A Very Special Farm

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Hi everyone!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while! I've had so much going on lately. First, I took a road trip across the country for two weeks. Then there was Hurricane Irma and of course my flight kept getting cancelled so I was stuck in Maryland MUCH longer than expected. Then when I finally made it back to Florida, my mom came to visit and stayed for a week and most recently, I started a new job. So, I've got tons to catch you guys up on!

In the meantime, I have something short and sweet to share!


Yesterday, for "Change the Planet Week," my entire office and I went to volunteer at Quantum Leap Farm, Inc. in Odessa, FL. It's a beautiful 20-acre location with 14 horses, donkeys, goats, chickens, cats, and a dog.


They offer therapy to children, adults, and veterans from ages 2-92, who have mental, physical, or behavioral disabilities at no additional cost to the patients.

As most of you know, community service and volunteer work, especially with children, has always been a huge part of my life so working for an employer who actually closed the office so that everyone could participate was amazing.


When we got there, our first task was to groom the horses— Now, I'm not an outdoorsy or animal person, so naturally, I was petrified. I just knew one of those big ole horses was gonna kick or poop on me.

Eventually, I got close enough to brush them. I even helped to clean of one of those gigantic Budweiser/police Clydesdales and lead another one back to the barn all by myself. It was pretty cool.



After that, I actually got to assist one of the occupational therapists with a session. The little girl was the cutest thing. She's 5-years-old and has Rett Syndrome. It's a rare genetic mutation affecting the brain development in girls.


She laughed and played games all while riding the horse around the arena. Her favorite thing to do was point out the poop piles. LOL. I attempted to sing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" to her and forgot the words. Smooth, Amanee. She was so precious.


It was a really wonderful place and their mission and purpose is even more amazing. I'm definitely planning on going back to volunteer and I'm taking all of my friends with me.

-A.

P.S. Be on the look out for posts about my road trip and my week in California! I've been working on them and they're SUPER long so heads up. But there are lots of beautiful pictures. Hopefully I can get those done within the next few days or so!

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