Healing Hoof Steps Volunteer Application Packet

Volunteers at Healing Hoof Steps acknowledge that they, or their immediate family may not enter into a clinical relationship for mental health services with any clinician at Healing Hoof Steps. Should a volunteer request mental health services for themselves or immediate family members, Healing Hoof Steps will refer the volunteer to another local therapist.

Important to remember – Please CALL or TEXT the Volunteer Coordinator at 850-736-4110 if you cannot make your shift as many of the students depend on a horse handler and/or side-walkers so they can ride safely. We appreciate this courtesy so that we can find necessary replacements and ensure our riders are able to participate.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE INFORMATION NOT OTHERWISE FOUND WITHIN THE BACKGROUND CHECK

I, the undersigned, authorize and consent to any person, firm, organization or corporation provide a copy (including photocopy or facsimile copy) of the Authorization for Release Information by the above stated agency to release and
disclose to such agency any and all information or records requested regarding me, including, but not necessarily limited to, my employment records, volunteer experience, military records, criminal information records (if any), and
background. I have authorized this information to be released to Healing Hoof Steps, either in writing or via the telephone, in connection with my application for employment or to be a volunteer at the program. Any person, firm, organization or corporation providing information or records in accordance with this authorization is released from any and all claims or liability for compliance. Such information will be held in confidence in accordance with program guidelines.

BACKGROUND CHECKS
Our program screens all prospective volunteers to evaluate whether an applicant poses a risk or harm to the children, youth, and adults we serve. Information obtained is not an automatic disqualification to becoming a volunteer but is
considered in view of all relevant circumstances. This disclosure is required to be completed in full by all those who wish to be considered part of HEALING HOOF STEPS. Any falsification, misrepresentation, or incompleteness in this
disclosure alone is grounds for disqualification or termination.

Any offense or conviction related to causing harm or death to an adult, child, or animal is an automatic disqualification.

Healing Hoof Steps requires all staff and volunteers 18 years and older to complete and pass a thorough background screening prior to engaging in any client/participant related activities on property. Healing Hoof Steps utilizes Sterling Volunteers to perform background checks for our program.  The background check fee is the responsibility of the potential volunteer. Refunds will not be accepted whether the potential volunteer does or does not pass the screening. The fee of $19 will be paid on the Sterling Volunteers website at the time of application.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PHOTO RELEASE
I agree that as a HEALING HOOF STEPS volunteer, I will respect the privacy of participants, volunteers and all those involved and hold in confidence all information obtained during my volunteer service. I recognize that confidentiality and
privacy requirements apply to everyone. I also respect and understand that all photos of participants are prohibited. As a volunteer, I hereby consent to and authorize the use and reproduction by HEALING HOOF STEPS of any photographs
and any other audio-visual material taken of me for promotional material, educational activities, exhibitions, fund raising, or for any other use which may benefit the program.

AUTHORIZATION FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT
In the event emergency medical aid/treatment is required due to illness or injury, during the process of receiving services, or while being on the property of the agency, I authorize Healing Hoof Steps to secure and maintain medical treatment
and transportation, if needed and incur expenses for which I will be responsible for payment.

In consideration of the services of HEALING HOOF STEPS CORP, its managing partners, board members, employees,
representatives, agents and associates (hereinafter referred to as “HHS”), I hereby agree to release, indemnify, and
discharge HHS, on behalf of myself, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representative and estate as
follows:
1. I acknowledge that horseback riding, caring for horses, and all therapeutic and learning/ self-discovery and/orpsychotherapeutic activities involving horses entail known and unanticipated risks which could result in physical or
emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to me, to property or to third parties. I understand that such risks simplycannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the activity.The risks include, among other things: loss of control, collisions; horses, irrespective of their previous behavior and characteristics, may act or react unpredictably based upon instinct, fright, or lack of proper control by rider orhandler, latent or apparent defects or conditions in equipment, animals or property, acts of other students in this
activity, adverse weather conditions; contact with plants, insects, or animals; my own physical conditions or my own acts or omissions; the conditions of remote roads, trails, waterways, or terrain, and accidents connected with their use; first-aid, emergency treatment or other services rendered; consumption of food and drink. Furthermore, HHS seeks safety, but they are not infallible. They might be unaware of a student’s fitness or abilities. They might misjudge weather, the elements or the terrain. They may give adequate warnings or instructions and the
equipment being used might malfunction.
2. I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in this activity. My or my child
participation in this activity is purely voluntary and elects to participation in spite of the risks.
3. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless HHS from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my or my child’s participation in this activity or my or
my child’s use of HHS equipment or facilities, including any such claims which allege negligent acts or omissions of HHS.
4. Should HHS or anyone acting on their behalf be required to incur attorney’s fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.
5. I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage I or my child may cause or suffer while participating or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself. I further certify that I nor my child have no
medical or physical conditions, which could interfere with my safety in this activity, or else I am willing to assume-and bear the cost of-all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition.
6. In the event that I file a lawsuit against HHS, I agree to do so solely in the state of Florida, and I further agree that the substantive law of that state shall apply in that action without regard to the “conflict of laws” rules of that state. I agree
that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining portion shall remain in full force and effect.

By signing this document, I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my or my child’s participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my or my child’s right to maintain a lawsuit against HHS on the basis of any claim from any claim from which I have released them herein.

EQUINE WARNING:
Under Florida Law, an equine activity sponsor or equine professional is not liable for an injury to, or the death of, a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities. I have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document. I have read and understood it, and I agree to be bound by its terms.