Mental Health Horse Handler Volunteer

Open Opportunity

About

To apply to volunteer: Fill out the contact information questions by clicking 'Register', and an email with your next steps will be sent to you. Looking forward to meeting you!




StableStrides has been providing equine therapy to the community since 1981! We are a premier accredited program through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (www.pathintl.org) ensuring safety and quality services. StableStrides is currently seeking volunteer horse handlers to assist in our Mental Health Therapy sessions offered at the Norris-Penrose Event Center on Tuesdays - Saturdays between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Volunteers must be 18 years or older.

ABOUT EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY:
Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) is a form of experiential psychotherapy that includes horses. This includes a number of mutually beneficial equine activities such as handling, grooming, and lunging.

Volunteers are needed to maintain a safe and supportive environment by safely handling the horse, observing and giving feedback on horse behaviors, and sharing observations with the therapist about how clients and the horses interact. We work with active duty service members, veterans, and civilians.

VOLUNTEER QUALIFICATIONS:

Solid horse handling skills (training available)
Ability to confidently direct clients safely around the horses
Excellent communication skills
Commitment to at least 2 months of programming
18 years or older

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING AT STABLESTRIDES:

A chance to change lives through the amazing attributes of the horse
Working with the incredible animals that make up the StableStrides herd
Reduced fee riding lessons
Looks great on resumes and college applications
Requirement Details
Wondering if you should register to volunteer? Based on the CDC guidelines, we are asking you the following questions:
  1. Have you been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19? See the CDC’s risk assessment guidance.

  2. Do you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19? Symptoms can include a cough or shortness of breath or at least two of the following: Fever, Chills, Repeated shaking with chills, Muscle pain, Headache, Sore throat, New loss of taste or smell. See the CDC’s symptom information.

If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, we ask you not to register. We are doing all we can to align with best practices and keep our community healthy.