Ride for Joy simply could not exist without the help of Our wonderful volunteers!
Current Volunteers
Sign up for shifts, view your schedule, update your profile and report service hours with your VICNET account.
Volunteer Roles
At Ride for Joy, volunteers are a vital part of the team. They help to ensure participant safety, serve as mentors, and help participants accomplish their goals during the lessons. In the arena, side walkers and horse leaders work under the direct supervision of a PATH Intl. Certified instructor.
While some of our participants ride independently, many benefit from the support of volunteers who work closely with RFJ staff to provide fun, safe, and effective equine-assisted services.
Side Walkers walk alongside the horse, providing riders with physical and emotional support. No experience required. Ride for Joy provides the training.
Horse Leaders guide the horse with a lead rope while the rider practices their skills and works towards independent riding. Horse Leaders must possess proficient horsemanship skills and knowledge of equine communication and behavior. They must be able to effectively and kindly direct horses to walk, trot, turn, stop, and back up while on lead. They must also be able to confidently handle a horse that spooks and react appropriately in challenging or emergency situations. Volunteers must complete a minimum of 8 hours as Side Walkers before taking the Horse Leader training.
Eligibility
Availability on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays from 10:00am-4:00pm in the summer and/or 11:00am-6:00pm in the spring, fall, and winter. RFJ only operates these two days, except for occasional special events.
Ability to independently complete required forms, schedule online and report volunteer hours.
Ability to attend orientations and trainings.
Ability to follow directions, communicate clearly, and focus attention in the present.
Reliable roundtrip transportation.
Physically able to walk and jog on an uneven, sandy surface for 45 minutes.
Cognitively and physically able to react quickly in an emergency.
16 years or older.
Other Considerations
Current RFJ Adaptive Riding and Barn Pals participants, or those who have participated in the past year, are not eligible for horse leader and side walker roles.
Ride for Joy is not able to accept court ordered community service participants.
Time Commitment
Attend a one hour orientation and tour.
Observe one 40-minute lesson.
Attend a two hour side walker training and, if qualified, attend a two hour horse leader training.
Volunteers are recommended to commit a minimum of one hour a week for a full session (typically 8 weeks).
HOW TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER:
Complete these forms:
Complete a background check (watch for an email from RFJ with instructions).
A staff member will be in touch to schedule an orientation. Orientations last approximately one hour.
Complete required observation & trainings. Side Walker and Horse Leader trainings are typically held in February, May, August, and December. Please check the RFJ Calendar for specific dates.
JUNIOR VOLUNTEERS (16-17 Years Old)
Complete these forms:
Waiver & Release Form (Completed by the Junior Volunteer’s parent/guardian)
The Volunteer Coordinator will follow up to schedule an interview and orientation. The parent/guardian is required to attend the orientation. Orientations last approximately one hour.
Pass a background check (Completed by parent/guardian. No background check required for junior volunteers.)
Complete required observation & training. The Junior Volunteer’s parent/guardian is required to attend the required trainings. Trainings last about 1.5-2 hours each.
Junior volunteers may serve independently at lessons with staff approval. Juniors may not be dropped off to volunteer without approval from staff.
Juniors volunteers with previous extensive equine experience may qualify to be horse leaders.
QUESTIONS?
Contact us at info@rideforjoy.org or call (208) 454-8894.