General Information

Dedicated people from all walks of life team up to give persons with special needs an opportunity to experience a sport, which can make a meaningful difference in their physical and mental well being. Though many volunteers find their way to Heaven's Gait individually, quite a few of our volunteers come from community organizations, schools, learning programs at colleges, and large corporations. The best case sceneario is to provide a long-term volunteer team for each rider, so both the riders and volunteers can benefit from continuity and establish a lasting relationship of trust with one another. Moreover, special volunteers will be able to share knowledge, guidance, patience, and love with the rider. A professional, safety-concious environment for the riders, volunteers, and horses is also of major importance to Heaven's Gait. Volunteers play a key role in achieving this goal.

As a volunteer, you will be part of a professional team. We also have a lot of fun! Therapeutic riding brings feelings of joy and accomplishment for all involved. The rewards, no matter how large or small, make your volunteer work very worthwhile. Without volunteers, it might be impossible to make this program a reality.

Volunteer training is an ongoing process. We hope that what you learn in the volunteer training session will be a good foundation for you to build upon as you spend time with Heaven's Gait Therapeutic Riding at Alpha Equestrian Center. There is definitely "on the job training" that comes with being a volunteer -- this training site is designed to serve as a reference after your orientation with the program. Volunteer duties, tips on working with horses and special needs people, as well as specific information about Heaven's Gait are included.

Benefits Of Our Programs

Horseback riding helps people with special needs achieve a quality of life that is enhanced and improved. Based on input from doctors, therapists, teachers, and parents, the student's individual goals are designed to complement ongoing therapy and education. The benefits of therapeutic horseback riding are threefold:

1. Physical: the three-dimensional motion of the horse provides the rider hip, back and core action that simulates natural walking. Riding relaxes and strenghtens muscles and improves body tone, posture, balance, joint mobility, and coordination.

2. Emotional: contact with horses and horsemanship training provides a non-competitive setting for learning. New abilities, self-discipline and improved concentration build self-confidence and emotional well-being. Participation in our programs can also foster a foundation of trust and emotional connection between both animals and humans alike.

3. Social: therapeutic riding nurtures a positive self-image. Riders may, for the first time in their lives, experience some independence and a sense of being part of a team. It is an opportunity for them to interact with other students and their team, building relationships that will further enhance their positive self-image.

Heaven's Gait serves children and adults with a variety of special needs. Instructors design and monitor individualized lesson plans for each student to address their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs while they learn skills of horseback riding. Individual and class goals encourage each rider to be the best he or she can be, on or off the horse.

Volunteer Opportunities

All individuals must complete Heaven's Gait volunteer training to be considered for any volunteer position. Additional training may be required for specific volunteer positions.

Side-walker is a person who walks beside the horse and offers stability to the rider. This person must be attentive to the rider and the instructor. Qualifications for a side-walker are:

• • Commitment to attend class each week for the duration of a session

  • Able to walk and periodically jog, for up to an hour on uneven surfaces

  • Able to hold your arm raised and out to the side for extended periods of time

  • Must have adequate vision and hearing to ensure the safety of horses and participants

  • Abel to work as part of a team and be flexible to changes

  • Comfortable working with individuals with disabilities, including physical contact

  • Minimum age of 14 years

  • Able to attend initial volunteer training and additional training throughout the year

Horse Leader is a person who is responsible for leading the horse and/or assisting the rider in controlling the horse. Qualifications for a Horse Leader are:

• • Horse experience -- volunteer should be knowledgeable and comfortable around a variety of horses and have experience working directly with horses or have attended a Leader Training session at Heaven's Gait.

  • Able to walk and periodically jog for up to an hour on uneven surfaces

  • Abel to work as a team and be flexible to changes

  • Minimum age of 14 years

  • Able to attend initial volunteer training and additional leader training throughout the year.

Floater is an extra person in a class who helps the instructor and fills in for other volunteers as needed. Qualifications are the same as for Side-walker and Horse Leader.

Barn Volunteer is a person who chooses to work in barn operations, such as grooming, tacking, warming up horses, cleaning and maintaining equipment, or performing general barn tasks such as picking stalls, watering horses, sweeping, etc. Qualifications for Barn Volunteer are:

• • Horse experience preferred, with knowledge of and comfort around a variety of horses, and with direct experience working with horses

  • Able to halter, lead, and cross-tie a horse

  • Abel to groom and tack a horse without direct supervision

  • Able to work as part of a team and be flexible to changes

  • Minimum age of 14 years

  • Ability to attend initial volunteer training and additional training throughout the year.

All volunteers must have on file with Heaven's Gait Therapeutic Riding a Release of Liability, and a Non-Disclosure Agreement, in addition to the Volunteer Application Form. These are all electronically signed documents which will be sent to your email address, if they haven't already been executed.

Volunteer Termination

Volunteering with Heaven's Gait Therapeutic Riding at Alpha Equestrian Center is a privilege. We appreciate all the skills, energy and commitment that volunteers bring to our program. Please understand that for the safety, security, and continuation of operational and therapeutic excellence, an inattentive volunteer, or one who cannot safely and fully perform the functions or duties of their assigned volunteer role will be either reassigned to a different volunteer role, or will be relieved of their volunteer position. Absolutely no volunteer who is intoxicated or chemically impaired will be allowed to volunteer with Heaven's Gait. If there is any question about this, Heaven's Gait staff will err on the side of caution, and will not permit the individual to complete their volunteer duties.