October 2026: Ann Mittelstead
Ann Mittelstead
Stride Ahead is happy to spotlight long time, dedicated volunteer Ann Mittelstead. Ann came to us after retiring and with a wealth of experience having volunteered with another equine therapy program. We are delighted Ann is a part of our volunteer force.
A life-long animal lover, Ann has done everything from feeding baby birds to volunteering with cat and dog organizations for decades, which she reports can be challenging because she wants to take every dog and cat home. She also loves horses but didn’t think she could bring one home, so she went online, found Stride Ahead and has been volunteering since 2022.
Ann has done just about every volunteer job there is to do at Stride Ahead including lessons, blanketing, med-giver, farrier assistant and rainy day walker. Her wisdom and input are always welcomed and invaluable because it’s always about making the program better for volunteers, riders and our horses.
Ann says the best part of volunteering with Stride Ahead is bonding with the horses as well as making new friends with other Stride Ahead volunteers.
She has been particularly delighted to discover the beauties and intricacies of the horse’s behavior and body language, and learn about their capacity to connect with humans.
She mentioned a magical time when Teddy rested his chin on her shoulder during a nighttime trip to the barn, by herself, for blanketing, as well as getting voluntary hugs from Tigo, and Nash using her cheek to rest on during a recent Masterson session. These things only happen when a horse feels safe and has bonded with its caregiver, which was nothing she ever anticipated when she came to Stride Ahead.
We like to ask people how Stride Ahead has impacted the community, and wanted to share Ann’s inciteful answer. She says Stride Ahead provides a place of acceptance for everyone. It also provides an opportunity to give back and feel, maybe for an hour during a lesson, you made a rider feel “seen,” cared for and special. It’s also therapy for volunteers looking for some relief from their demanding lives.
Quoting another volunteer, Ann says “When you’re here, you don’t think about anything else.”
We appreciate you Ann and all you do for Stride Ahead. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Thank you, Ann!
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Ann and all of our wonderful volunteers who make Stride happen, thank you.
