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Matchmaking comes easy to Ken Masson, job coach at CLASS in Lawrence. He spends thoughtful time understanding individuals' passions and seeks out just the right job opportunity - he looks for a good fit for the individual with both the employer and job type.
Ken recognized Ron's attraction to animals and contacted the owners of Flying Changes Stables in Chelmsford, where he keeps his horse, Inspiration.
After introducing Ron, he worked with owner Kathy McDermott to develop his list of duties and trained Ron one-on-one until he was self-sufficient. He has progressed to an unsupervised workday every Friday, and he checks off each task as he completes it, ably and dependably.
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Ron at Flying Changes Stables
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"At first we were nervous about Ronnie working, especially unsupervised," says his mom, Ellen. "But then, after my husband and I went over to the stables and saw him at work, we were thrilled. As I watched him, his face relaxed and he was in his comfort zone. He's in his element there. He gives it all he has."
"He's doing a wonderful job," Ken says. "This was a tremendous growth opportunity for Ron. We've learned that he's very clear on how to do something after being told only once. His love for animals is so apparent. He even rides my horse every day and gives him a great big hug."
"Horses can tell when they are with people who respect them, so it's important I hire people who have a love for animals," says Kathy McDermott, owner of Flying Changes. "Ron is one of those people. He has a passion for the horses and the work. Employees like Ron add to the success of the stable."
Being with animals and loving them has always come very naturally to Ron and now horses have become a big pull in his life. Even better - now he earns a paycheck taking care of them.
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