Volunteer
Volunteering at JoyRide Center is a rewarding and fun experience! Share in the joys of equine-assisted services by helping people with special abilities in your community today.
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Please view JoyRide Center’s Volunteer Manual and complete the Volunteer Registration & Release Forms and the Commitment Sheet. The forms may be emailed to volunteer@joyridecenter.org, brought with you to Volunteer Training or mailed to the JoyRide mailing address.
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
Sidewalkers:
These volunteers walk beside our clients as they ride to assist with balance and to reinforce the instructor’s directions. Sidewalkers are directly responsible for the client and are those who normally get the most hands-on duties during our horsemanship and physical therapy sessions. As such, they have the capability to greatly enhance the quality of a lesson. The sidewalker’s job is to help the instructor challenge the client to stretch, grow and develop to his or her fullest potential. No experience working with horses needed.
Horse Handlers:
These volunteers are directly responsible for the horse. The horse handler must also be aware of the client, instructor, sidewalkers and any potential hazards in or around the arena. A good handler can provide real therapeutic input to the clients, as well as make it safe for them to have an enjoyable riding experience. Prior horse experience is necessary. Volunteers will work with the horses from the ground, not be asked to ride.
Other Areas:
Help is also needed in various areas: administrative, computer/IT, fundraising, carpentry, gardening, etc. Whether it's through corporate work days, high school or university groups, contact our Volunteer Coordinator to see how you can get involved.
What are the requirements to be a JoyRide volunteer?
Arena volunteers must be at least 14-years-old and physically able to walk for an entire lesson, jog for short distances and support a modest weight. Regular attendance is vital to our program. Attending a Training session is also required.
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What kind of commitment is required?
Arena volunteers can volunteer for as little as 1 hour per week or as much as desired. JoyRide has 15-16 week fall and spring semesters and a 7 week summer semester. We’d love to have as much support as you can give during the semesters by signing up for one of our different levels of commitment:
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Regular Volunteer – a volunteer who can commit to volunteer one full semester. Most people volunteer for 2-3 hours, one day a week. However, you may volunteer for as little as one hour per week up to as many days and hours as you wish based on the needs of the schedule.
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Substitute Volunteer – a volunteer who will be asked on an as needed basis to fill in for regulars who are unable to volunteer at their assigned time. You may sign up as a regular volunteer or team volunteer AND still be a substitute on other days or times. You will receive an email each week (as necessary) listing volunteer needs for the following week. Just RSVP to the email if you are available to sub at any of the listed days and times.
How do I sign-up to become a JoyRide volunteer?
JoyRide offers classes Tuesday through Friday in the mornings and afternoons, and Tuesday & Thursday evenings. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@joyridecenter.org.