Olivia Kuhn: Dedicated to Helping Others
Olivia Kuhn, Chief Scribe understands the importance of giving back to her community and helping those in need. We highlight her determinations to make a difference in the lives of others in this month’s Scribes in the Community piece. The interview below gives a summary of one of her passions, providing services for children and adults via Equine Therapy.
What is the Manito Life Center?
Manito Life Center is a nonprofit founded by Lisa Schadt RN and is a center dedicated to providing services for children and adults who have experienced trauma, are diagnosed with psychiatric/intellectual disorders, and individuals with physical impairments. Services involve equine assisted therapy where individuals get to interact with the horses either by riding them, grooming them, or leading them in order to aid them in whatever areas they need.
How did you get involved with them?
My friend Jackie who has MS volunteers there and she encouraged me to volunteer nearly two years ago because she knew how much I love animals and the people there have become like a second family to me.
Why horses? What does this do for the people you are working with?
I believe I mentioned this above but I think the horses are very therapeutic and many of them are in tune with human emotions, one can even detect seizures!
Can others get involved with this organization?
Others can certainly join this organization-they have a website
https://manitocenters.com/index.php?&main=lifecenter&sub=lifecenter&links=lifecenter&pic=lifecenter&bottompic=07 and they often have volunteer training days listed there. Otherwise people can contact me and I can coordinate volunteer training.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
There are so many aspects I enjoy. I get to help others and it is so incredible watching progress be made. There are such a variety of personalities I get to work with and it makes me appreciate unique individuals and I believe it helps to educate me on how to tailor my actions to best help each person. Finally, I get to be around horses! They are magnificent and I have such a huge respect for them.
Has anything you learned from ScribeAmerica (as a scribe or as a manager) been able to be used in your volunteer work?
Given that I work with people with different disorders I get to use what I learn during clinical shifts while volunteering because I get to partake in each persons therapy and they are often on medications that I am familiar with. I also am able to use information from volunteering when I am in clinical shifts.