TRAINING NOW AVAILABLE FOR NEW & RETURNING VOLUNTEERS!
Monday, April 22, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 pm
We offer our new and returning volunteers an in person opportunity to either learn how to become a volunteer or refresh your skills. In addition, is a link below to watch the video and learn what it takes to be a volunteer for the therapeutic riding program!
Link: https://vimeo.com/402406838
The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Volunteer Application (Download)
This application includes a release form that needs to be notarized.
At the BTRC, volunteers truly make the world go round. We serve anywhere from 40 to 50 riders each week. Each of those riders requires one to three volunteers – so clearly, we really rely on the hard work and dedication of our volunteers!
The BTRC's volunteers provide invaluable help in a broad range of areas each year. We train volunteers to groom and tack horses, lead horses, and walk along-side participants, helping to support and stabilize them. Descriptions of these specific responsibilities can be found below. Volunteers also participate in caring for our horses; maintaining our facility; helping with numerous administrative tasks; and assisting with special events and fundraisers.
BTRC volunteers can learn about disabilities, develop or hone horse handling skills and learn about the power of the human-animal bond. We also offer the opportunity to increase physical fitness and to enjoy the social benefits of volunteering.
When you volunteer at the BTRC you have the opportunity to become an important part of the lives of our phenomenal riders. For many of our riders, their time with their volunteers and their horse is the most significant part of their week. By volunteering with us you are helping to ensure that our riders will continue to benefit from the life enriching power and potential of therapeutic riding.
The BTRC offers site visits and training for new program volunteers throughout the year. An online training video for new and returning volunteers can be found below. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the volunteer application, found at the top of the page, and email or phone us to learn the next steps.
Our sessions run from 3:30pm until about 7:30 pm on Mondays, depending on the sessions. Typically we have volunteers who commit to a 2 or 3 hour shift each week. This way, they are interacting with the same students every week.
All volunteers must be at least 15 years of age.
Leader:
- Responsible for tacking up horse.
- Responsible for the horse and may only assist rider if there is no sidewalker.
- Must be able to effectively lead horse in the riding and keep at a safe distance when there are other horses in the ring.
- Communicate with instructor and follow instruction given.
- Must show endurance and strength.
- Must be reliable and available at regular scheduled times.
Sidewalker:
- Responsible for the rider.
- Pay attention to rider during lesson and give verbal cue to instructor and leader if there is a problem.
- Offer physical help if needed by rider.
- Assist rider with commands given by instructor.
- Encourage independent riding, taking into account the individual abilities and safety of the rider.
If you have any questions about volunteering, please email us at becandbtrc@aol.com
