Benefits of Volunteering
What We Ask of Volunteers
Interested in Volunteering?
At ROARR, we rely on the generous help of our volunteers to make our programs and events a success, and provide a memorable experience to our participants!
We have lots of opportunities for Volunteers, including helping with our Senior Lunches either handling horses or serving and setup.
Horse care volunteers require an orientation prior to volunteering, contact Marilyn for details.
VOLUNTEERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Recognizing Evan: Volunteer of the Month
At ROARR, we’re fortunate to have dedicated volunteers like Evan, whose passion for horses and commitment to our community shine through in everything he does. Evan joined us in November, eager to learn more about horse care and to step outside his comfort zone for new adventures and friendships.
Evan’s willingness to learn and his kind, hardworking nature make him a valuable member of our team. He travels from Okotoks to volunteer with us, showing his dedication and generosity. Whether he’s helping with the horses, playing piano at senior lunches, or taking on any task that needs to be done, Evan always does so with a smile.
Interests: Volunteering, Polocross at Okotoks Polocrossclub, working on cars, and hard work.
Why He Started Volunteering at ROARR: To learn more about his future career in horse care, step outside his comfort zone, and experience new adventures and friendships.
Favorite Aspects of Volunteering:
- Enjoys the breath of fresh air that the horses and community bring.
- Feels that volunteering at ROARR has taken volunteering and friendship to a new level.
- Finds fulfillment in his passion for horses.
- Grateful to Marilyn for showing him the ropes and considers ROARR a place full of loving people that has positively impacted his life.
Evan’s dedication and positive attitude make him a valuable member of the ROARR community. We’re incredibly grateful to have Evan as part of the ROARR family and are thrilled to recognize him as our Volunteer of the Month. Thank you, Evan, for your hard work, generosity, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
2023 Spring Practicum Students
Kudos goes out to Hayllie, Amy and Ann for their great work as Parcticum Students volunteering and making a difference.
Volunteer Spotlight: Petrina
Petrina and her twin 12 year old girls, Caylin and Kiera, love helping animals. They have all been volunteering at ROARR since 2022 and really enjoy their time out at the ranch. Both girls attend horse camps in the summer and ROARR has provided them the opportunity to use some of the skills they have learned (grooming etc).
Volunteer Spotlight: Gabriel
Gabriel has been volunteering with ROARR before he was even born! Pictured here with his long time and loyal volunteer mother, Jessica. Happy 1st birthday Gabriel, we’re looking forward to many more years of having you help with all the horses!
Volunteer Spotlight: Diane
Where are you from?
I am originally from Edmonton AB.
What do you do?
I am retired from the airline industry.
What do you do when you aren’t working or volunteering?
My days are filled with taking care of myself through meditation, my pup Zeppy with nature walks and training and cooking nutritious meals.
Why did you volunteer at ROARR?
I was wondering how I could give back to the community with something I enjoyed doing and was brought back to my childhood. As a young girl I loved horses but was unable to own one and learn about them other than in books. A friend recommended volunteering at ROARR and as luck would have it when I applied there was an opportunity on Thursdays for me.
What would someone be surprised to know about you?
I believe that people would be surprised to know that I am a Western French Canadian and that I participate in dance performances.
Is there someone who inspires you?
The owner of the dance company I belong to inspires me with her confidence and poise and how she reaches every dancer no matter what level they are at.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best advice I have received is this: let go of blaming others for your circumstances. If there is something about your life that you do not like then change it and create the life that you want.
What are you most looking forward to in the next five years?
I desire the next 5 years to bring me a small acreage to live on, more knowledge and experience with horses, to continue to give back to the community in whatever form that takes for me, and remain happy, healthy and free!!
Volunteer Spotlight: Robin
Where are you from?
I am a born and raised Calgarian.
What do you do?
I am Grade 8 student in Tuscany at Twelve Mile Coulee school and I am an aspiring barrel racer.
What do you do when you aren’t working or volunteering?
My hobbies are barrel racing, trail riding, playing with my two Golden Retrievers, Nala and Kara, mountain biking with my family, fly fishing with my Dad, and hanging out with friends.
Why did you volunteer at ROARR?
I chose to start volunteering at ROARR because I love horses and I think it is so important to have a positive impact on your community and volunteering is a great way to do that. We found out about ROARR from a neighbor and I really love the idea of the equine therapy work ROARR does. I hope that I can support young riders in the future with equine therapy.
What would someone be surprised to know about you?
People are surprised to hear that I love to go winter camping, mountain biking, and fly fishing.
Is there someone who inspires you?
Some people that inspire me are my current barrel racing coach, Elaina Black, my old coach, Jade and Fallon Taylor. I appreciate hearing about their successful moments in life and with their horses, but I also like hearing about their failures and how they overcome them to become better.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best piece of advice I have received was – take it slow, breathe and you will achieve great things. This was said by my old horse-riding coach, she was a positive role model as I began to develop as a rider.
What are you most looking forward to in the next five years?
What I am most excited about in the next 5 years is, competing more with my horse, getting out to go fishing more, and spending time with my good friends, living the best life I can.
Volunteer Spotlight: Don Grant
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Edmonton but Calgary feels like home.
What do you do?
I am a retired firefighter and currently, I am a contract trainer for health and safety.
What do you do when you aren’t working or volunteering?
White water kayaking, mountain climbing, snowshoeing, bike riding and adventure motorcycle.
Why did you volunteer at ROARR?
I worked with youth in Edmonton and was missing it so I was looking for a place to volunteer and found ROARR. I discovered that I love working with seniors and horses as well. What keeps me volunteering are the people we get to spend time with. It’s also just a great place to be. Sometimes when I get stressed out, I just go and feed the horses and brush them and it breathes life into me.
What would someone be surprised to know about you?
I don’t like watching TV, not even sports.
Is there someone who inspires you?
Anyone who sets goals and moves towards achieving them.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Be true to yourself!
What are you most looking forward to in the next five years?
Spending more time with Shelagh and spending time on the ranch.