Volunteers needed at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme

Find out about the wide range of volunteer opportunities that are open to you at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc in Old Lyme

About Volunteering
All volunteers must attend a General Orientation prior to volunteering.  The General Orientation begins in the classroom with an overview of High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, who we serve, our horses, and our policies and procedures.  It also includes a tour of the facility.  At the General Orientation, volunteers will choose a role(s) they are interested in and will be scheduled for additional training specific to that role. Roles may include sidewalker, horse leader (experience required), feeder, office volunteer, etc.

Sidewalker training includes more in-depth information about providing service to the High Hopes participants and an opportunity to practice hands-on sidewalking techniques that will prepare new volunteers to begin working with riders.

For those with horse experience interested in becoming horse leaders, additional training opportunities will be available to learn and practice our leading techniques.

About High Hopes
There is an oasis in Old Lyme, a place where people of all ages come together with a very special herd of therapeutic horses to improve lives of people with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities and you are invited to get involved.

"Although we hold programs all year round," says Executive Director, Kitty Stalsburg, "summer is one of our busiest times when we open High Hopes to the wider community through five weeks of all-inclusive horse camp as well as providing our regular programs. We are looking for volunteers of all ages but would particularly encourage middle and high school students (14 or older), seasonal residents, and active retirees in particular. Just one hour a week, or one week during summer camp can make all the difference to one of our campers."

"No experience with horses is needed," says Lesson Manager, Marie Manero, "we provide general orientation and side-walker training for all of our volunteers, and those that want to do more work with the horses can do additional training in horse-handling and barn activities."

Over the course of a year High Hopes, an internationally recognized therapeutic riding and horsemanship center, relies on the help of over 650 volunteers to supplement its small staff and provide programs for a wide range of individuals and groups as well as support it's fundraising activities. Participants include children and adults with physical disabilities, veterans living with PTSD, children grieving the loss of a parent, families recovering from domestic violence and individuals and their families supporting a loved one with a life-long cognitive disability.

High Hopes serves participants from over 60 towns in Connecticut and beyond, works with ten different school districts and many agencies from across the state. If your organization supports community volunteering and you would like to bring a group of volunteers to High Hopes for the day, our team would also like to talk to you.

Email Rachel Butler, Volunteer Coordinator, rbutler@highhopestr.org For more information, to meet a few of our volunteers, and to express your interest in this event, please register at:

https://highhopestr.org/volunteers/prospective-volunteers/