NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — When Kathy Waszak retired from her desk job a dozen years ago, she didn’t have much of an idea of what she would then do.

Years later, she still finds herself in an unlikely place — a farm.

Since retirement, Waszak spends her time volunteering at Edgar’s Farm in Volusia County. The farm is owned and operated by Easterseals Northeast Central Florida for their Equine Assisted Services program.

For Kathy, there is great pleasure in taking care of horses and seeing progress from clients like Lorie Sparks. Lorie has cerebral palsy and spends much of her time confined to her wheelchair. That is, until Lorie made her way to Edgar’s Farm, where volunteers and staff members, including Waszak, helped Lorie saddle up into a horse for a tailored therapy program.

The equine therapy program helps those with various needs, showing improvement in balance, muscle tone, and other cognitive and social skills.

“The horses are amazing animals and they read people. There’s a connection with people. No animal I think has this, so if you’re feeling anxious, the horse feels that. If you’re feeling emotion, horses feel that. If you need love, horses feel that,” said Bev Johnson, President/CEO of Easterseals Northeast Central Florida.

Johnson said the program makes an incredible difference in the lives of their clients, but only because of the work of their volunteers like Waszak.

“It’s such a wonderful feeling. You go home saying I feel good, I did something good,” she said.

She encourages others to get involved and to make a difference in their community. Easterseals Northeast Central Florida are among local groups always looking for volunteers.