Volunteering
We all seem to lead such busy lives...it can be difficult to set aside time for other commitments. If you would like to do something where you can truly make a difference in someone's life, we'd like you to consider joining our volunteer family. In addition to the satisfaction and joy of helping others, our volunteers find benefits in many other ways as well. They gain job skills and experience, get a better understanding of individuals with developmental disabilities, build self-confidence, make new friends and HAVE FUN!What do volunteers do?
Volunteers assist in a variety of ways: Feeding, leading horses during lessons, sidewalking (walking alongside the horse to offer the rider support when needed), grooming horses, tacking up horses, cooling out horses, cleaning tack, horse care, helping with fundraisers, assisting with administrative duties, planning of special events, and anything else that needs doing!
Click here to see a list of volunteer areas and descriptions.
How can I volunteer?
Volunteers truly are the heart and soul of a therapeutic riding program. Anyone who has the desire to help, love, and have a wonderful time is welcome; however, you must be at least 14 to work directly with our riders. No previous experience is necessary. We do require all volunteers to go through an Orientation Safety Training before they can begin volunteering. In these trainings you are taught everything you need to know about volunteering in our program.
What is involved in the training?
To assist in providing the safest environment possible for everyone involved with our program, new volunteers are required to attend a Volunteer Orientation Safety Training. These are generally held on a Saturday and last approximately 2½ hours. New volunteers are provided with:
- an introduction and orientation to the facility;
- an overview of the field of equine assisted activities and therapies and the population the program serves;
- hands-on training in the various volunteer roles and their responsibilities; and
- a review of the general rules and regulations regarding all aspects of the program.
Click here to see when our next Volunteer Training will be held.
Do I have to have experience with horses?
Though experience with horses is not necessary, it is important that volunteers are not afraid of horses. More importantly, it is critical that volunteers are willing to learn about horses and are committed to following the safety guidelines we set forth.
Is there a certain time commitment required?
We try very hard to create a safe physical and emotional atmosphere at LifeSpan Farm - TRC. One of the ways we do this is to make a strong effort to assign the same volunteers to work with a rider each week. For this reason, we ask each of our volunteers to commit to the same day and time each week for a minimum of two riding sessions (6 weeks) and, of course, we would like you to be with us as much and as long as you are able. Volunteers need to be able to commit to at least one hour per week and, ideally, for two riding sessions or about three months depending on the area of volunteering.
Please click here to download and print off our Volunteer Packet. Or you can send us an email at jfrey@lifespanservices.org or call us at 704.393.0333 for us to mail you a packet. Once your packet is completed, please mail to our program at:
LifeSpan Farm – TRC
3701 Kidd Lane
Charlotte, NC 28216
