We are excited to start 2024 with our first couple Volunteers of the Month! Jennifer and Guy Klingler are regular Tuesday afternoon lesson volunteers, with Jennifer leading and Guy a sidewalker who, in between lessons, makes sure the arenas are clean. Volunteer services manager Michele Gingras remarks, “Jennifer and Guy are such an asset to The Shea Center. Every Tuesday, they arrive with contagious smiles, and those smiles last all afternoon (even while Guy is scooping poop!) They are pleasant to be around and consistently offer additional volunteer time.” Their daughter, Heidi, was the first in the family to volunteer at Shea when she was in high school.
Why we love them: Guy’s ability to develop a meaningful rapport with clients and Jennifer’s aptitude for learning to lead a variety of horses make them an integral part of the Tuesday afternoon team.
Road to The Shea Center: Jennifer and Heidi rode at the barn next door to Shea and knew about the Center’s mission. Once their children were off at college, Jennifer signed up as a volunteer. Guy followed and became a volunteer last summer. “My wife’s shared experiences were really my invitation.”
Years of Service: Jennifer has been a volunteer since October 2022. Guy will celebrate his first anniversary in August.
Lessons learned: Guy: “The incredible diversity of equine-assisted therapies that are practiced. The compassion and incredible professionalism of the therapists and staff, who often openly share the purpose of the different services offered.” Jennifer: “The organization of the barn, the therapists, the horse care, and the barn crew are all amazing. I’m still learning The Shea Way and take my job and responsibilities very seriously. I feel blessed to be working alongside the therapists and with the riders. I can’t wait for my next training.”
Favorite Shea Center memories: Guy: “Sidewalking with Gigi. The excitement, which often started in the parking lot, was a contagious experience for all. More deeply, it was an opportunity to appreciate and acknowledge the more discreet emotions and experiences of such a wide diversity of clients.” Jennifer: “Growing closer to my riders I lead every week. The laughter and joy I hear and see while leading is so inspiring. It was also very cool to witness the horse rescue and see the Shea team go to work during an emergency situation.” The rescued horse, Sobe, was boarded at a nearby barn.
When not at The Shea Center, they can be found doing this: Guy: “Working on a Colorado home project, following our three college-student kids in their adventures, spending time with family, entertaining friends, and making a surfing comeback!”. Jennifer: “When not volunteering, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking family dinners, playing golf, swimming, and doing yoga.”
