We love and cherish our volunteers
We love and cherish our volunteers as they are the backbone of our organization. It takes a very special kind of person to dedicate time and commitment and we appreciate every effort that is made. Without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers this program would not be possible.
How can I be involved?
Our goal is to help you find a role within the organization that suits your individual needs and special talents.
If you have experience or are looking to gain experience working with horses:
Grooming and tacking horses; leading or side-walking; cleaning and maintaining tack and other equipment; feeding and other horse care.
If you would like to help out behind the scenes:
Fundraising and special events; newsletters; blog entries; host or organize volunteer appreciation parties; horse shows and other public presentations
If you would like to be involved on an executive level:
PGTRA is run by a volunteer board of directors that meets 5 times a year to determine the direction of the organization. Currently we have two positions available.
Who can volunteer?
We encourage volunteers to join us for the entirety of the 8 week session. This helps create a familiar and comfortable environment and for many children with disabilities creating this routine is very important, although we know this is not always possible.
We accept volunteers of 16 years of age and older. Those under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian to sign for them.
All volunteers will need to undergo a criminal record check.
Previous work with horses and/or children with special needs is considered and asset but is not required. Orientation and training are provided to those volunteers who are interested in working hands on with the horses and riders.
The only real requirements are your interest and enthusiasm.
As a volunteer, even on the most difficult days at work, seeing the riders eyes light up when they see their horse, and also their cheers of “I did it!” when they’ve accomplished a goal they’ve been working hard on with their horse, to me is so incredibly rewarding. The horses themselves touch my heart, and it’s beautiful to see others get out of riding what it did for me when I was a child and had my own horse Volunteering with PGTRA is a lot of hard work, most of it physically demanding, but being able to witness the difference it makes in the riders lives makes it so worth it. The saying, “it takes a village to raise a child,” is so true and it doesn’t stop at childhood for our kids. It carries well over into adulthood. I am so thrilled to be a part of these riders village and also that everyone there is a part of ours.
A Volunteer's Story