Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. recently named Lynn Wychunas as its volunteer of the year for 2025 at the organization’s year end celebration.

The event was held on Nov. 1 at the Community Hall of Zions Stone Church, New Ringgold.

Executive Director Harvey Smith and Program Director Elaine Smith presented Wychunas with a trophy along with a certificate of appreciation depicting photos of her with some of the riders she has helped.

Four years ago, Wychunas, a lifelong horse lover, decided to volunteer at H.H.T.L.C. and has been volunteering there ever since.

She has helped as a side aide during lessons for all three sessions of lessons each year. Side aides play a crucial role in therapeutic riding lessons. They help riders to get their horse ready for lessons, and then they also walk alongside the horse to help ensure the safety of the rider.

Wychunas holds an RN and BSN, and she was director of critical care at LVHN Schuylkill prior to her retirement after 40 years in nursing.

She lives in Pottsville with her husband, Vincent, and their yellow Lab, Wyatt. They have a grown daughter, Lauren.

When Wychunas isn’t volunteering at H.H.T.L.C., she enjoys reading, music and working out at the gym.

Other recognition

Also announced at H.H.T.L.C.’s year end celebration was the Horse of the Year for 2025, Boone.

This was determined by popular vote of the organization’s riders and volunteers.

Boone, registered name, Hawk’s Winning Colors, is a 24-year-old American quarter horse, a breed known for their calm dispositions and versatility. He has been in the center’s lesson program for the past 15 years. This was Boone’s fifth time being named horse of the year.

At the organization’s western themed year end celebration, all volunteers received certificates of appreciation, and riders were awarded certificates of achievement.

H.H.T.L.C is a nonprofit organization, which offers therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with a wide variety of physical, mental and emotional disabilities.

Since its founding in 1993, it has operated from Harvey and Elaine Smith’s Helping Horse Farm, located between Tamaqua and New Ringgold.

The program, which runs from April to October, is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Therapeutic horseback riding has been shown to improve balance, posture, strength and coordination. It also helps to increase self-awareness, self-confidence, attention span and independence. Riders often gain improved social skills as well.

For information on becoming a volunteer or enrolling a rider in Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center, visit www.horsesandhorizons.org, or call Elaine Smith at 570-386-5679.