Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Living Wells Farm Equine Assisted Services. Volunteers are the backbone to our success as an organization and we encourage anyone to join our team!
Although it is encouraged, you do not need to have any horse experience to volunteer at LWF-EAS! There are plenty of projects and roles to fill at the farm. Whether you can volunteer 10 hrs or 1 hour a week we appreciate your unique skills and support that you bring to our organization.
Volunteer roles listed on our website lwfequineservices.org include, but are not limited to:
Horse Leader
Horse leaders assist riders in therapeutic riding lessons and other equine-assisted activities where the horse needs to be handled. Horse leaders are trained to safely and properly retrieve horses from the paddocks before lessons, groom and tack them in their designated equipment, lead them through the lesson, and then return them to the paddock. Horse leaders are cognizant of their horse’s demeanor and focus on the horse during the lesson, not the rider. Horse leaders are encouraged to have had previous horse experience, however those who don’t are trained by certified professionals at volunteer orientations.
Sidewalkers
Sidewalkers assist riders in therapeutic riding lessons by walking alongside the rider and providing adequate support to the rider. Support is unique to each individual. Support can be physical, helping with rider balance; sight seeing for people with visual impairments; reinforcers for people with hearing impairments; or emotional spotters there to boost confidence. Sidewalkers will also be required to assist in retrieval and preparation of horses. Sidewalkers are trained at required volunteer orientations before assisting in lessons.
Stable Hand
Stable hand volunteers are for volunteers that are interested in barn work. Responsibilities include, cleaning stalls, picking paddocks, tidying up the barn, helping with feeds, watering and working as a team. Stable hand volunteers must be able to lift 50lbs, and work on their feet on rough terrain. Stable hand volunteers are trained at required volunteer orientations.
Administrative Volunteer
Administrative volunteer is a position for those who might, or might not have an interest in working with horses, but like the office and business upkeep.
Fundraising Volunteer
For volunteers who have experience in fundraising and are willing to volunteer their skills and time to create a fundraiser or event of any size, to benefit LWFEAS.
Grant Writing Volunteer
Volunteers who have experience writing grants and are willing to volunteer their skills to assist in writing grants for LWF-EAS. Grants are written for program funding, rider scholarships and discounts for services.. etc.
Maintenance & Repair- For volunteers who are familiar with property maintenance and repairs. Maintenance volunteers may find joy building turnout sheds, repairing fences, mowing and hedging fields, repairing other farm equipment and more. There is always something to do on the farm. We will be sure to find a project for you to put the tools and your skills to work.
- Boy scout groups looking to fulfill badge requirements.
- Vocational schools looking for experience in the field building run in sheds, repairing fencing, repairing farm equipment, and more, all while obtaining community service hours.
School Community Service Fulfillment
High school students with community service requirements are welcome to volunteer at LWFEAS! We ask that students are at least 15 years old and attend a required orientation.
