Our feed crew is crucial to the health of the horses and our organization. This month’s featured volunteer doesn’t just feed our horses, she lives our mission and changes lives.
Stephanie Onstot is new to Red Bucket, but not new to working with animals or rescues. She states, “I’ve been volunteering with Red Bucket for just under a year. When I was younger I leased a horse from the ranch across the street from my house where I learned to ride English and Western. Then I went away to college with the plan to attend veterinarian school and become a vet tech. I volunteered at animal shelters, promoted animal adoption, and worked in a low cost spay and neuter clinic. My whole life has revolved around animals and has been defined by rescued dogs and cats. So why not add horses! Red Bucket seemed the perfect place for me to rekindle my passion for equines.”
Stephanie started out working with Diana Harper and Andrea Velarde on the feed crew Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then began working with Jenon Mathes on Sundays when she was short-handed. Diana recalls when Stephanie first arrived at the Ranch: “Stephanie has such an outgoing personality, always a happy smiling face and ready to lend a hand. She helps out three nights a week and sometimes helps out with grooming on Sunday. This young woman is full of energy, spirit and joy; she is very considerate to others and mindful of what is going on with each and every horse. She is very thorough and makes sure everything is done correctly. I am so glad she joined our Red Bucket team, and I’m sure everyone else is too!”
Andrea elaborates on the merit of Stephanie’s work, “She is truly a godsend! From her very first day Stephanie just took off. She is a quick learner and just ‘got it’ from the get go! She is very responsible, reliable and intelligent. If something needs to be done, I know that Stephanie will do it and do it RIGHT!” “Diana and Andrea were there every day with me and showed me the ropes,” Stephanie reciprocates. “They are absolutely amazing and taught me so much about feeding and the Ranch! Just when I thought I had the hang of it, we had a 30 horse ranch swap and I felt like I was back at square one. It took me about a week to get my rhythm back and feel comfortable with all of the new horses. Jenon retaught me everything I used to know and expanded on that knowledge immensely. I spent the majority of my youth with just one horse, but now I am grooming and turning out multiple horses, and each has its own personality and its own trigger. I was in a new element and learning rapidly day by day.”
Susan Peirce can’t say enough about Stephanie’s positive attributes and contributions to our cause. “What a wonderful person! She super bright and acts as Andrea Velarde’s counterpart. The feed crew is not only the backbone of Red Bucket, but also the cornerstone of our leadership. Stephanie is not only competent and caring, she also has an incredible amount of energy and trustworthiness. She doesn’t just DO the job, she ACES the job! Her level of service is something money can’t buy, and you just can’t teach that. She truly gets it, and her level of awareness is staggering!”
Red Bucket signifies a second chance for horses, a theme that resonates with Stephanie. “These past few months I’ve seen tremendous changes in horses like Charlie, Leonie, Sparrow and Gigi,” she explains. “I’ve also experienced tremendous loss with the passing of Jack, Shavers, Baldwin and Callum, although I know they left this world surrounded by so many people that loved and cherished them. Red Bucket has taken on a personal meaning to me: it has become the symbol of hope in a world where that is a rare commodity. I have rough days at work and at home, but no matter how stressed out or beat down I am, when I walk through those gates nothing else matters. The world is as it should be. The oasis in a desert is filled with love, compassion and incredible people. Red Bucket provides a new life for each horse it saves, and Red Bucket also gives new life to each volunteer it saves too, and that is incredible.”
“I have learned a great deal in my short time at the Ranch,” Stephanie continues. “Working with many different personalities and temperaments has helped me grow. I’ve learned to handle multiple horses in a paddock, and to make the best of every situation. Working with these horses puts a smile on my face. No matter what has happened earlier in my day, I come to Red Bucket and my day just gets better. I leave so relaxed and content with myself and the work that I have done.”
Nothing compares to the love and nurturing spirit of a caregiver; we are blessed to have Stephanie’s radiance shine through to our horses at feeding time. Thank you Stephanie for sharing your heart and soul with us!