Melany Weaver – LoveWay

“A lot of times when younger adults and kids first come to LoveWay, at the start, they’re afraid of the horses. Horses are beautiful animals and therapeutic riding programs are so beneficial – but horses are also large animals and they can be very imposing. Even to folks in general who’ve not seen one that close before, and especially to some of our young and old riders here at LoveWay – many of whom are in wheelchairs, or have mild to severe autism, or have sensory or other challenges…It can be scary at first.

But we have amazing horses here. They don’t spook and they are calm, kind and gentle. The kids in particular really enjoy working with the same horse every week – they give them treats and brush them and care for them. They really develop close relationships with the animals and that is very meaningful. And by the end of the year there’s just so much amazing improvement with everyone involved, it’s just incredible.

I started volunteering at LoveWay about 15 years ago. I have seven kids of my own, and all of them worked here with me – volunteering – from the time they were 16 and throughout high school. We have a property in the country. We have horses and they all did 4-H, so my own kids have all been involved with riding from a very early age. I felt it would be good for my kids to learn about working with others who are maybe less fortunate or have significant challenges. My thinking was that it could help my kids to better appreciate their own health and strength and the blessings that they have.

And I think it did, for all of them. One of my daughters ended up getting a special education degree in college and I think her experience volunteering at LoveWay played a big part in that.

This is actually my first year volunteering at LoveWay by myself, without any of my kids. It’s kind of different but I still love coming here. It’s just a rewarding environment. Coming every week – seeing the other volunteers and all the riders and parents – it feels like seeing family. We all share the same goal – to help improve the lives of kids and adults with special needs and challenges.

I’ve seen amazing things here. I’ve seen people leave here, at the end of the day, completely changed from how they came in. I’ve seen non-verbal children use their first words while on a horse. For some of our riders, they have more freedom here than they do in the rest of their lives. That’s what we want to give them, the freedom to ride. To feel cared for, and to feel confident. And then to see them smiling and riding in the arena and many of them waving to their parents and friends and families in the stands – those are just beautiful moments. I think those moments are special, and helpful, also for the families and loved ones of our riders – to have that safe space where joy can be shared and felt so deeply.

We can always use more instructors and volunteers. I got into it having experience with horses, but another great thing about LoveWay is that if you want to volunteer and be a part of this important work, you can get the training and learn how to do what we do. We’ll teach you.

I’ve always been into volunteering because I think it is just good to do, and I think the world would be a better place if people were less selfish with their time. But I never imagined the profoundly positive effect it would have on me and my children, volunteering at LoveWay all these years.

I just love it. Fifteen years later, and I still love it…”

– Melany Weaver

LoveWay Equine Assisted Services, in Middlebury, Indiana, Elkhart County, was originally founded in 1973 by Gary and Sandy Weatherwax in honor and in loving memory of their daughter, Laurie Weatherwax. LoveWay provides therapeutic riding programs and services for people of all ages with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities and works with more than 350 riders each year – with the help of more than 160 volunteers – to continue its mission of empowering individuals and impacting the community.