Early morning volunteer
He now volunteers several hours every weekend as well as every holiday and day off from school. As his mother, Christina, says, “it takes a miracle and MTR to inspire a 15 year old boy to get up at 6 am on a weekend!”
Tristan says that he was really happy and surprised to receive the award.
“But I’m not sure why! It is such a privilege to go to MTR, I love it. In fact, I know that I want to make this my career and I am already looking for a college that offers a degree in equine studies,” he said. “My favorite part of MTR is my horse buddy, Lucy. I get to groom her and take care of her tack: we have a special relationship and just understand each other. I also work each week with the same three clients, girls with developmental disabilities, and I am always excited to see and work with them.”
The Governor’s Service award will be given to Tristan at a special recognition luncheon in Baltimore on May 9th. A Governor’s Service Award recipient is selected because he or she: demonstrates sustained volunteer commitment that meets a community need; engages in meaningful volunteer service that makes a measurable difference in the community; represents extraordinary acts of generosity and kindness; and, through volunteerism, has an impact on the greater community. Tristan meets or exceeds all these criteria.
A non-profit, Maryland Therapeutic Riding is located in Crownsville. With the help of more than 130 volunteers each week and 11 specially-trained horses, MTR offers riding programs that offer education and healing to children and adults including those with special abilities and needs, through specially developed horseback riding programs.
