Interested in serving with the equine therapy program at Joy Meadows in 2024?

We are doubling our offerings of equine-related services this season and NEED volunteers as horse handlers and sidewalkers! Equine Sessions are offered to children on Tuesdays and Thursdays in April-October. 

A 2-hour training is required for all volunteers who will help with equine therapy (i.e., hippotherapy) at Joy Meadows. During the Equine Volunteer Training, volunteers will:

• Meet the leaders of the program and learn the format

• Understand the volunteer roles (What does a sidewalker and horse handler do?)

• Learn the effects of trauma on the body

• Receive an overview of trauma-related behaviors

• View the barn layout, tools, and supplies

• Acquire horse safety tips

• Participate in hands-on training for all roles

Who can be a Side Walker? Anyone over 16 who is comfortable around horses, can assist the therapist with different activities throughout the hippotherapy session, and can help stabilize the rider through different holds and positions. 

Who can be a Horse Handler? Anyone over 16 who can groom and tack the horse properly before the child/client rides, lead the horse safely through the different activities directed by the therapist, and untack the horse and put it away, and has equine experience.