Meg Penner

Volunteer

Meg Penner has been volunteering at Little Bit for ten years. Thirty years ago, she read an article about Little Bit and knew she wanted to volunteer one day. She started volunteering once her fourth child went off to college. “It’s my happy place,” says Meg.

Meg has been around horses most of her life and was drawn to the aspect of horses helping people, which she describes as a whole new world to her, having never been on that side of it before.

Meg says that some of her favorite moments are with the riders she gets to work with. Meg works with a rider that every week greets her with a handshake and tells her they missed her. “I love that,” she says. Another rider she has worked with for ten years, who is mostly nonverbal, recently got off at the end of the lesson and turned to Meg and said, ‘thank you’. “It was really a neat moment,” she says. In addition, “I got to witness an autistic child say a new word for the first time, and that was just a great experience.”

“The riders I work with each week have become so special to me. Watching their growth and being part of their journey is something I truly treasure.”

Meg shares how inspiring it is to see parents and caregivers bring their participants out to Little Bit every week, and their active investment in their participant’s growth and happiness. Their commitment, patience, and support show a quiet strength. “It’s just the most positive place I’ve ever been,” Meg shares. “I’m so impressed with the women that work here. . .the most hardworking women seem to be here, and everyone’s so detail oriented, it’s run so efficiently, and everybody’s just so kind. All the happy moments that Little Bit has created in the last 50 years with families and the riders. All the great horses that have helped make this happen. It’s just a top-notch organization.”

A lot of new programming has been added since Meg started volunteering. Her favorite addition is the community holiday drive-through event. “Cutest event of the year,” she says.

What is special about Little Bit celebrating its 50th anniversary? “It’s just brought a lot of joy to a lot of people and a lot of families,” says Meg. “It opens a door for a lot of people to have some very special experiences. It connects body and soul with a horse. It’s just a really unique experience.”

     Find more 50th anniversary stories HERE.