Employee Spotlight: Sarah Thies, Legal Administrative Assistant

May 7, 2013  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

As our clients already know, one of the greatest assets of Barna, Guzy & Steffen is our staff. We are not just a collection of 27 lawyers – we are a team of 64 individuals who are also important members of our community. Periodically we highlight one of our staff and the community organizations that they support. Today, the spotlight is on Sarah Thies.
Sarah is the legal administrative assistant in our municipal, labor and employment group. Sarah has been with BGS for over 20 years. She is a monthly platelet donor at Memorial Blood Center and a regular volunteer at the Brooklyn Park Eidem Homestead historical farm.
Sarah also volunteers and is on the Board of Directors for Stable Pathways. Stable Pathways is located at Bunker Park Stables in Coon Rapids. It provides equine-assisted activities for people living with physical and cognitive challenges under the careful direction of either a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International Certified Instructor or a Minnesota licensed Occupational Therapist.
Sarah says that therapeutic horseback riding helps riders “organize” body and brain. Sarah explained that the horse’s gait is most similar to a human gait so riding provides a connection to a natural rhythmic movement from the horse that stimulated the rider’s body and brain.
Sarah says that riders at Stable Pathways have experienced positive changes in a variety of ways such as steadier balance, improved core strength, increased trunk control through side to side and front to back movement, and strengthening legs through stretching and balance. She indicated that riding provides physical and mental organizing benefits; social skill practice and interaction as well as learning independence and practicing decision-making skills and developing empathy.
She says that riding in different positions really improves balance and stability but also gives the rider confidence and improved self esteem. An avid horse fan, she says that helping the riders and watching the fun that they are having is the best part of the program.
Group classes are held on Mondays for 12 weeks in the spring and again in the fall. Stable Pathways is a 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more about Stable Pathways, visit their website.