As this week comes to an end, we reflect on what an experience this has been. We cannot believe how fast six days have flown by. With the most charismatic group we could have imagined, we took on a 10 hour drive and three incredible service sites. Today, we had change of plans and ended up serving our housing site by picking up trash and mulching around the building. It was exciting to help out the place that has been so kind to us this week.
After spending the week volunteering, we gave ourselves a little end of the week celebration at Pier 60 beach. We laid out, played in the water, and enjoyed the fun under the sun. We ended the night with a family dinner at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill. Even though we waited almost 2 hours for a table, it was worth it to watch the sun set on the beach and have a nice meal together.
This has truly been a magical week, and we as trip leaders could not have asked for better participants. Thank you to everyone for helping make this trip a reality, especially Kate Kennedy, MaryAnn Gibney, and Scarlett Bowman. You all have been the best support system we could have asked for.
Peace out Tampa!
Hayley and Matt
Friday, March 20, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
We Are Family
Today we visited Lorraine's Horse Rescue for the last time and it was certainly a day to remember. Some of us got to trot on a horse for the first time and others were given the opportunity to witness a live horse castration. Lorraine was kind enough to welcome us to her home, introduce us to her family, and provide us with a delicious lunch of grilled hotdogs and burgers. Eating together at the table gave us additional time to bond with each other and create a more family-like connection with each other.
We also were able to learn much more about horses and how to care for them from the veterinarian, who is a UT alumnus, that came to Lorraine's Horse Rescue. She informed us about common horse diseases and simple treatments to them. She was very easy-going and was more than happy to share her knowledge with us.as she performed the horse castration she guided us through the process and every other bit of information she shared with us was especially important to the students with animal science majors.
Afterwards, at the University of South Florida we took a tour of the campus and met and talked to other students who participated in Alternative Spring Break Trips over dinner. We discovered many similarities and differences between USF and UTK and the Alternative Spring Break programs that each university has. The students at USF were just as enthusiastic as we were about ASB and made us feel very welcome on their campus.
Overall, today was a good day. We enjoyed the combination of learning and binding with each other and the new people that we got to meet at Lorraine's and USF.
-Danni and Jessica
P.s. The ride back from USF in Hayley's van was phenomenal. Singing and laughing together to the music that Taylor played was extremely entertaining. It's definitely a moment to never forget. We were able to be ourselves and be silly together and that has brought us closer together.
We also were able to learn much more about horses and how to care for them from the veterinarian, who is a UT alumnus, that came to Lorraine's Horse Rescue. She informed us about common horse diseases and simple treatments to them. She was very easy-going and was more than happy to share her knowledge with us.as she performed the horse castration she guided us through the process and every other bit of information she shared with us was especially important to the students with animal science majors.
Afterwards, at the University of South Florida we took a tour of the campus and met and talked to other students who participated in Alternative Spring Break Trips over dinner. We discovered many similarities and differences between USF and UTK and the Alternative Spring Break programs that each university has. The students at USF were just as enthusiastic as we were about ASB and made us feel very welcome on their campus.
Overall, today was a good day. We enjoyed the combination of learning and binding with each other and the new people that we got to meet at Lorraine's and USF.
-Danni and Jessica
P.s. The ride back from USF in Hayley's van was phenomenal. Singing and laughing together to the music that Taylor played was extremely entertaining. It's definitely a moment to never forget. We were able to be ourselves and be silly together and that has brought us closer together.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
The purrfect day
Today was spectacular! We arrived at Lorraine's and groomed a horse like we did yesterday. This included using soft brushes, hard brushes, and combs to groom the horses hair and mane. We also had to use a pick to clean the horses hooves.
Following that, Lorraine showed us how she rides her horses. She showed us training techniques and how to saddle a horse. However, she didn't "teach" us how to ride because she says that the horse teaches YOU how to ride. She did however give us a brief overview on how to use the reigns.
