Volunteers
Happy Trails Riding Academy is a non-profit program that enriches the lives of children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities through equine facilitated therapy.
2773 E. Oakdale Avenue
Tulare
559.688.8685
www.WeAreHappyTrails.com
Volunteers are an important part of everything that takes place at Happy Trails Riding Academy.
Volunteer Information
Volunteer training at Happy Trails is designed to teach skills you need to have about providing support to our riders with disabilities, as well as, how to tack (saddle) and groom our horses. On-going training will cover volunteer procedures, an overview of therapeutic riding, and working with the disabled. The training program will also provide hands on experience in assisting with mounting, sidewalking, leading, grooming and tacking our special therapy horses. Barn attire, and comfortable close-toe shoes, is the order of the day.
The staff and riders could not engage in this beneficial work without you. Your enthusiasm, encouragement and hard work are the driving force behind the programs at Happy Trails.
Contact us for information about the next volunteer orientation.
**Minimum age to volunteer is 14 years old.
Volunteer of the Year 2006
Rachel
Sutton, age 15, is this year’s recipient of the “Trail Blazer”
award, in essence our Volunteer of the Year. She is the
youngest volunteer to ever receive this honor and we are honored
to have her as an integral part of our program.
Rachel has logged more hours than any other volunteer this year. She has helped in areas as leader, side walker, conditioning of horses and assisting in training of new horses, helped in vaulting classes, prepped horses for the horse show and volunteered at the Cal Net Horse Show.
We have many exceptional volunteers that all deserve awards and Rachel is a great representative of their hard work, with her dedication, positive attitude, safe and confident manner. She also has a unique stress reducing technique for horses and instructors alike. Many thanks to Rachel; it’s been a great ride!
Volunteers are an important part of any Happy Trails activity. Without the extra sets of hands to help riders sit tall in the saddle, and guide their horses, it would be difficult to operate Happy Trails Riding Academy.
Volunteering provides:
v A service that results in joy and growth for people with disabilities
v Intangible rewards in the smiles, enthusiasm and success for everyone involved
v An outdoor activity
v An expanded circle of friends
v A chance to help others
What jobs are volunteers asked to do?
v Act as a side-walker for mounted participants in the arena
v After training, lead horses during a riding lesson or therapy session
v Prepare and tack horses for lessons
v Clean tack
v Barn maintenance
v Perform clerical work in the office
Volunteer Training
v A volunteer training session consists of:
v Orientation to our facility, our programs and equine assisted activities in general
v Volunteer responsibilities
v Safety rules and regulations
v Confidentiality issues
v Emergency procedures
v Introduction to types of disabilities seen in the program
As a Happy Trails volunteer your role is to be a helpful presence and to support the staff in whatever you are asked. Over time you will develop friendships with our participants of all ages. This is a wonderful part of being a Happy Trails’ volunteer, as it allows you to become a part of the lives of a variety of people and lets you share your personal skills and talents.
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