PRDA
Get Involved!

 

Volunteers are essential to the PRDA program. There are two main groups of volunteers - in lessons and out of lessons.  The in lesson volunteers work directly with the horses and riders, along with the specially certified instructors, to provide fun and therapy for the riders.  We need over 130 volunteers each week to assist riders! We ask for a minimum time commitment of approximately 1-2 hours a week during our regular session. Since we offer classes 6 days a week, Monday through Saturday, roughly 10am to 6:30pm, you can choose a day and time that best fits your schedule. 

To volunteer in a lesson, we will provide you with a 3 hour training session where you will learn PRDA's techniques for: grooming, tacking, leading, side walking, mounting and dismounting. We would be delighted to have you return session after session since experienced lesson volunteers provide stability and a sense of community, familiarity with riders' goals and needs, and proficiency with horses and tack.  The bond that riders form with their volunteers is an important part of the therapeutic benefit.

We also offer many important non-lesson volunteer opportunities in the areas of: special events, yard work, facilities maintenance, etc. Non-lesson volunteers are trained according to the specific task that they choose. Individuals who are interested in volunteering in the barn do require a basic training session.

If you would like to take the next step toward becoming a PRDA volunteer, please call the Volunteer Coordinator at 604-530-8717

 

 Please note that a Criminal Record Check is a requirement for all staff and volunteers at PRDA.

You can download all the volunteer forms below and bring them with you to your orientation.

Volunteer Information Form

Volunteer Release and Confidentiality Forms

Volunteer Request for Criminal Record Check

 

PRDA would like to give special thanks to our many, many wonderful volunteers for all the time and energy they've put into helping us and our riders. THANK-YOU!!

 


 

Title/Position: Leader

 Objective:

To have primary responsibility for the horse, i.e. prepare the horse for class, maintain safety spacing, and help the horse follow the directions of the rider during lesson. Secondary responsibility is to assist the rider in following the directions of the instructor.

 

Qualifications Required:

  • Commitment to attend lesson each week for a session.
  • Horse experience
  • Walk for an hour at a time (indoors or outdoors) on uneven surfaces
  • Hear and understand instructors in English
  • Must have adequate vision to ensure safety of horses and participants
  • Lift up to 20 pounds (saddle) above your head
  • Ability to adapt to change and be flexible
  • Minimum age of sixteen

 

Responsibilities:

  • Ensure horse is groomed, tacked and warming up in arena minimum 5 minutes prior to class
  • Lead the horse in the lesson
  • Listen to the directions of the instructor
  • Untack the horse after lesson (unless it is needed in a lesson immediately following)

 

Timeframe:

  • Minimum length of commitment: one day a week for the length of a session
  • Estimated total hours: 1-2 hours per day per lesson (more lessons can be done)

 

Volunteer Benefits:

  • Satisfaction of helping your community
  • Gain an understanding and appreciation of what it means to live with disabilities
  • Learn about the care of horses
  • Acquire community service hours for school, church, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, etc.
  • Personal growth
  • Develop new friendships

 

Title/Position: Sidewalker

Objective:

To physically support the rider (during riding, mounting and dismounting), help the rider guide their horse in the arena, and assist the rider in following the directions of the instructor as necessary. The amount of support required is dependent on each rider's abilities.

 

Qualifications Required:

  • Commitment to attend lesson each week for a session
  • Walk for an hour at a time (indoors or outdoors) on uneven surfaces
  • Ability to hold your arm raised and out to the side for up to an hour at a time
  • Hear and understand instructors in English
  • Must have adequate vision to ensure safety of horses and participants
  • Ability to adapt to change and be flexible
  • Comfortable working with persons with a disability (including physical contact)
  • Minimum age of sixteen
  • Horse experience preferred but not necessary

 

Responsibilities:

  • Help prepare horses for lessons (grooming and tacking)
  • Assist with supporting rider during mounting and dismounting as necessary
  • Walk next to the rider throughout lesson, providing physical support as necessary
  • Help rider follow directions given by the instructor

 

Timeframe:

  • Minimum length of commitment: one day a week for the length of a session.
  • Estimated total hours: 1-2 hours per day per lesson (more lessons can be done)

 

Volunteer Benefits:

  • Satisfaction of helping your community
  • Gain an understanding and appreciation of what it means to live with disabilities
  • Learn about the care of horses
  • Acquire community service hours for school, church, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, etc.
  • Personal growth
  • Develop new friendships