Volunteer Amanda Kellogg: Helping Make “A Lasting Legacy at High Hopes”
Amanda first learned about High Hopes seven years ago through someone at a United States Pony Club event hosted at High Hopes. Later, after the COVID-19 lockdown, she ran into people from High Hopes’ gala committee and discovered they were looking for volunteers. She connected with the volunteer team, and a few months later, she started volunteering at High Hopes. Amanda has been volunteering for just over a year now as a horse handler and also helps with unmounted programs.
Amanda fell in love with horses at the young age of six and quickly discovered the impact horses have on people’s lives. She was drawn to the impact horses had on her own life, as she was diagnosed with ADHD in her mid-40s. One of the reasons she thrived in her early years was because she was a “barn kid,” spending time with horses 24/7. The impact that horses have on humans’ lives touched her personally, creating a deep connection with them.
During the COVID lockdown, Amanda didn’t realize how unbalanced her nervous system and brain had become. Joining the High Hopes volunteer team after the lockdown helped her regain balance by reconnecting with what made her life well—horses. She expressed that the heart connection with horses and their ability to help regulate a human’s nervous system always brought her to a peaceful state.
Coming to High Hopes every week to volunteer and work with horses slows down time for Amanda, allowing her to focus on her breathing and mindfulness. “Life gets crazy for everyone, and this is the one place where time stands still, and you can just breathe and be,” Amanda shared. She also noted how she sees this sense of peace in the participants, the horses, and other volunteers, and how amazing it is to see everyone put everything aside when they walk in and just relax.
Although Amanda has only been volunteering for a year, she has already created many amazing memories and experiences. She loves meeting new people week after week, hearing instructors talk about their students, and seeing the progress they make in their lessons. Amanda also enjoys witnessing the bonds between riders and their horses, as well as the connections between participants and their dedicated volunteers. These bonds are her favorite and truly special to her. One of her most memorable experiences was joining the Parkinson’s Program. The group has made tremendous progress and worked hard to put on a drill team recital in late March 2025. Amanda was thrilled and proud of the group’s achievements.
Amanda had a tough time picking a favorite horse since she loves working with all of them. She has had many interactions with Lucky, and it has been an amazing experience getting to know him. “He is quirky and challenging. He’s fabulous for participants, but he likes to test his leaders,” Amanda explained. She appreciates this challenge because it forces her to fine-tune her non-verbal cues with horses and to pick up on their needs. As a lifelong horse rider, she had never been aware of these non-verbal cues until High Hopes allowed her to learn more about this type of communication with horses.
Using the skills she’s learned at High Hopes over the past year, Amanda has been able to apply them in her personal life, where she works as a life and business coach. She uses these skills to help her clients understand what’s going on with other people. Outside of her job, Amanda loves going out to listen to live music, reading, and traveling. She also enjoys getting outside, especially during the spring, and taking long hikes.
Looking to the future at High Hopes, Amanda looks forward to more ground program offerings. “There’s so much more we can do with horses in unmounted programs. It’s great seeing how mindfulness programs can help society,” she said. She wants more people to experience the wonderful, peaceful setting High Hopes provides and to see how its amazing programs bring people together. Amanda loves coming through the doors every week and is always ready to work with other volunteers, participants, and the horses in the fantastic environment that High Hopes fosters. “This is my happy place. This is truly where I am happiest during the week. I can’t wait to be here every week. To know you’re making a lasting legacy… a ripple effect. People are taking what they’ve learned and sharing it with the world. Together, we are all making a huge impact, and I’m so happy to be a part of that.”