Volunteer Your Time
Imagine helping a child or adult in your community as he or she takes a first step, speaks for the first time, or laughs with joy. Now imagine doing this in the company of horses! Volunteering at Chariot Riders might be the best thing you have ever done for yourself and for the special riders at Chariot Riders Therapeutic Academy.
Chariot Riders’ mission goes beyond helping people learn to ride horses; we help people experience success. We work with children and adults who often face serious physical, emotional, or social challenges, and we help them to discover their own strength, beauty, and talent. We love our work at Chariot Riders, and we cannot do it without your help! As a volunteer, you will become a vital part of the program, working directly with horses, riders, Chariot Riders staff, and other volunteers. You will share in the large and small triumphs of our riders as they experience “the miracle in the movement” of therapeutic riding.
How You Can Help
Horse Leaders: Learn leading skills, and have complete care of the horse during a therapy session.
Side Walkers: Help to support the riders, and assist the therapist and/or riding instructor with the special needs of each rider.
Grooms: Groom and tack horses before classes, untack and cool them off after classes.
Office Volunteers: Assist with all types of clerical work, according to your own skills.
Special Events Volunteers: Help organize and run special events and fundraisers.
Volunteer Requirements
Volunteers must be 13 years of age or older and should be in reasonably good health. If you wish to work in the ring, a fair amount of walking, and sometimes running is required. Volunteers may be asked to groom, tack, untack and bathe horses, as well as clean stalls, and sweep barn aisles.
You will be asked to fill out an application, and give us one character reference. Previous horse knowledge is appreciated, but not required.
Once you become a volunteer, you will be expected to arrive 1/2 hour before your assigned program, and to stay 1/2 hour after the program to help with the assessment of the riders.
Volunteer Training
All volunteers who wish to work in programming are required to attend training sessions, which are typically held on the first Saturday of the month from 9am to 12 noon.
Discover and fulfill your potential through the way of the horse. This manual will start you on the right path with the information and tools you will need to be an effective and productive volunteer.
Download the Volunteer Handbook
For information regarding volunteering or to schedule for the volunteer class, contact us today!
We welcome you, and thank you for helping us continue to succeed!