Teens in grades six through 12 are invited to participate in a program at Turning Point Ranch, located at 385 S. Country Club Road, on Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 3-5:30 p.m. This event will focus on horse care, and teens can earn volunteer hours for school. Registration is required.

Teens will get the opportunity to interact with Turning Point Ranch’s 12 therapy horses while participating in hands-on service activities, including restoring arena equipment, cleaning pastures and painting a mural on the main barn. At the end of the program, teens can receive a letter verifying their volunteer hours.

Stillwater Public Library Teen Librarian Jordan Stine first became interested in having a horse-themed program when members of the Teen Advisory Council (TAC) recommended it. 

“Our TAC group does love horses, but they also have a strong interest in helping the community,” Stine said. “We also love getting to work with Turning Point. They really have gone the extra mile to help us with this program.” 

Paige Bothello, program coordinator and instructor at Turning Point, echoes this sentiment.

“At Turning Point, we believe that meaningful partnerships with community organizations are essential to creating a healthier, more inclusive society,” Bothello said. “We hope that teens who come out to the program learn about the training and characteristics required for a horse to become part of the therapeutic riding program.”

Bothello also emphasizes that there will be plenty of opportunities to pet and care for the horses.

“Another skill we hope to show teens is how Turning Point cares for our horses,” Bothello said. “All kinds of people come to our ranch, and we hope that by showing how we care for the horses and the facility, we can promote a more inclusive and compassionate community.”

Stine stresses that teens who attend “All About Horses” will not be allowed to ride the horses. Because a doctor’s note is required to ride horses, Turning Point Ranch and Stillwater Public Library advise that teens will only be allowed to pet horses and participate in volunteer tasks. Attendees should wear clothes that they are comfortable getting dirty and closed-toe shoes. Refillable water bottles are also recommended. 

To earn volunteer hours, email Jordan Stine at Jordan.stine@stillwaterok.gov. This program is solely a one-time volunteer opportunity for teens with the Stillwater Public Library, but teens interested in obtaining more volunteer hours with the library may apply to join TAC on the library’s website at stillwaterok.gov/Library.

Registration for “All About Horses” is open now and is required for attendance. Please register by visiting tinyurl.com/SPLHorses, by calling (405) 372-3633 x8106 or in person at the library Help Desks.