Volunteer of the Year 2019

We are thrilled to recognize Laura Brightwell is our 2019 Volunteer of the Year! 

She was awarded at our 2019 Mane Event, held at the Bella Terra Estates in Cabot, AR in September.  

Volunteering at Beyond Boundaries started as a simple way to re-visit her love for horses and it soon turned into much more than she imagined.

Laura Brightwell, Volunteer of the Year for Beyond Boundaries, grew up loving horses and even had a Shetland pony. Her experiences with horses as a little girl are some of her favorite childhood memories.  

As an adult, she dreamed of the day she could own her own horse. But life gets busy and it’s hard to find time and gain experience to properly care for and train a horse. Laura knew she had to find a different way to fulfill her dream… that’s when she learned of all the opportunities at Beyond Boundaries.

“Beyond Boundaries was on my radar as a great group working with disabled kids utilizing horses. I hoped they needed a volunteer to groom horses, pick hooves, or scoop poop. It did not cross my mind that I would be able to work with horses AND kids” says Laura. “I called to volunteer and Jimmy scheduled my volunteer training. I was pleased to learn about the variety of ways I could help”. When describing the people she works alongside, Laura says that “all the therapists and staff are so welcoming, fielding all my questions and providing great training. They are big hearted people and I enjoy spending time with them”.

Beyond Boundaries is the perfect place to build friendships and to “get your horse fix”, as Laura likes to say. Not only did volunteering satisfy her heart for horses, but it grew her heart for children. “Smiles, hugs, games, singing and laughter make the world go ‘round in the BB arena” says Laura. “The kids are brave and so hard working. Good day or bad day, they show up and give it their best. I am thankful that I get to spend time with them and watch their hard earned progress through their therapy. I’m so proud of them”.