Founder of Forever Amber Acres Animal Sanctuary (FAAAS), Michelle Bolinger rescued a two-year-old Haflinger Welsh pony named Passion from an Amish farm. According to Bolinger, on the Amish farm, Passion’s owners beat and starved her. Her owners locked her in a very confined stall filled with horse manure, so when Bolinger rescued Passion, the horse had not really socialized with humans or other horses and was in very poor health. Now after Passion’s rehabilitation, Bolinger describes Passion as the most social of the horses at FAAAS. Mischievous and funny, Passion often steals cellphones, takes treats, unties shoes and unzips jackets. She even managed to chew through a metal lock on the gates, so she and the other horses could run around outside of the farm all day as opposed to staying within the 10-acre pasture.

Passion is just one of the animals at FAAAS with a story and a distinct personality. It was not until this year that FAAAS was recognized as a non-profit organization though Bolinger had been using FAAAS as a shelter since she purchased the farm in 2008. Since then, more volunteers have joined Bolinger in her mission to save animals.

First, volunteers fill out an application with references, any experience they have had with horses (not required), and waiver in case they get injured while volunteering. Once complete, the applications go to Bolinger to examine. Bolinger then gives volunteers a shift in either mornings or evenings, but volunteers can also choose a shift that works for them. Bolinger explained the requirements for volunteering at FAAAS and the types of work volunteers can do there.

“We are willing to train any volunteer who is dedicated, passionate about animals, and responsible.  The minimum age to volunteer without adult supervision is fourteen years old. We also seek volunteers to assist us with administrative duties, outreach, marketing, events, website design, photography, [and] videography,” Bolinger said.

Revere seniors Nikki Henry and Lindsey Mason started volunteering at FAAAS two months ago. Mason heard about the volunteer opportunity at school and told Henry about it. Mason shared what first attracted her to participate in the volunteer opportunity.

“I also have two horses myself, so I thought it would be a great way for me to give back and enjoy some more time with horses,” Mason said.

Mason and Henry have engaged in similar volunteer work at various animal shelters. Despite their experience, both seniors still had to undergo training to ensure that they followed FAAAS’s routine. Bolinger’s daughter, junior Tara Abbas helps her mother recruit and train volunteers from school and the community. Abbas stressed the significance of the training.

“Obviously, horses are 1200 pound animals, and you cannot really mess around with them because it can be very serious and you have to be very careful. We teach them how to volunteer and take care of the horses, so they can be safe and so can our animals,” Abbas said.

Henry detailed her and Mason’s typical routine at FAAAS.

“We clean their stalls. We feed them. We groom them. We make sure the cats have enough food and water. We just give them some attention before they close down for the weekend,” Henry said.

Abbas and Bolinger hope to take FAAAS to the next level once they receive more resources to do so. They want expand the barn so they can rescue more horses. They also want to offer physical and occupational therapy with the horses for veterans and children with disabilities. Those interested in volunteering can visit foreveramberacres.org for information.