Through painting, pruning and lending of extra hands, 150 participants volunteered more than 400 hours for various equine non-profit organizations in the Lexington area during the University of Kentucky Equine Week of Service Oct. 8-14.
The UK Ag Equine Programs’ Wildcat Wrangler student ambassador team lead this annual tradition of giving back, a unique opportunity for equine students, alumni, faculty and staff in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment to support Kentucky’s equine industry.
Over the week, volunteers served seven different equine non-profit organizations: African Cemetery No. 2, Blue Grass Farm Charities, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, Old Friends, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover.
UK’s Equine Week of Service began in 2020 during the pandemic lockdown days. Students wanted to help support Kentucky’s signature industry in a meaningful way while at the same time finding opportunities to connect with other students sharing a similar passion for horses. The event was wildly popular, and it became an annual tradition.
“I’m very proud of the Wildcat Wrangler equine student ambassador team. Their hard work in creating and implementing unique opportunities for students to serve the industry and to network does not go unnoticed,” said Kristen Wilson, senior academic coordinator for the Equine Science and Management program and advisor to the equine ambassador team. “This year, we returned to organizations we’ve served in the past. We also added new opportunities, allowing students to choose from a variety of opportunities.”
Source: uky.edu
Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky
Categories: Kentucky, Livestock