What Would We Do Without Them!
For the past 10 years, the hippotherapy program at Healing H’Arts (formerly Green Goose Acres) has had some amazing volunteer support.
We can’t continue doing what we do without them! Volunteers are trained to become side walkers and horse handlers for our equine-assisted activities and therapies programs. Side walkers help our clients by keeping them safe and knowing what to do in an emergency with the client. Side walkers love interacting with our clients and get to play games with them as well. Horse handlers keep our horses safe and know what to do for the horse in an emergency. These volunteers have had previous experience with horses and have a good understanding of horse behavior and horsemanship.
It is also a great place to complete field internships for college students. We have had OT students, psychology, and education majors join our team for a period of time to gain the hands-on experience that colleges and jobs are looking for. Email Kirsta to set up an experience like this!
We also accept volunteers who are interested in cleaning stalls, collecting shavings, grooming horses, and fundraising. These volunteers can start at the age of 12.
We like our volunteers to be at least 14 years old. People who are retired and wish to stay active make great volunteers. Healing H’Arts is a teaching facility. Volunteering is a great way for high school and college students to meet their community service requirements and learn valuable life lessons. With every 10 weeks a volunteer commits to our programs, a certificate of recognition is awarded. These are great for resumes. Volunteers come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities.
If you want to be a valued team member at Healing H’Arts, contact Kirsta Malone, occupational therapist (CEO) at kirstamalone40@gmail.com.
2022 UPDATE NEEDED!!!
When preparing the annual review this past January, one of the numbers is how many different volunteers we have had over the year and how many volunteer hours are given. Grand total of volunteers was 47!!! Hours logged= over 1,500. These are amazing numbers. How lucky are we that so many compassionate people share is our cause.