How To Volunteer
Our volunteers are the life blood of Lend A Hand equine therapy. Without their hard work and dedication, our mission - to bring the benefits of equine therapy to developmentally challenged individuals in a safe, friendly welcoming and relaxed environment - would be impossible.
Our therapeutic riding program operates year round, using both outside trails and a spacious indoor riding arena, depending on weather conditions. Individual reasons for volunteering may differ, but giving of oneself and forming special connections with people and horses creates a common bond with everyone involved in our program.
If you would like to make an invaluable contribution to a child's life, we have numerous options available to match your interests and skills with our needs.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Some of the areas in which we rely on volunteers are:
Lesson Program: All Lesson Program Volunteers should be able to commit to coming the same day and time each week. (What does a lesson program volunteer do?)
Side Walkers: Volunteers who side-walk do not need experience. They walk beside the horse during a lesson and offer any physical or emotional support requested by the Therapists. A general volunteer orientation and training session is required.
Horse Leaders: Volunteers who lead horses need a general knowledge of horses. They assist in grooming and tacking the horses for classes, and they also lead the horse during class as instructed by the Therapists. With enough experience and training, a side-walker may sometimes become a horse leader.
Equine Operational Program: Volunteers work directly with the Operations Staff to help feed and care for the horses and maintain the facility. Volunteers in the equine program should be willing to commit to a specified, consistent period of time each week and must first attend a general volunteer orientation and training session.
Facility/Farm: Volunteers are always needed to help with general maintenance, landscaping, repairs and improvements of the facility, including fencing.
Special Events: Volunteers serve on event committees and assist with production during the various fundraisers and special events that Lend A Hand sponsors each year. Events may be held at the farm or may be at an off-site location.
Special Skills: Volunteers who possess skills or professional/technical experience that may benefit Lend A Hand, such as photography, computer knowledge, office skills, or multi-media, are encouraged to contact us.
No matter what your skills or special talents may be, there's a place and a need for them at the Lend A Hand Therapeutic Riding Foundation. For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact Maureen Searle at info@lendahandri.org or telephone at (401) 826-9278.
