Congratulations to Noél Csermak, our volunteer of the month. Volunteer Services Manager Michele Gringras says, “Noél is an easygoing volunteer who is happy to fill in wherever needed. She always brings with her a smile and a feeling of joy when she is at Shea and helping our clients; we appreciate having her on our volunteer team!”
Why we love her:
Noél is flexible and easy-going, picking up substitute spots where needed in addition to her regular shifts. She consistently attends continuing education classes here and helps out for special events, summer camp, and blanketing and tack room duties during sessions and session breaks.
Road to The Shea Center: “I learned about The Shea Center from meeting with a former volunteer at a dog park. We both have Australian Shepherds and were able to create a connection over dogs and horses. It took a few years until I was relieved of carpool duties and could dedicate some time to The Shea Center, but my time has come!”
Years of service:
Noél began volunteering in October 2022. “I was eager to take advantage of as many instructional opportunities as possible. It took some practice, but with guidance, I have become a confident leader, and I’m comfortable with a wide selection of Shea horses.”
Lessons learned: “I appreciate the individualized attention that each client gets from their therapists and instructors. And I love having exposure to different therapies and lessons, be they physical therapy, speech therapy, social learning, and more!”
Favorite Shea Center memories: “I feel so welcome and appreciated every time I set foot on the property. Shea staff, volunteers, and clients are some of the most welcoming and supportive people I have met. The majority of my favorite memories are when I have had a chance to spend a moment connecting with someone, whether we are stuffing hayballs, singing happy songs with our clients, or scurrying about to ensure we have everything cleaned up before shutting things down for the night.”
When not volunteering at Shea, she can be found doing this: “I can be found on the trails around the area taking my dog Smudge for a walk, joining friends for a bite to eat, reading or working on personal creative projects.”
She finds her bliss…: “When I can spend time with my family when they return for a visit or when I get a chance to visit them in Canada or on the East Coast.”
