Lisa and Chip

Congratulations to our first Volunteer of the Month for 2015…Lisa Garr!! Lisa began volunteering in February of last year, starting with a weekly chore shift and then promptly added a second shift. It wasn’t too long before Terry saw what an asset Lisa could be for the SAFE team. Lisa soon became a Barn Assistant for Terry to help with all sorts of projects around the barn, including grooming horses, handling horses, and training. Lisa also is a volunteer rider and has been working with Phoenix during his rehabilitation. As if that wasn’t enough, Lisa is a skilled photographer and donates her time and talent to SAFE. Volunteers like Lisa are what every organization dream of having. We are so grateful that she is part of SAFE!

Here is more about Lisa in her own words…

I am a photographer, artist, and lifelong horse fanatic; one of my earliest memories involves wishing for a horse for my birthday… every birthday… and Christmas… and when I saw a shooting star… and at 11:11… and any other time I could wish for something! I finally learned to ride when I was eight, from a neighbor who would throw me up on one of her horses bareback and with a halter & lead while she tossed hay, leaving me only with the admonishment that if I fell off, I had to get straight back on, no matter what! Well, that was all she wrote; I was hooked, and while I certainly fell off, I never hesitated to get back on.

That was the first of many valuable lessons I have learned from working with these amazing creatures, and am so grateful that, via SAFE, I have had the opportunity to not only return to working with horses (after an 8‑year hiatus), but to do my best to give something back to the great collective equine spirit. Having horses in my life has been a constant source of joy, and I want nothing more than to return that love and energy in any way that I can.

I began researching equine rescue organizations to volunteer with mid-January 2014, and the moment I read SAFE’s mission statement and a few of the intake stories, I knew this was the place for me. I think what truly sold me, and why I am so proud to be involved with this organization, is that SAFE focuses on the rehabilitation of the whole horse- body, mind, and spirit- and makes a lifetime commitment to the horses rescued. It’s not just about shuffling them to a new home and a new human, it’s about finding the right home and the right human, and always putting the quality of life for the horses first, both at SAFE and in adoption. I officially began volunteering in February of last year and now I wish I could be at the barn every day with these amazing people and ponies!

Like most volunteers here, I don’t think I could name a favorite SAFE horse; from Finn’s cuddle-bug loves and Lola’s sassy-but-sweet no-nonsense ‘tude, to Phoenix’s goofball playfulness and Cameo’s beautiful, soulful eyes, I love them all.

If you are looking for the perfect photographer to capture a portrait of you with your horse, take a look at Lisa’s work! She has photographed several SAFE alumni (adopted SAFE horses) with their new owners, and the results are stunning. And Lisa will donate a portion of her fees on portrait sessions that come to her via SAFE! Visit www.garrphotography.com to learn more!

Moonshine and Kirann

Louie and Lara