Next, we drove to the Humane Society, and our drives are always an adventure. After many detours and u-turns we finally make it. We were divided into three groups: one for the Warehouse, one for customer service, and one for taking videos of dogs that were up for adoption. The warehouse was indirect service and required a couple of us to move some paint and organize various materials. The customer service group made calls to homes of adopted pets to check in on their adaptation to their new family. Members had a great time interacting with the different pet owners and made it a really fun time. Lastly, we took videos of dogs we are hoping to be adopted. We were provided a list of names and set out to collect those animals. We gauged the demeanor of the dog and put it in a setting that would best complement its best attributes. We would play with the energetic dogs or cuddle with calmer ones. We provided the videos for the office to post to hopefully aide in their adoption. It was an extremely rewarding trip.
After yet another busy day we loaded back into the vans to head home. We had to make an additional Walmart trip to pick up various items from food to secret buddy items to new air mattresses. We finished up and we're finally able to head back to a delicious taco dinner and showers. It is awesome to be able to work directly with the animals, but it was pretty cool to see how they can benefit from our indirect service as well.
Following that, Lorraine showed us how she rides her horses. She showed us training techniques and how to saddle a horse. However, she didn't "teach" us how to ride because she says that the horse teaches YOU how to ride. She did however give us a brief overview on how to use the reigns.
Next, we drove to the Humane Society, and our drives are always an adventure. After many detours and u-turns we finally make it. We were divided into three groups: one for the Warehouse, one for customer service, and one for taking videos of dogs that were up for adoption. The warehouse was indirect service and required a couple of us to move some paint and organize various materials. The customer service group made calls to homes of adopted pets to check in on their adaptation to their new family. Members had a great time interacting with the different pet owners and made it a really fun time. Lastly, we took videos of dogs we are hoping to be adopted. We were provided a list of names and set out to collect those animals. We gauged the demeanor of the dog and put it in a setting that would best complement its best attributes. We would play with the energetic dogs or cuddle with calmer ones. We provided the videos for the office to post to hopefully aide in their adoption. It was an extremely rewarding trip.
After yet another busy day we loaded back into the vans to head home. We had to make an additional Walmart trip to pick up various items from food to secret buddy items to new air mattresses. We finished up and we're finally able to head back to a delicious taco dinner and showers. It is awesome to be able to work directly with the animals, but it was pretty cool to see how they can benefit from our indirect service as well.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Lions, tigers, and...horses?
Today we were lucky enough to serve at Big Cat Rescue and Lorainne's Horse Rescue here in Tampa. Our morning started off better than we expected as we pulled up and unloaded the vans and heard the tigers begin to slightly roar from over the walls. We began our services for the day by improving the conditions of several big cat enclosures. Periodically throughout this experience, we would talk with the interns on hand and learn about the care that it took to keep each animal in full health as well as the wide variety of exploitation that, even we as people who are passionate about animals, were unaware of. Even the small acts impact the bigger picture.
Then after a refreshing lunch break we were off to Lorraine's Horse Rescue. With personal experience with horses and other horse rescue centers, it was obvious the special touch that Lorainne's had with their rescues. Most of these horses had been violently abused and neglected by previous owners, but yet completely trusted us as strangers to groom and care for them. It was so encouraging to see these damaged animals take such a complete turn for the better.
This was only our first dys of service and we have already created many lasting memories and this only makes us more excited for what is to come in these next few days of service!
- Aaron and Morgan
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Tampa or Bust
Well this morning started off foggy and cold at the wonderful hour of 6:30 am. We met to load up with the vans with our "lightly" packed luggage and finally had everybody together. Kayla provided bagels from her work that we all enjoyed.
The drive started off smooth and quiet with just about everyone sound asleep and Matt/Hayley at the wheel. As people started waking, we started becoming closer, sharing funny stories and even secret/weird talents. Since Chick-Fil-A decided not to accommodate us this fine Sunday, we headed to the oh so second best option: Zaxby's. From here we hit the road, Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts blaring out of the speakers.
Next stop, Florida. We got our daily dose of Vitamin C with some fresh oranges and orange juice from a Florida welcome center/gas station. We also spotted the thirteen foot long gator (we were sad when we realized it wasn't alive). After three accidents, construction, and a not planned detour, we met the beautiful Tampa skyline at sunset. With a quick trip to Wal-Mart, we made our way to Salvation Army, unloaded the vans, and started on dinner. Three of our team members made spaghetti salad, and garlic toast. We shared even more travel stories as we eagerly wait for tomorrow's day of service.
Written by Savannah and Dashawn
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