We are looking for volunteers to assist in our client’s therapy treatments and adaptive riding lessons.
Potential volunteers must complete a one-hour orientation and attend and pass a sidewalking class. No horse experience is necessary! We will teach you everything you need to know to help us serve our clients.
Being a volunteer means joining a team. The team consists of volunteers, an instructor and/or therapist, the rider and the horse. The volunteer’s responsibility as a team member is to listen to and support the instructor while assisting the rider. The instructor’s role as a team member is “team captain” with the ultimate responsibility for everyone on the team, including the horse.
- Sidewalker
- Horse leader
- Barn support
Sidewalker
The main role of the sidewalker is the safety and support of the client. Additionally, the sidewalker assists the therapist/instructor to create an enjoyable and safe experience for the rider. The sidewalker must maintain a position alongside the horse’s girth area while occasionally giving physical security to the rider with one of several sidewalker holds.
Horse Leader
The primary responsibility of the leader is to control the horse. They learn “The Shea Way” to lead our horses at the walk and trot. In order to become a leader, grooming, tacking, bridling and leading classes must be taken and passed.
Barn Support
The main role of the barn support volunteer is to assist with barn chores, clean saddles, sweep crossties, and pull/put tack away. These are just some of the responsibilities of this position.
To learn more about becoming a Shea Center volunteer, please visit SheaCenter.org/volunteer
We hope you join us!
