Nicole and Annie at the 2015 SAFE Benefit Show (photo by Jessica Farren)

People contribute to SAFE in lots of different ways. Some help at the barn, others work on fundraising or special events, others by donating, and some special individuals volunteer as members of SAFE’s Operations Council. Nicole is one of those and her position is not an easy one. Nicole is SAFE’s Intake Coordinator. She’s the first point of contact when people reach out to SAFE about a horse in need. She is the one that listens to each heartbreaking situation and helps them figure out what course of action to take. Intake can be an incredibly tough and emotional job, but Nicole handles it with grace and ease. She has a deep understanding of what it means to be a SAFE horse is because she adopted one herself. Nicole met and fell in love with Annie at first sight. That kind of devotion to rescue horse shines through in everything she does. Nicole sometimes refers to herself as a ghost volunteer because most of what she does is behind the scenes. We like to think of her as an invisible guardian, guiding both owners and horses to a better way. Thank you Nicole for your big heart and hard work!

Here is more about Nicole in her own words…

I grew up in Ocean Shores guiding horses on the trail and beaches. I got out of horses for a few years until I adopted Annie from SAFE a few years ago. Now I have Annie and a Tennessee Walker named Harley. I do a sport called Competitive Mounted Orienteering. My team this last year was #1 in the nation. I’m working full time and pursuing a degree in Supply Chain Management.

I’ve been volunteering for almost a year, but I’ve been following SAFE since Annie was rescued from her neglectful owner back in 2008. I had followed updates on Annie until 2011 when I was able to make the offer to adopt her. I became friends with Jeannette after the adoption and even rented a MIL apartment from her for a while. Last year Jeannette asked me if I wanted to apply to be a volunteer in the outreach coordinator position. Of course I said yes! I’ve looked up to the members of SAFE for so many years and I was honored to be asked to volunteer.

My all time favorite SAFE horse is Annie. I’ve followed her from the very beginning. When I went out to see her while she was with Melonie Rainey at White Birch Farm, she threw a temper tantrum when I went to pet another horse. That’s when I knew for certain that she was claiming me! My favorite current SAFE horse is Anakin. He’s a fighter and has a tremendous will to survive. I’m so glad that he landed safe at SAFE. Plus, he’s a chestnut, and I apparently have a thing for the chestnuts.

I’m just amazed at the collection of talents that go into running an organization like SAFE. There is so much thought that goes into a horse rescue that is there not only to help horses, but to be sustainable in order to help horses for many years to come. I feel honored to be asked to volunteer with SAFE alongside the people who have done so much good for the horses for so many years.

Congratulations Nicole, and for all that you do, we thank you!!