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"As a new volunteer at Unbridled Spirit I’m amazed at the transformative healing I’ve witnessed with the children who have gone through the program. There is something magical about the horses and how they seem to know how to connect with kids in a way that makes them feel safe and understood. One girl in particular stands out to me who I met on my first day volunteering. I sat next to her during the introduction and she clearly didn’t want to be there. She had a stuffed animal that she clung to and wouldn’t talk or engage with anyone or even tell her name. When it came time to match the kids with horses one horse Prince seemed to pick her specifically, following her while ignoring the other kids who came up to him. Sonja and her team noticed this and decided to pair the girl with Prince. Prince seemed to understand this girl and was especially calm and attentive, seemingly protective. At the end of the 2nd session I saw the girl beaming and as she passed me she exclaimed how Prince had nuzzled her and in her words “Prince gave me a big hug!”. Since then this girl has come out of her shell and is the most excited kid our of the group every week she’s there, laughing and engaging, even helping other kids meet different animals on the farm. It’s truly inspiring to see such drastic change in such a short time and I can’t see how this could’ve happened without a place like Unbridles Spirit."
Greg - Volunteer Program Mentor and Animal/Farm Support
Every time we visit Unbridled Spirit we leave in a better mood. Something that we may not have even realized was bothering us, surfaced and we were able to work it out as a family. The horses have a real way of ratting you out! This is a blessing as it really helps you discover things that are going on and how you can move forward. They have a way of knowing just what you need. It has been such a blessing for my family.
Sherri M
Working at the farm has taught me how to find little miracles, how to trust people and animals to know what needs to happen, that the best lessons can be unexpected, and that things don't need to be perfect to be wonderful.
Volunteer
“This farm is a safe haven for people of other lands.”
(referring to the people working and volunteering here at Windy Acres Farm of African, Native American , Hispanic, Indian, Chinese, Lebanese and herself, Puerto Rican, ancestry/blood)
Rae Rodriguez
I was more than a case or statistic, more than a suicidal teen. Sonja and the horses saw me for me.
Michelle