They have a passion for horses and for helping others, so a group in the Fox Valley is combining the two to help the community they love.
It all started back in 1999 when a cattle truck overturned on Highway 41. The Valley Mounted Volunteers helped officers round up the livestock, and a new relationship was born.
Summer Buss and her 9-year-old horse Chevy had important work to do recently on the Lifest Christian music festival grounds in Oshkosh.
"Our job is just to make sure that all of the fire lanes are open and clear," she explained.
Buss is one of 25 members of the Valley Mounted Volunteers who donate their time and horses to provide security at events like Lifest. They also travel the state for search and rescue missions.
"It's really satisfying when you get to see somebody who's in so much pain and missing a loved one, and you can help either bring closure or bring that person back to them. I don't think there's any feeling that's quite like it," she says.
Pete VandeWettering started the group 17 years ago. He says they're proud to be an additional resource for officers and firefighters. "Anytime we're on a search, we're up higher. We can hear things and see things that you and I can't when we're walking."
The horses' keen senses help as well.
"Big nostrils. They can smell better than dogs, so they are a very useful tool," he explains.
The group puts volunteer riders and horses through special certification classes which include simulated emergencies.
"Gun fire, police sirens, firemen in full bunker suits and air respirators just to make sure that they can handle whatever we're throwing at them," Buss explains.
The Valley Mounted Volunteers have helped find numerous missing people from children to seniors. They assisted in efforts to find the body of Dr. Jeffery Whiteside who disappeared last summer in Door County. They have also looked for Victoria Prokopovitz of Pittsfield who has been missing since 2013. Thinking back on all the searches, VandeWettering gets emotional.
"Being able to go out and possibly bring a family even closure is great, but to find somebody and bring them back home, that's the ultimate."
The team also gets gratification out of patrolling festival grounds to keep thousands of people safe. They work at safety fairs as well to educate children and parents about what you should do if you get lost. They also enjoy teaching others about horses.
"To me, they're the smartest animal in the world," says volunteer Cody Henry.
"Of course the kids love seeing the horses, and I think a lot of the parents do too," Buss chuckles.
VandeWettering says he's impressed by the growth of his group and their generous spirit. "That really gets me in the heart. They give a lot, yep, they do."
As long as the community continues to support them, you can count on these horseback riders to have your back.
Click here for more information about the Valley Mounted Volunteers non-profit organization.
