HOPE Therapeutic Riding Center is thrilled to be the recipient of a Phillips Heart Start portable defibrillator, which was donated recently by Whidbey General Hospital.

The life-saving machine was donated by the hospital thanks to a Health Resources and Services Administration grant received by the federal government. The grant will make it possible for the hospital to donate 52 defibrillators to organizations throughout Whidbey Island.

In conjunction with the donation, Robert May of the hospital’s Emergency Medical Team, provided CPR and defibrillator training to Karen Newman, Debbie Shirey and Melissa Jacobe of HOPE. Sandey Brandon of the Island County Fair also joined in the training.

Safety is a first priority at HOPE. The Langley nonprofit’s instructors are required to have CPR training and first aid cards, and to renew them annually.