A little gift grows into something much greater!

Have you ever experienced an overwhelming sense of awe that stops you in your tracks? Have you seen a vast mountain range stretching as far as the eye can see, a colorful sunset sky over a grocery store parking lot, or a delicate flower pushing through the cracks in the sidewalk? Think about that experience for a moment. Where were you? What did it feel like to pause and just take it all in? For me, this happens most often in nature. I've found that in the busyness of the world today there are precious few places where you can go and just be, where your worth isn't defined by your productivity and you are loved & accepted just as you are. Lone Oak has been one of those places for me. Every day that I'm at the barn I get to experience a new moment of wonder as I work alongside our horses, providing therapeutic services to anyone who comes our way. 

It's been an absolute joy to learn and grow as a part of the Lone Oak "herd." I've learned what it looks like to lead with equal parts confidence and kindness. The horses have given me the opportunity to practice self-regulation and calming myself down when I feel nervous. I've had to be honest with myself as horses can see right through any front you put up. They know when your insides don't match your outsides. Horses are fine tuned to the environment around them, always looking for safety. There have been times when I get to the barn, and all the stresses of life and grad school are running around my mind. I notice the change in the horses immediately. They become more alert and antsy. However, this reminds me that the way I walk through the world has a significant impact on the people around me. In these moments I have to take a step back and breathe and make sure that I am present and not distracted by whatever worries the day has held. I could go on and on about the positive impact that spending time in the barn has had on me personally, but I'll leave it at that for now. But trust that I've learned so much from the team here at our little farm, both human and equine! 

One thing that sets this organization apart is that it is completely volunteer run. This means that none of the staff or leadership team take a paycheck. Everyone who is here is giving of their time because they care about the horses and making sure that equine therapy is accessible to anyone who would benefit from it. The generosity of folks like you (the one reading this right now) are what keeps Lone Oak running. The support we raise through the ExtraGive is much of what carries us through the year, helping to pay for hay, grain, and straw as well as vet and farrier services for our animals. Beyond these practical needs, your donations make therapy accessible to those in need who cannot afford traditional therapy but benefit greatly from getting to be outdoors and breathing some fresh air. While traditional therapeutic intervention is valuable and important, there are some folks who don't feel that it's the right fit for them to sit in an office and talk to someone. These people sometimes find healing through being in nature, caring for animals, and moving their bodies. It's good for the soul, mind, and body. The benefits stretch from clients to volunteers to interns to therapists. Everyone finds some piece of hope and support at Lone Oak. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our community and we are so tremendously grateful!

I have set a huge goal for myself to raise a large sum of financial support to give back to the place that has come to mean so much to me and I need your help to do it! Please, if you are able, consider giving to Lone Oak. If you are not able to give financially at this time, please share with your friends, family and coworkers. Let's make this day of giving extraordinary as you help change lives in Lancaster County and beyond!