We Need Your Help Making Strides & Changing Lives

PALS relies on the generosity of our volunteers to ensure the sustainability of our organization. Whether you’d like to volunteer once a month, once a week, or on your own schedule, we have a volunteer position to match your interests.

Your Impact

Without volunteers, we would not be able to provide the kinds of lessons that we do. Volunteers keep our programs running and help change the lives of our riders.

Why We Need You

To ensure the safety of our riders during therapeutic riding lessons, we rely on the support of 1-3 dedicated volunteers. Beyond the arena, there’s a lot of work that goes into maintaining the smooth operation of our barn.

How to Start

You will need to attend a volunteer orientation! Please check back for volunteer training dates as they become available.

“I love to watch the progress of the clients and see how happy it makes both them and their families.”

Volunteer Testimonial

Therapeutic rider riding a brown horse wearing a blue shirt with a volunteer walking beside the horse
Volunteer smiling at Halloween with the Horses while handing out small prizes

Need flexible time commitments?

Volunteers can engage in various activities depending on the amount of time they have available.

Have 5 minutes?

  • Share a Social Media Post: Help spread the word about PALS by sharing their posts on your personal social media accounts.
  • Sign Up for Volunteer Opportunities: Quickly sign up for upcoming volunteer shifts or events.
  • Quick Tidy-Up: Pick up trash or straighten up the common areas to keep the facility looking neat.

Have an hour?

  • Assist with a Riding Lesson: Help with preparing horses, leading them, or side-walking during lessons.
  • Tack Cleaning: Clean and organize saddles, bridles, and other equipment.
  • Grounds Maintenance: Mow lawns, pull weeds, or assist with other basic maintenance tasks around the facility.

Have more time?

  • Organize or Assist with Events: Help plan and execute fundraising events, volunteer training sessions, or special activities for participants.
  • Facility Improvement Projects: Engage in larger projects like painting, building repairs, or landscaping improvements.
  • Check out the roles below!
Barn assistant walking outside with Nemo, a Shetland pony

Barn Helper

Keep our horses happy by helping maintain a clean facility.

The volunteer barn helper is responsible for mucking stalls; cleaning and raking aisles; cleaning offices and other rooms; cleaning feeders and filling water; and doing laundry.

Sidewalker

Be a friendly companion to our riders by walking alongside them, providing both moral support and a helping hand.

The volunteer sidewalker is responsible for walking alongside clients during programs. All volunteers begin as a sidewalker and can become a leader after going through the additional training.

Two therapeutic riders riding Big D and Bella in the out doors arena with volunteers
Volunteer in black shirt leading Scout with a therapeutic rider in a maroon shirt

Leader

Lead the horse during the lesson and make sure they’re looking and feeling their best—well-groomed, properly tacked, and warmed up.

To be a leader, the volunteer must have a strong understanding of horse behavior.

Equine Advocate

PALS Equine Advocates care for the horses’ physical and mental well being during Equine-Assisted Learning programming.  This key role provides observation and a “voice” for the horse. Successful Equine Advocates are compassionate, observant, teachable and enjoy time with horses and humans, while modeling safe and kind equine interactions.

Two people standing next to Big D with bowls of paint at the Creative Arts for Vets Event
Two people standing next to Big D with bowls of paint at the Creative Arts for Vets Event

Intern

We provide an engaging opportunity for students interested in pursuing careers across a range of fields, such as veterinary science, recreational therapy, and nonprofit management.

Apply to Volunteer

First Name

Last Name

Email

Your Message