PPTRC VOLUNTEERS

PPTRC’s Volunteers are the muscle and the heart of our organization. We simply cannot exist without them! Our Volunteers are a necessary part of our classes, they help us in the office and take part in the stable work. They assist at many special events held throughout the year.

Our Volunteers constantly tell us how rewarding it is to assist our riders and help care for our special horses. The 250+ Volunteers donate more than 16,000 hours each year, a value of more than $160,000.

You definitely don’t need to be horse savvy to Volunteer at here PPTRC! You just need the desire to help a great group of people with handicaps and special needs! Call us to tell how you’d like to help.

• Work in class as a side-walker or leader
• Groom horses and get them ready for classes
• Stable work - cleaning paddocks and stalls, fixing fences
• Office work - filing, making phone calls, fund raising
• Special events - horse shows, parades, fundraisers, etc.

Click here to register as a volunteer...

If you are currently a PPTRC Volunteer or have been in the past, please take a moment to fill out our Volunteer Survey to help us improve our program for the future. Please click here to take the survey. Thank you!

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Why Volunteer?

It is an extremely rewarding experience to work with our riders. Some individuals Volunteer to meet community service requirements for school, while others want gain horse experience, socialize with new-found friends, or simply for the fulfillment of helping others.

Who Can Volunteer?

You can volunteer with PPTRC if you are 14 years of age or older. You may also Volunteer if you are under 14, if a parent or adult guardian is Volunteering with you!

How to Register as a Volunteer?

Click here to register...
Or download and complete the PPTRC Volunteer Registration and Release Form (164KB PDF) and return to us via fax 719-494-1689. You can also scan and email it to jenkins@pptrc.org or snail mail it to 13620 Halleluiah Trail; Elbert, CO 80106.

Each volunteer is required to participate in an orientation program prior to participating in one of our therapeutic riding classes. Please click here for our 2012 orientation dates.

Please download a copy of our Volunteer Handbook (262KB PDF).

What Can I Do as a Volunteer?

• Classes - groom horses and get them ready for classes, be a side walker or a horse leader
• Stable work - cleaning paddocks and stalls, fixing fences
• Office work - filing, making phone calls, and fund raising
• Special events - horse shows, parades, fundraisers and much, much more

SIDE WALKERS are responsible for the safety of riders. You help get horses ready for class, and assist your rider with their helmet then taking them to the arena to get mounted on their horse. You guide your rider safely as he or she gets to know and care for the horse. During the class itself, your job is to prevent the rider from falling off, but NOT to hold him or her on the horse. Your instructor will give you directions on how to assist each rider.

HORSE LEADERS are responsible for the safety of the horse and control at all times. You reinforce signals that the rider gives to the horse. While waking with the horse, you’ll maintain a proper distance from other horses in the class while walking, changing directions, and passing. You don’t interact directly with the rider; that is the side walker’s job. This role takes extensive horse experience, and if you are new to horses you will be assigned to sidewalk first. We offer classes throughout the year for all of our Volunteers to learn how to become a horse leader! So, let us know if you want to learn to lead or even if you just want to learn more about horses! Our Horse Conditioner as well as the Team Leaders are always happy to help you grow in your horse skills!

VOLUNTEER CALENDAR

Download Our New 2012 Year Schedule Here (196KB PDF)

To sign up for break classes, orientation or special events, please call Dayna Jenkins at 719-495-3908 or email her at jenkins@pptrc.org.

2012 Volunteer Orientation Dates

• January 14
• February 18
• March 10
• April 21
• May 12
• June 2
• July 21
• August 11
• September 8
• October 20
Time: 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Place: PPTRC Main Barn
RSVP: Dayna Jenkins at jenkins@pptrc.org

TESTIMONIES

PPTRC Volunteer Testimony
By Art Aldridge
Edited and Reprinted with Permission, September, 2009

When Joyce and I first visited the Center to inquire about the programs, we weren’t sure if we would volunteer. That day, a Thursday, was an eye opener as they were short of volunteers. As I was raised on a farm and had been around horses, I was put to work side-walking with Sue.* Sue was recovering from injuries sustained in a fall. From that first day I was hooked on helping these beautiful children any way that I could.

The day Jenny* first came to the center and I saw her Mom carrying her in I knew that I was to work with her. She was like a beautiful rag doll. Jenny couldn’t walk and had to be carried to be put on her horse. Once on the horse she had to be held up as she had no control over her body. We (the therapist, Julie, Louise and I) propped her up with pillows and held her in place. Within the first session (8 weeks) she started holding on with her right hand, as lefty didn’t work for her. Late in the first session, the therapist let me help Jenny work on her stomach muscles by having her do sit ups and side bends on the horse. She tried to do everything the Therapist asked of her. Jenny won everyone over with her smile. From the start she would make up names for me, “bald head,” was her favorite. Jenny liked rhymes and added her own touch making up funny names for the characters. Needless to say I was proud of her as each session I could see a marked improvement. I’ve never seen anyone work so hard, with a big smile and a sense of humor. We can all learn from these kids.

The Thursday morning crew is a caring one not only for the patients but for the horses who have the patience of JOB, especially when the riders change positions, throw balls and bean bags etc. They are a hard working crew, that see a task that needs to be done (and just do it) to include grooming, tacking and warming up the horses, side walking and leading and mucking out the stalls.

It is within this atmosphere of harmony that we are able to pay close attention to the patients. This has allowed all of us to help the children, Jenny being one of many, where we have seen so much improvement. The joy of being around these wonderful kids and working with the super volunteers and staff has enriched all our lives especially Joyce’s and mine. All the volunteers at the center can be proud of what they do and the impact they have on the children and the parents who watch us work with their precious angels.

*names have been changed for confidentiality



Learn more about our Volunteer Awards...



Click on 4 Bar Western and Work Partnership card below and print to present for donation...