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Volunteer with Us

We NEED volunteers! Are you interested in working with mini-horses to change people’s lives and make the world a better place for others? You don’t have have to be a horse expert to volunteer! Our training program will teach you how to be around horses, how to conduct visits, and even become a registered handler! Take the first step and fill out our volunteer application! Look below for the different volunteer opportunities and descriptions. 

Groom

  Overview of Duties:

Grooms provide support and maintain the horses and prepare them for visits. They help with the management of the horses, and care of the stables. Grooms help by washing and brushing the horses, walking the horses around, keeping the barn cleaned and stations in order and stocked. You do not have to have any experience with horses to start with us! We will teach you everything you need to know. If you have a love for horses and a willingness to learn, we hope you will volunteer with us!

 

Qualifications:

  • Must be at least 14 years old (parent/responsible adult present at all times)
  • 16 year olds can volunteer without parents present if they have a drivers license and transportation
  • Volunteers under 18 must have signed parent/guardian permission
  • Must love horses
  • Must be able to follow orders and take instructions/constructive criticism
  • Must be a team player and have positive personality

Hot Walker

Overview of Duties:

Hot Walkers keep the horses in top shape, both physically and mentally. They exercise the horses, and reinforce training and obedience work by running through skills used during therapy visits, such as starting and stopping on halter, walking in line, standing still, and other skills .

 

Qualifications:

  • Must be checked off and mastered all groom skills
  • Must be approved by training staff

Visit Support Staff

Overview of Duties:

Visit Support Staff are crucial for smooth operations of the visits. Some are “horse people” and some are people who love working with kids and patients, but don’t necessarily enjoy the animal aspects of MHOL. Duties include helping prepare the equipment for visits (cards, brochures, tables, etc). They also help load supplies into the van, set up & break down at the event, answer any questions about MHOL therapy program and our horses., facilitate smooth logistics on the visits, and help the handler and handler’s assistant during the visits.

 

Qualifications:

  • Must be at least 16 years of age
  • Complete MHOL and horse knowledge training (classroom)
  • Be familiar with Infectious Control Procedures
  • Outgoing personality and like to talk to people
  • Must be able to pass a background check

Handler’s Assistant

Overview of Duties:

The Handler’s Assistant maintains the safety of the horse and participants during the visit. While the Handler is focused on the experience and interactions with patients, the Handler’s Assistant is focused on the horse’s needs, including safety of other participants approaching from the rear, excited people wanting to get close to the horse, and the horse’s physical needs. The Handler’s Assistant will assist the Support Staff if necessary and must be capable and willing to step into role of the Handler should a situation arise.

 

Qualifications:

  • Must be 16 years of age.
  • Complete and pass Groom, Hot Walker, and Visit Support staff training
  • Must have own transportation unless otherwise worked out
  • Outgoing personality and like to talk to people
  • Be attentive and possess situational awareness of your surroundings
  • Must be able to pass background check

 

    Handler

    Overview of Duties:

    The Handler is the lead person on all aspects of a visit. They are in charge at all times and responsible for the safety and well-being of the horse, supporting staff and attendees. The handler’s main responsibility is to focus on the experience and interactions with patients, staff, and site leadership. A Handler will control of the front of the horse, yet keeping an eye on the rear all the while talking to participants.

     

    Qualifications:

    • Must be 18 years of age
    • Completed and passed Groom, Hot Walker, Visit Support Staff, and Handler’s Assistant
    • Approved by MHOL volunteer coordinator and Founders
    • Have an outgoing personality that loves to interact with people
    • Have a passion about the work we are doing and wanting to bring happiness to others
    • Must be a team player in all aspects yet know how to be a leader
    • Have completed Pet Partners qualification with each horse they are teamed with.
    • Must have current Drivers License and good driving record
    • Demonstrate critical thinking skills and good judgment

    Organizational Staff

    Overview of Duties:

    Do you have a specialized or professional skill that you would like to volunteer? We are always needing help with marketing, fundraising, event planning, paperwork, sewing and tack, website maintenance, barn and equipment maintenance, and other tasks. Ask not what the horses can do for you, but what you can do for the horses!

     

    Qualifications:

    • A willingness to help and a great, positive attitude. 
    • Specialized skills that can help MHOL

    Volunteer with Mini Hooves of Love

    We are excited that you are interested in becoming a volunteer with Mini Hooves of Love! If you haven’t read our volunteer roles above, please scroll back up and read what it takes to volunteer with us.  Our volunteer training program is top notch and will get you up to speed on our organization and how we do things. Your first step in this process is to fill out our application. We look forward to having you!

    Volunteer Application

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