I have a huge heart for volunteering. For the past five years, I have spent my Saturdays helping at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Woodinville. Little Bit focuses on children and adults with special needs, providing them with a positive and encouraging atmosphere while using horses to utilize their muscles. During my time at Little Bit, I have met many astounding people from all walks of life. Through assisting them in various classes and the annual horse show, I am amazed at how much I have learned from them. These individuals have such an immense passion for life, always excited for their classes and being around the horses, volunteers, and instructors. They are always encouraging and selfless, giving gifts to their volunteers and congratulating each other on jobs well done. Above all, they are persistent. Riding horses is difficult, especially if you cannot control your muscles. However, they are determined to master the challenges they face in the arena, and this willpower benefits and strengthens their characters in the outside world. By watching them and getting to know them, I had new standards by which to hold myself to. I understood the importance of taking each day as it comes, spending time doing things I enjoy, with the people I love, and striving to attain my goals – and accomplishing them. I had to be selfless and thoughtful, helping and encouraging, loving and willing to learn myself. As a result of my experience at Little Bit, I have an increased understanding of and desire to be around people with disabilities. In addition, I have a greater passion to volunteer and help others.

Last fall, I learned of a woman who had Multiple Sclerosis and needed help a few times a week with her two children. I was really excited to be hired by her, as now I would actually be paid for doing something I truly enjoy. In the six months I worked for her, I helped with dinner, playtime, and getting the kids ready for bed. I was able to utilize the people-skills I had learned and developed at Little Bit. Putting the money aside, I focused on their needs instead of my own, which allowed me to enjoy my "job" and create relationships with the family. When my job here ended, I was able to take these refined skills and attributes, as well as the fun memories, with me.

One day, I would like to become a nurse, either in pediatrics or the emergency room. This summer, I will be "getting my feet wet" by volunteering at Children's Hospital. My three-hour shifts will consist of playing with the patients – wait, this sounds fun—fun in a hospital? We volunteers are responsible for being the fun for the children while they are staying at the hospital – whether we are playing in the playroom, taking toys and books to their individual rooms, or rocking babies for the two hours we are with the children. The volunteers are strictly for fun, so that the patients will associate us with "no pain", as they might associate the doctors or nurses. Although I have not started at Children's yet, I am really excited to continue volunteering. I will be able to surround myself with children while familiarizing myself with the environment I would eventually like to work in.

Volunteering has been a life-changing experience. It has helped me mature and allowed me to meet people I would not normally have had the chance to meet. I am more aware and understanding of people with disabilities, and I believe the skills and qualities I have acquired, as well as the memories, will stay with me for the rest of my life.