Volunteer Opportunities

SARI Therapeutic Riding needs more than 200 volunteers to provide its valuable services. As a SARI volunteer, you can make a profound difference in the lives of people facing physical, cognitive, social and psychological challenges.Volunteers Tacking up a ponyCleck here to Volunteer

You don’t need any horseback riding experience to volunteer. SARI can use your skills or provide you with the training you need to volunteer in a variety of areas, including:

  • Helping with fundraising events
  • Committee or board members
  • Program Volunteer (leader/sidewalker)
  • Summer Camp Volunteers (click for volunteer forms)

Apply now and we’ll provide all the training you need to get started.

Program volunteer

Horse Leader

As a leader, you are responsible for the management of the horse during the lesson and for following the directions of the instructor. The rider's safety is in your hands.

SARI horses are chosen for their gentleness and good manners, so you will find your time as a horse leader rewarding and fun. Many volunteers build a friendship with the riders as well.

Leaders need to commit to:

  • Preparing the horse for the lesson (grooming and saddling)
  • Taking care of the horse after the lesson
  • Work for at least one session (9 to 12 lessons)

Sidewalker

As a volunteer sidewalker at SARI you will assist the instructor during mounting, physically support the rider during the lesson using holds you will be taught, and cue the rider as you walk beside him or her during class.

As a sidewalker you have the opportunity to form an important relationship with a disabled rider and to make a significant difference in someone's life. Sidewalkers need to commit to:

  • Preparing the horse for the lesson (grooming and saddling)
  • Taking care of the horse after the lesson
  • Work for at least one session (9 to 12 lessons)

Board member/Committee member

If you have administrative, professional, fundraising or public relations skills and are interested in supporting SARI through an ongoing role, then becoming a committee or board member may be where you can help.

Special events

SARI organizes four key fundraisers every year. Each event requires volunteers to plan, organize and generate publicity.

  • Spring – The Grand Theatre
  • Summer – Golf Tournament
  • Winter – Bowling for Ponies
  • Fall – Ride-a-Thon

Instructor

SARI will pay the majority of training costs for qualified people interested in completing the instructor training program through the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association. Through this program, you can become certified to teach therapeutic riding one-on-one as an assistant instructor or to groups as an intermediate instructor. This certification will allow you to teach anywhere in Canada. You must have been a volunteer in the SARI program for at least six months.

To become an instructor, you need to commit to:

  • Between one and two years of training (depending on your existing qualifications and experience)
  • Volunteering at SARI for at least one year after you’ve completed your certification
  • Obtaining your Standard First Aid/CPR-C Certificate
  • Obtaining your Equine Canada Rider Level 2 Certificate

Being an instructor involves:

  • Preparing lesson plans for each class
  • Teaching the class
  • Being responsible for the safety of the students and volunteers
  • Reporting on the progress of the students at the end of each class
  • Attending monthly instructor meetings and training sessions

Exercise Rider

The SARI horses work very hard and need someone who will play with them and love them. We require riders who will develop a relationship with their horse and give them a break from the routine of the work that they do.

To become an exercise rider, you need to:

  • Volunteer in the regular riding program for a minimum of three months
  • Complete an Exercise Rider application
  • Complete a riding assessment
  • Understand basic horse first aid and grooming
  • Be able to ride to the Equine Canada Rider Level 2 standard (English)

Exercise riders need to commit to:

  • Working with an individual horse two to three times per week
  • Meet with head instructor every two months for ongoing training and assessment

 The work includes:

  • Play with toys
  • Work with leading and sidewalking and at the mounting block
  • Ride challenging patterns and figures to keep the horses fit and engaged mentally and physically
  • Hacks (trail rides) in the woods and fields around the property (weather permitting)