Empowering Strides non-profit organization providing therapeutic horsemanship to children who face behavioral, emotional and/or cognitive challenges. Through the use of horses we can offer youth a different perspective. Horses often mirror the emotions of their handler which allows the horse to teach a child far easier than an authoritative figure. Horses gently encourage a new awareness and connection in people that grows a person’s self-awareness and leadership abilities.
Volunteers are an essential part of the Empowering Strides team. Volunteers are utilized in every lesson to maintain the utmost safety of each horse and rider. Volunteers support riders by helping them to groom and tack their horses, to mount and dismount, and to learn new things and complete tasks during a lesson.
Empowering Strides Volunteer Qualifications
- Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. (12 with a parent)
- Be able to lift up to 20 lbs
- Be able to walk and jog on uneven ground during a one-hour lesson
- Enjoy working with kids
- Have good communication skills
- Be open to constructive feedback
- Be willing to learn and follow procedures
- Dress in appropriate barn attire
- *Horse knowledge and experience is extremely helpful but not necessary.
