ABOUT VOLUNTEERING & WHO WE SERVE
It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert horse person, trained therapist, or novice volunteer. If you are open and willing to learn new things, and conduct yourself with respect for people and horses, then you will make a significant contribution, not to mention, take away a variety of important skills.
HHS volunteers must be at least 14 years old and are expected to attend an in-person Volunteer Training/orientation session. All volunteers should possess a positive attitude toward working with and around persons with disabilities and be open to serving in a variety of roles.
Volunteers should be able to walk and sometimes jog over uneven ground for up to 30 minutes and/or keep one arm at or above shoulder height for a reasonable about of time. Each volunteer must have adequate body size, strength and experience for the assigned task.
We promote a culture of ongoing learning so volunteers will undergo regular assessments for all roles and responsibilities and should not hesitate to ask questions. They should not perform a role you have not been trained to perform. If you are not comfortable with an assignment, feel free to discuss those concerns with the instructor or Volunteer Coordinator.
Responsibilities/Duties
When volunteering in the mounted activities (a.k.a. riding lessons), you
could fulfill one of two roles: a Sidewalker or a Horse Handler (discussed in greater detail later in this guide).
Volunteers assist participants with grooming, tacking and preparing horses for class. Volunteers will be asked to help in getting horses ready for lessons, a variety of barn work and/or assisting with
special events or even other things like help in the office, fundraising projects or organizing of special events, or special projects.
Volunteers should abide by the safety guidelines, should be in good health, be physically active, mentally alert and focused, able to tolerate heat, cold, dust and wind, and work with instructors to carry out tasks. The lesson/activity time is very special for our participants so any unrelated conversations can distract from this experience and should be kept to a minimum; all attention should be on the task at hand.
Though we work in a barn, we like to promote a professional atmosphere, one that may be found in a
professional office or a classroom. Please keep this in mind when choosing what to wear to the barn or how you
speak and behave. Below are some general guidelines for all volunteers to assist with these responsibilities and
duties often carried out by everyone at the barn.
Working with a Special Needs Population
Working with people who have special needs may
be a new experience for some Volunteers. Please take time to know your participant and direct questions to the instructors. Often, a major barrier for people with special needs is not the disability itself, but the lack of awareness and knowledge by others. Above all, please treat individuals withrespect, being considerate and sensitive to their needs.
General Guidelines for Working with Individuals with Hearing or Language Impairments
In general, direct questions to your instructor. Getting to know the participant will allow you to become familiar with hand gestures or body positions the participant may use to communicate.Things to remember include: maintaining good eye contact, looking at the individual when speaking, speak
clearly without talking slowly or over-emphasizing words, and avoid long verbal instructions or conversations. During activities, help with communication when needed (i.e., visual cues, gestures, etc.). Alert the instructor
if the participant is having difficulty hearing instructions.