one around, then switched to the next horse.  When she was five years she received her first horse, a Shetland Pony named Princess. 

Working with the rescues has been a growing experience for her, dealing with the individual temperments and personalities, teaching her patience and how to be firm when necessary.