Full Circle Moment by Delaney

Full Circle Moment by Delaney - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

An animal who is a survivor is a “Furvivor”. A person who has beat cancer is a “Survivor”. This is what I have in common with the horses and other animals who have been rescued and now reside at “Furvivors Wonderland Horse Rescue and Animal Sanctuary”. We have all survived! The animals have survived horrific conditions and are now taken care of at a wonderful animal rescue. I survived Leukemia and a relapse and am now attending college to become a pediatric nurse. I currently volunteer at a horse rescue called "Furvivors Wonderland Horse Rescue and Animal Sanctuary". I am responsible for grooming and feeding the horses, cleaning barn stalls, and attending fundraisers. The most rewarding part of the job is spending time petting the horses and other animals to show them that they are loved. I learned about this organization when I saw their truck in our local Christmas parade. I noted the phone number on the side of the truck and contacted them when I got home to inquire about volunteering. I encourage everyone to reach out to an organization that they are passionate about and give back. Volunteering my time makes my heart happy, and I only hope that others will take a chance and find their special volunteer organization. Sometimes things happen when you are least expecting it!
Volunteering at “Furvivors” has given me the sense of a full circle moment. When I was receiving chemotherapy treatment, I spent time in a program called “Horse Power for Life”. This is a program that allows sick children to work with horses as a way to separate themselves from doctors, medicines, needles, and hospitals. Once I was considered “cured” I stopped working with horses and I never anticipated that I would miss it so much. I went almost 12 years with only rare and brief equine interactions. I searched for a way for me to get involved with them again and I decided to start volunteering at “Furvivors Wonderland Horse Rescue and Animal Sanctuary.” Spending time with and learning about horses was therapeutic, and still is. I feel like I am giving back now that I am older, making these horses feel better just like the horses did for me when I was in treatment. I admire the mother-daughter team who founded this rescue and wish to help this part of my community in any way I can. I am driven to give back to others, so I am willing to try new things and give 100% in everything that I am asked to do. My advice to my past self would be to not give up those 12 years of being separated from horses. Knowing now how horses make me feel makes me wonder what adventures I missed out on during that time. Everything happens for a reason and it all worked out because I am making up for lost time now.