Man's Second Best Friend

This is just a short blog to remind all of us that the health of earth’s animal kingdom is a reflection of the health of humankind, and that cruelty to animals of any kind is unacceptable human behavior.

Be kind to an animal today and kindness will be bestowed upon you tenfold in return….

Write on,

Mittster

The Miracle Horses

HELPING CHANGE LIVES WITH HORSE THERAPY

Connections Equine Therapy Program (a not for profit corporation) in Cornville, Arizona, desperately needs financial aid to keep the program alive for challenged boys, girls, men and women. My wife and I have been volunteers at Connections for seven years and have seen firsthand the miracles that horse therapy provides to our human community.

If you could only see the light of hope shining from the eyes of adults who have not only never ridden a horse, but are so physically challenged that they never in their wildest dreams thought it possible in the first place!

If you could only see the light of hope shining from the eyes of children who, for the first time, groom a therapy horse from a wheelchair and find a lifelong friend!

If you could only see the light of hope shining from the eyes of young and old, dealing with addictions, learning how to handle and care for a therapy horse and, in the process, learning about themselves!

If you could only see the sadness and pain in the eyes of the dedicated founders, board members, and volunteers who have spent years watching these miracles and who now understand, without immediate financial help, this program will be lost to all of its clients!

The eyes are a window to the soul, and the soul of Connections Equine Therapy Program is crying. Please Google Connections Equine Therapy Program and see firsthand the goodness this program represents. In a world with so much negativity, especially right now, how can we watch such a wonderful and positive program that helps so many cease to exist?

Please help us help others who cannot help themselves. Our dream is to be able to say, "The program lives!"

Mitt Winstead
Camp Verde, Arizona

http://connectionsaz.com/
mittinc@commspeed.net

Animal Lovers' Delight

Once in a lifetime, if you are lucky, you may meet someone very special like Sandy Winstead. This lady will be a dear friend to any critter that passes by whether they need a home or not.

She also tirelessly donates her time and energy to the Connections Equine Therapy Program in Cornville, Arizona, helping challenged people of all ages learn more about themselves through the amazing healing love of horses.

I have seen the ecstatic smiles on the faces of clients as they ride for the first time in their lives while Sandy leads their horse around the arena and side walkers make sure they don't fall off.

It's not all fun with the horses and clients either. Sandy volunteers for horse care duty, which includes shoveling horse dukie, feeding, watering, brushing, hoof cleaning, fly spray and masks for all the horses. There is also the chickens who need feeding and the dogs who need their early morning treats.

Sandy is also on the board of directors in the capacity of secretary. She attends all the meetings and is the founder's personal assistant. You would think after many years as an office professional for The Dow Chemical Company in Michigan, she would have had enough dictating and such, but no, she does it out of love for the program, owner, volunteers, clients and all the wonderful animals at Connections, and her love of being a secretary.

I, for one, am amazed at her devotion and selfless dedication to volunteerism. Sure, I am sometimes a Connections Equine Therapy widower and, no doubt, prejudice. But, you have to know, I am also the proudest husband in the world!

Write on,

Mittster