Volunteer Opportunities
Great and Small would not be successful without the help of our wonderful volunteers! We are always searching for more helping hands for various activities including working with our program participants, general barn chores, schooling the horses (experienced riders only), and participating in committees/special events. Please review the volunteer opportunities below and complete a Volunteer Application.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
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Upcoming Volunteer Orientations:
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2024 New Volunteer Orientations
Saturday, April 27th 2-4pm
Saturday, June 1st 2-4pm
Note: Orientation attendance requires submission of Volunteer Application and an RSVP.
(RSVP required; space is limited to 10 people):
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Leader Training/Horse Practices:
None currently scheduled. Please check back!
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RSVP to: Rachel Doyle, Volunteer Manager
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Program Volunteers
Program volunteers are a vital part of the therapy team. They prepare the horse for the lesson, assist the instructor in the lesson by leading the horse or sidewalking with the rider, and care for the horse after the lesson concludes. Program volunteers commit to a specific lesson or lessons for the duration of an eight-week session, which allows the same team of horse, rider, instructor, and volunteers to work together to achieve the rider's goals. All program volunteers must be at least 14 years of age and must participate in a volunteer training session.​
Barn Volunteers
Barn volunteers keep Great and Small running smoothly and looking fabulous. Working with the farm manager, a barn volunteer's duties may include mucking stalls, scrubbing water buckets, cleaning tack, sweeping, raking, etc. We welcome weekly barn volunteers on a limited basis. This opportunity is also open to school and community groups. Barn volunteers must be at least 14 years of age.
Facility Volunteers
Facility volunteers help keep our farm in good condition to run our programs successfully! Facility volunteers help weed whack, paint, and execute special projects on the farm. This opportunity is also open to school and community groups. Barn volunteers must be at least 14 years of age.
Special Events & Committees
We need volunteers to help organize and execute fundraising events, community outreach, and more. This is a great opportunity for those who want to get involved but may not want to work directly with our horses, as well as those with scheduling challenges that make a weekly commitment difficult.
How to Apply
If you would like to become a volunteer in any capacity, please complete our Volunteer Application.
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If you would like more information on any of these volunteer opportunities, please e-mail Rachel, Volunteer Manager, at RDoyle@greatandsmallride.org
Volunteer Scheduling
Are you a current volunteer that has been through our volunteer orientation and are ready to schedule your volunteer hours? If so, click here.
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Great and Small has one or two openings each year for individuals wishing to complete the requirements for certifications as a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. We have several trained Mentor Instructors on our staff.
Prerequisite Skills: Strong basic riding and horsemanship skills as outlined in PATH Intl. CTRI Criteria Booklet. Prior teaching experience, experience working with individuals with disabilities and/or volunteering in a therapeutic riding program are strongly preferred. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as a strong desire to learn and to be a positive team member.
Typically, we frame our mentoring program around an Instructor in Training Internship, which entails completing a specified number of volunteer hours for Great and Small before mentoring begins and/or simultaneously with mentored teaching.
To Apply: Please send a letter of interest and resume to Lisa Gatons, Program Director, at lgatons@greatandsmallride.org.
Mentoring towards PATH Intl. Instructor Certification