Volunteers

Volunteers are essential to keeping the costs to the families down.

Volunteers should be at least 15 years old. Younger volunteers may be considered with parent involvement or if they have horse experience. All volunteers must go through the training program provided by the center. Jobs may include but are not limited to the following:

Horse Handler:
A person with horse experience.

The job includes the following:

• Prepare the horse for the therapy session by grooming, tacking and warming up
• Maintain control of the horse during the transition on and off the horse
• Maintain control of the horse during the treatment session

Side walkers:
Each session requires one or two side walkers.

The role of the side walker may be to assist with:

• Client preparation – putting helmet on
• Transitioning on and off the horse
• Maintaining client position on the horse at the direction of the therapist
• Assisting the client with the tasks at the direction of the therapist
• Ensuring client safety
• Obtaining or handling equipment needed by the therapist during the session