Shery McDonald-Galbreath is the recipient of the Invisible Disabilities Association’s 2013 Volunteer Honors Award to be presented on October 24th in Denver, Colorado.

Shery, a native of Colorado, has always embraced the Western way of life. A ‘cowgirl’ by nature, she grew up with a love of horses and a love for the community she calls home. As the founder and president of the SaddleUp! Foundation Shery is accomplishing a childhood dream of creating an opportunity for others to experience the joys of horsemanship.

The SaddleUp! Foundation was literally founded in her own back yard. Out of her desire to share her love of horses with her daughter Emma, she enlisted the help of equestrian professionals. After a short time, Emma was confident on horseback, and several of her friends were asking how they too, could “SaddleUp!.” Shery decided to start a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that would help individuals with special needs through the SaddleUp! Foundation equine facilitated activities and therapies. She also helps children and adults through all areas and levels of horsemanship in a fun, friendly and family-oriented environment.

Since it’s formal beginnings back in 2002, SaddleUp! Foundation continues to grow in leaps and bounds. But, what really gets her heart ‘galloping’ is opening the barn doors to participants who have special needs and providing our facility, equipment, and horses free of charge for use in hippotherapy sessions.

Shery McDonald-Galbreath brings a wealth of experience and community understanding to SaddleUp! Foundation. Shery is an expert in media relations, artist development, marketing and communications. She has worked as a writer for the Denver Rocky Mountain News as well as a contributing lifestyles reporter for 9NEWS, the NBC Affiliate in Denver. She has been prominently featured as a radio guest on 100.3 FM.

Shery has been extremely active in the community with a number of philanthropic endeavors such as Kempe Children’s Foundation, Betty Ford Children’s Foundation, Volunteers of America, Families First, Leukemia & Lymphoma, Developmental Pathways, Cancer League, Firefly Autism, and Global Down Syndrome. She has served as chairwoman for numerous fundraising events and currently devotes the majority of her charitable time and energy to raising funds for SaddleUp! Foundation.

Shery– or ‘Bear’ as her friends call her, currently resides in Parker, Colorado with her husband Jim and daughter; Emma , as well as the horses whom reside in what her friends call ‘Bear’s Barn and Spa’ – Prince Phillip, Isabelle, Harley, Rain, Randy, Slick, Allie, Whinny, Jet, Toby and Zeke, and dogs Bernice, Buddy, Gus and Daisy.