With a core of 150 volunteers, it was very difficult to again choose two volunteers so deserving of the Volunteer of the Year award, but the honors went to Dale Knuteson & Ashley Larason.

Dale Knuteson has been a PALS volunteer for 7 years. At 6'4", Dale is always in demand as a sidewalker assisting the riders who need extra trunk support and those who ride the 'taller' horses. Dale has many riders who request his help as they enjoy his sense of humor and his encouragement. One of Dale's riders, Justin, always looks forward to his weekly riding, not just because of the horses but because of his time with Dale.

Dale is a role model for the other volunteers and attends many PALS activities outside of lessons. The last 20 years of Dale's 'employment life' were as a chaplain at Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis. When Dale retired in 2000, he was the director of the chaplain's program. Dale has a unique insight into people, and he is a gracious, caring person. Dale and his wife, Becky, live in Monrovia and both have been a valuable part of PALS volunteering since it's inception.

Ashley Larason has been a PALS volunteer for 4 years and is a senior at Bloomington High School South. Ashley is a 4.0+ student in honors classes and plans on getting her bachelor's degree in nursing, perhaps at Purdue. She would like to specialize in Obstetrics/Pediatric care. Ashley is a Eucharistic minister at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and is very involved in Youth Ministry. Ashley has been employed by Chick-Fil-A at the College Mall for 3 years. Along with numerous activities at school, Ashley plays in the Marching Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band and has been named a Young Achiever through 4-H (horse and pony club). She was also chosen as Leader of Tomorrow for Monroe County in 2007 and Monroe County Youth of the Month. Ashley highly regards Fern Bonchek and Jennifer Lung for their direction of the PALS program.

Congratulations Dale and Ashley!

With a core of 150 volunteers, it was very difficult to again choose two volunteers so deserving of the Volunteer of the year award, but the honors went to Susie Carter and Amy Purvis.

Susie is a PALS Board of Director member. She is a Registered Nurse and a Manager of HEARTEAM Cardiopulmonary Rehab, Congestive Heart Failure Clinic and Pacemaker Clinic at Bloomington Hospital. Susie has been a PALS volunteer for 4 years and she is a tireless volunteer who always shows up for her shift early. Her specialty is mucking stalls! Susie also enjoys volunteering at PALS as it combines her love of horses with being able to help individuals.

Amy Purvis has been a PALS volunteer since the summer of 2001. She is currently a Stable Manager on Monday evenings, edits and puts together the PALS Post newsletter and Annual Report, and assists with other PALS publications. Amy is employed at the Indiana University School of Law where she serves as the Director of Stewardship. Amy is always in awe of the amazing things that PALS riders and horses do on a daily basis.

Congratulations Susie and Amy!

Jan Gavin and Kirie Powell were recently recognized as the PALS Volunteer of the Year award recipients. Their names have been added to a plaque that you will be able to view in the waiting area for years to come. Both volunteers’ dedication to the program is unmatched; here are a few words about each of these outstanding volunteers.

Jan was at the first PALS training session in 2000. Putting in more hours at the barn than any other volunteer, Jan trains new volunteers, serves as a Stable Manager, is the Volunteer Shift Coordinator and organizes the Horse Buddy program. In addition, she plays an important role in coordinating special events. In the fall of 2005, Jan was hired as the Director of Development for PALS. Jan is involved with every aspect of the PALS program and she will do anything that needs to be done in order to further the success of the organization. She loves the riders, volunteers, and horses. Jan embodies the spirit of volunteerism and PALS is so lucky to have her.

Kirie as been volunteering at PALS since 2003. While still in high school, Kirie manages to volunteer for three hours a week during the school year. Though Kirie did not have prior horse experience when starting at PALS, she immediately became involved in caring for the horses and keeping the stable clean. Recently, she volunteered at the Special Olympics/Indiana Youth Challenge, traveling with PALS to the event. In addition, Kirie is applying her experience at PALS to her academics by tying it to her senior project at Harmony School. Kirie is the perfect example of a volunteer who not only steps in and does anything that is asked of her, but also independently finds chores that need to be done around the barn. She is enthusiastic, loyal, dedicated, and committed to the PALS program and greets everyone at the barn with a warm smile. Kirie also traveled to the UPHA show with PALS riders, staff, volunteers, and horses.

Congratulations, Jan and Kirie—you are amazing volunteers!