Congratulations to our March Volunteer of the Month, Whitney-Bear Bradsher! For the past two years, Whitney-Bear has dedicated her time, hard work, and compassion to SAFE, making a meaningful impact on our community. She is a vital member of our Saturday PM crew, consistently lending a hand at events like our open house, tack sales, and our signature fundraiser, Heart of the Horse. Always willing to step up, she fills in on short shifts—especially during tough weather—and is a valued member of our grooming team, sharing her time and care with Veronica each week. In addition, she has helped with night checks, ensuring our horses are tucked in safely. Whitney-Bear’s kindness, dedication, and passion for the well-being of our herd make her an absolute joy to have around. We are so grateful for all that she does—thank you, Whitney-Bear! Learn more about Whitney-Bear below.
How and when did you first get involved with horses? Do you have one now you want to tell us about?
My family always had horses on a small cattle ranch. We also boarded horses for neighbors and other friends. From childhood through college, I had several beloved horses.
I don’t have my own horse, now; but, want to tell you about the 1st horse I fell in love with. I was 7.5 when my father brought her home. Calico was a beautiful dark, dun pony, with cream colored mane and tail. She was sweet and gentle; and, I loved kissing her muzzle and stroking her face and neck.
I loved grooming and riding Calico; and, raced home daily from the bus stop, to spend more time with her.
Calico was very patient when I groomed her, even in autumn when it took hours to remove all the cockleburs that matted her mane and tail. It was an awful daily chore for my terribly sore fingers. Regardless, I persevered until the bushhog took the plants out.
I learned to ride Calico bareback; and, discovered pure freedom, as she galloped across our fields and pastures. For almost 2 years Calico was the center of my world. Then tragically, one summer night she was killed by lightning. I was heartbroken and inconsolable for a very long time.
I was around our other horses daily; and over time, became interested in in learning to work cattle. I got a wonderful cutting horse. He taught me almost everything I learned about isolating and “cutting” a cow from the herd.
What do you like most about volunteering with SAFE?
I love that SAFE works comprehensively, to provide the best possible care for every horse that comes to SAFE.
I love the opportunity to help the horses along their journeys of physical and emotional recovery. A horse’s sense of safety with humans, depends on our emotional state as well as physical actions when in their presence. When I clean their paddocks and shelters, I focus my energy on compassion and maintaining a steady, relaxed pace with chores.
I love the wonderful people on my Sat pm shift. There’s always laughter and joking around. Our team really is a family, and we depend on each other. Everyone works hard. When we’re short-staffed, we work harder and laugh harder, as we try to complete the list.
What do you do when you are not horsing around with us?
I’m a full-time administrative assistant and run the front desk at PSM LLC in Woodinville. We manufacture construction equipment attachments, E g. buckets, thumbs, couplers, grapples, rakes, forks and more.
In my personal time, I’m working on a fictional manuscript, which has to be completed and hopefully suitable for publication in 6 Mos.
Do you have family or special people in your life who support your volunteer work that you would want us to mention in your write up?
My husband, Eric Brunson is very supportive of my volunteer work at SAFE. He ‘gets’ how much I love spending my time at SAFE. He understands, when I sign up on short notice, to support other pm shifts when they’re short-staffed.
