Stanbridge University
Partnerships

Ms. Hannah Marte volunteered with the Epic Days Foundation, an organization focused on offering beach adventure experiences to children with special needs. Through this initiative, Ms. Marte utilized physical therapy skills to foster a fun and inclusive environment with enriching beach activities.

Ms. Talin Mirzaei volunteered with NDR Therapeutic Riding, a program offering equine-assisted activities (EAA) for people with disabilities. Through this fellowship, Ms. Mirzaei applied occupational therapy principles to help clients develop confidence and have fun in a safe, supportive environment.

Ms. Whitney Boetel volunteered with the WAVES Project, providing access to therapeutic scuba diving experiences for wounded American combat veterans with spinal cord injuries, PTSD, amputations, and other impairments. Ms. Boetel’s work with WAVES helped expand its scope to allow more veterans access to the program.

Ms. Anneke Van Ommering volunteered with Life Rolls On, an adaptive surfing camp for people with disabilities. Through her partnership with Life Rolls On, Ms. Ommering helped implement a needs assessment program to provide better service and engagement and helped participants catch waves at adaptive surf events.

Stanbridge Veterinary Technology students Margaret Han and Shelby Patrick volunteered with Project Wildsong to work with the ambassador wolves. Ms. Han and Ms. Patrick learned to care for exotic animals and aid in wildlife conservation while helping to create and implement interactive experiences for the public to interact with and learn about wolves.

Mr. Karl Andres volunteered to support children with special needs at the OC Bike Camp at the Ninja Warrior Recreation Camp. While training volunteers, Mr. Andres’ goal was to help provide participating children the opportunities for beneficial adaptive physical engagement, independent life skills, and fun.

Ms. Patricia Hansen volunteered with survivors of traumatic head injuries at High Hopes Head Injury Program. Through the innovative Lokomat machine, a robot-assisted walking therapy device, Ms. Hansen gained a better understanding of how clients can use walking therapy to improve mobility and independence.

Ms. Jacquelyn DuVall assisted in the launch of the GetWell Network, an interactive patient care program at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center. Ms. Duvall learned leadership and interpersonal communication skills as she helped trained other nurses and hospital staff to use the system to support patients’ health education.