Volunteer
Volunteers are an integral part of the VTRA team. Volunteering with VTRA provides a fun opportunity to support participants in their equine activities, gain new skills, and develop lifelong friendships.
What Can Volunteers Do?
Horse Handlers are volunteers that lead the horse during adaptive riding and driving classes, assisting the participant to navigate riding tasks and obstacles and further their skills.
Training requirements:
-
Horse Handlers must pass an evaluation done by one of our certified instructors.
-
Horse Handlers should have substantial previous horse experience and should feel comfortable with all skills listed on the evaluation form.
Additional requirements:
-
Clear criminal record check
-
Previous horse experience
-
Minimum 16 years of age
Horse Handler
Sidewalkers are volunteers who walk alongside the participants during their adaptive riding or driving class, offering physical, cognitive, or emotional support as needed.
Training requirements:
-
Sidewalkers must complete a sidewalker training course. No prior horse experience is needed.
Additional requirements:
-
Clear criminal background check.
-
Minimum 16 years of age.
Sidewalker
.jpg)
Grooms are volunteers who groom and tack up horses in preparation for their next lesson, and assist with other needed barn and facility tasks.
Training requirements:
-
Grooms must pass an evaluation done by one of our certified instructors.
-
Grooms should have substantial previous horse experience and should feel comfortable with all skills listed on the evaluation form.
Additional requirements:
-
Clear criminal record check
-
Prior horse experience
-
Minimum 16 years of age
Groom
Assistant instructors (AIs) are volunteers who support the instructor in delivering the lesson content and support the riders in improving their skills. AIs also help ensure lessons are safe and fun, support other volunteers, and manage tack change.
Training requirements:
-
Assistant Instructor must take Sidewalker Training, must take and pass Horse Handler training, and complete an Assistant Instructor training.
Additional requirements:
-
Clear criminal record
-
Prior horse experience
-
Minimum 16 years of age
-
Experience in another role in the program is an asset
Assistant Instructor
Stable Management Volunteers are volunteers who support the instructor in delivering stable management content, ensuring lessons are safe and fun.
Training requirements:
-
None needed. Sidewalker and horse handler training are very beneficial.
Additional requirements:
-
Clear criminal record check
-
Minimum 16 years of age
Stable Management
Groups can reach out to VTRA for opportunities to assist with facility maintenance or other projects that need to be done around the farm.
VTRA also hosts and attends a number of events throughout the year. Volunteers are always needed to help set up, represent the organization, and take down.
Work Parties and Events
Frequently Asked Questions
"Volunteering with the VTRA has been one of the most rewarding and satisfying endeavours I’ve undertaken. Although you would assume that volunteering benefits the kids that are riding, I think the benefits to the volunteers themselves are just as important. There is such a positive and friendly attitude at VTRA, the staff are so welcoming and patient. Being involved can lift spirits and shine a bright light on your day. To see the joy in the face of the kids riding and to be able to have close contact with the horses is the best cure for whatever ails you. Volunteering for VTRA is my weekly positive mental health break!"
“As a volunteer, I really enjoy seeing the riders gain confidence with themselves and the horse as the term progresses. It is very rewarding to support an organization that has such positive impacts on its participants.”
“VTRA is a godsend to the lives of not only our students, but their families and friends alike. To see the joy in the face of a student who normally shows no expression, or the “WooHoo!” from a young man at the end of the lesson who is so very proud of himself is so precious. As a volunteer, there is nothing more rewarding than being a part of the magic between the horse and the student. Life is Good!”
VTRA is grateful to the Government of Canada's Community Services Recovery Fund for supporting the growth of our Volunteer Program!
