Rachel was one of the site leaders during Vanderbilt University's Alternative Spring Break in March of 2019.

“This week that my group and I spent at MGH Arena showed us what true passion and hearts for service truly looked like. Everyone, including staff, volunteers, and students were so welcoming and a joy to work with. One of the things that stuck out to me about this week was being able to watch my group bond with and love the students that came to learn at the arena. It was wonderful to watch my Vanderbilt peers’ hearts open up to learn with the children. Honestly, MGH helped my group more than we helped them. Our lives are forever changed by the service we did, the relationships we built, and the kids we met.”

“I love to watch these kids when you put them on the back of a horse. They smile, it makes them happy. It’s a gift to me to see them happy.”

“Volunteering at MGH is one of the highlights of my life. After being away from horses for 30 years, it is a joy just to be around the horses. The greater blessing is working with the students and the wonderful staff and volunteers of MGH. I treasure the human and equine friends I have at MGH. The enrichment of my life by volunteering at MGH is beyond measure.”

“Partnering with the student riders at MGH Arena as they master their skills is the highlight of my week. Being a part of the amazing transformation that takes place between a child and a horse is inspirational. These kids have a real talent for capturing your heart.”

“Volunteering at MGH Arena has been ‘The best job I never had.’ I can’t wait for the days I go there to roll around. I think I felt like I was doing this to ‘give back’ to something, and I do, but what I get back from the children and the horses is much more than anything I could EVER give to them. To see the light in a child’s eyes when their horse comes towards them, or to hear their laughter once they are on their horse knowing the fun is fixing to start. I think what impresses me most is when I see them accomplish a goal they have been working on for two or three months. What an amazing sight to see, that lightbulb go off. To me, that is ‘unbridled joy’. Whether I’m there for one hour a week or three days a week, it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve EVER done in my life. It makes my heart swell with joy to be a part of the MGH family and to know it all matters.”

"I started volunteering at MGH because I was interested in occupational therapy as a future career option. When I first got to the arena, I was amazed at the students' ability to ride and communicate with the horses. After being there for several weeks, I began to see the student's love for the horses and the horse's love for the students. Getting to see the students connect with the horses and other volunteers is really amazing in itself and getting to be one of the volunteers that the students connect with is absolutely amazing. Watching the interaction between individual riders and horses is incredible. The most inspiring thing to see is watching the students overcome difficulties while on the horse."