Volunteers are the heart of High Hopes. Without their hard work and dedication, our mission — to bring the extraordinary benefits of therapeutic riding and equine activities to a wide range of individuals—would be no more than words on paper.

Our therapeutic riding program operates year-round, six days a week from morning until evening. Our staff and volunteers work together, forming a vital team that is essential to our ongoing success. Individual reasons for volunteering may differ, but giving of oneself and forming special connections with people and horses create a common bond with everyone involved in our program. Our volunteer needs are many. Whether your experience with horses is life-long or minimal, your willingness to give yourself and your time is what we need.

Attending a General Orientation and Training Session is required prior to volunteering.  The training session begins in the classroom with an overview of High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, who we serve, our horses, and our policies and proceedures.  After a tour of the facility, we head into the stable and demonstrate how horses are groomed and tacked.  An opportunity to practice hands on sidewalking is then provided to prepare new volunteers to begin assisting in the program.  For those with horse experience interested in becoming horse leaders, additional training opportunities will be available to learn and practice our leading techniques.  There are also many other volunteer opportunities as indicated below.

• Lesson Program – Volunteers assist by leading horses or walking beside riders (sidewalking) during classes. Horse leaders come with an understanding of, and experience with horses.  Horse leaders assist in preparing horses for classes (groom and tack), and are responsible for leading horses during class. Sidewalkers do not need experience. They are responsible for offering physical and emotional support. Lesson program volunteers should be willing to commit to coming the same day and time each week and are required to attend a general volunteer orientation and training session.
  
• Carriage Driving Program - Volunteers attend a general volunteer orientation and training session, then attend a training session with the driving instructor. Driving volunteers include horse handlers and able- bodied whips.
• Equine Learning Coach - Assist staff in teaching unmounted horsemanship skills such as grooming and horse care.  Additional training is provided.
  
• Equine Program – Volunteers work directly with barn staff to help feed and care for the horses and the facility. After 50 volunteer hours, they are eligible to become "Barn Buddies" and provide TLC to a special horse. Volunteers in the equine program should be willing to commit to a specified, consistent period of time each week and must first attend a general volunteer orientation and training session.
  
• Office - Volunteers assist with word processing, data entry, photocopying, bulk mailings and other support tasks. They also serve as receptionists and help answer phone calls.
  
• Facility/Farm– Volunteers help with general maintenance, repairs and improvements of the facility, including fencing.
  
• Special Events – Volunteers serve on event committees and assist with production during the various fundraisers and special events that High Hopes holds each year.
  
• Special Skills – Volunteers who possess skills or professional/technical experience that may benefit High Hopes, such as photography, graphic design, computer knowledge, etc., are encouraged to contact us.
  

No matter what your skills or special talents may be, there’s a place and a need for them at High Hopes.  CLICK HERE to read "Becoming a Volunteer."