Sherry Hoffman

Volunteer

Sherry Hoffman has been volunteering at Little Bit for approximately twelve years. She started as a sidewalker, and now she’s a volunteer captain and helps with paddock training. As a volunteer captain, she helps newer volunteers learn the ropes at Little Bit. 

Sherry first heard about Little Bit at Bite of Seattle from the human partner of former Little Bit horse Blaze, who came to Little Bit from the Seattle Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit.

The combination of horses and special needs people initially drew Sherry’s interest to Little Bit. She had experience with special needs children, including teaching children with various learning disorders to read. She says her favorite things about being at Little Bit are working with the riders, to whom you can get very attached; working with all the volunteers and staff, who become a bit of a team; and of course, the horses.

“You get here and everybody’s so nice, it’s like a little family around here,” says Sherry.

Sherry has anxiety and chronic pain and says that Little Bit helps her get up every day. “I’m calmer and I feel better, and then I help others feel better.”    

Sherry has worked with one participant for the entire twelve years that’s she’s volunteered at Little Bit. She started as her sidewalker and is now a leader and her only volunteer. “You grow to love each other,” says Sherry. “I’ve built a relationship with her and her family.”  

Sherry shares a recent story about working with Little Bit horse Bear during an EALDA group. The group all lined up to get a hug from Bear, including one individual who admitted he was afraid of horses. “He got over that in a big hurry and wanted a hug from Bear,” says Sherry.

In addition, Sherry shares, “I had a kid that I worked with; he was in a wheelchair, and when we were done, he walked into the sand arena. That’s huge.”

Sherry believes Little Bit is so important in the community because it affects so many different communities. “It has a huge impact on a large number of people. It helps a large number of people with special needs. It allows volunteering at any level. . . Families have gotten to know each other, that’s an aspect that’s huge, it helps families, sometimes this is the only hour that they get off. . . Just after COVID, it’s the only hour that riders got away from the house.” 

What’s special about Little Bit celebrating its 50th anniversary? “I think it’s wonderful how many people we’ve been able to help; hopefully, how many we will be able to continue to help. As well as, talk to any of the volunteers in the tack barn, I think we get more out of it than they do. . . It will help anybody, if you have a disability or not.”   

Find more 50th anniversary stories HERE.