Role Overview

Lesson Helpers play an essential role in supporting TEAD’s therapeutic riding programs. Working under the guidance of the Instructor and Volunteer Mentor, Lesson Helpers assist with horse and lesson preparation, support riders during classes, and help ensure a safe, positive, and inclusive experience for all participants.

Key Responsibilities

Lesson Preparation

• Groom horses prior to lessons.
• Prepare and organize tack and equipment.
• Assist with tacking up horses as directed.
• Help instructors set up the arena and lesson activities as needed.
• Ensure horses and equipment are ready before riders arrive.

During Lessons

• Once horses are prepared, volunteers bring them into the arena and serve in one of two support roles: Leader or Sidewalker.

Lesson Wrap-Up

• Assist with untacking and grooming horses after lessons.
• Help clean and organize equipment.
• Support general arena and barn tidying duties.
• Ensure all materials are returned to their proper storage locations.

Role Description

• Leaders are responsible for the horse during therapeutic riding lessons. They work closely with the instructor to ensure the horse maintains the correct pace, direction, and positioning throughout the lesson.

Qualifications

• Previous horse experience preferred, or
• A minimum of three months of successful Sidewalker experience at TEAD.

Responsibilities

• Hold horses safely during rider mounts and dismounts.
• Lead horses using a lead rope throughout lessons.
• Follow instructor directions regarding speed, direction, and lesson activities.
• Guide horses through patterns, obstacles, and exercises.
• Monitor horse behaviour and communicate concerns to the instructor.

Sidewalker

Role Description

• Sidewalkers provide physical, emotional, and instructional support to riders throughout their lessons. They help riders participate safely while promoting confidence, independence, and skill development.

Responsibilities

• Provide physical support as directed by the instructor, including:
  • Hip support
  • Above-knee support
  • Ankle support
  • Toe support
  • Combination supports as required
• Offer encouragement and emotional support to riders.
• Assist riders with maintaining balance and proper position.
• Repeat or clarify instructor directions when needed.
• Provide prompts for riders with visual, auditory, cognitive, or communication challenges.
• Assist with hand-over-hand support when directed to do so.
• Support rider participation in games, activities, and goal-oriented exercises.
• Walk alongside riders during trail rides and other off-arena activities.
• Help create a safe, positive, and inclusive environment for all participants.

Skills and Qualities

• Positive and encouraging attitude.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills are important.
• Reliability and willingness to learn.
• Ability to follow instructor direction.
• Commitment to rider safety and well-being.
• Respect for horses, participants, families, and fellow volunteers.

Training

• All Lesson Helpers receive orientation and ongoing training from TEAD staff and Volunteer Mentors. Additional training is provided for volunteers interested in progressing from Sidewalker to Leader roles.

Role Overview

Barn Volunteers play an important role in supporting the daily care of TEAD’s horses and maintaining a safe, clean, and organized barn environment. Working under the direction of the Barn Manager, Barn Volunteers assist with horse care, feeding routines, barn maintenance, and general facility upkeep.

This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy hands-on work with horses and are interested in learning more about equine care and barn operations.

Key Responsibilities

Horse Care and Feeding

• Assist with feeding horses according to established barn routines.
• Prepare hay nets for horses.
• Help distribute hay, feed, and water as directed by the Barn Manager.
• Monitor horses during feeding and report any concerns to staff.

Barn Maintenance

• Clean and muck stalls.
• Empty and refresh water buckets and troughs.
• Sweep barn aisles, grooming areas, and workspaces.
• Assist with maintaining a clean, safe, and organized barn environment.
• Help with seasonal and special barn maintenance projects as needed.

Horse Handling

• Assist with bringing horses in from fields and paddocks.
• Help move horses safely between turnout areas, stalls, and barns under staff supervision.
• Follow all horse handling and safety procedures.

General Support

• Assist the Barn Manager with daily tasks and projects.
• Help organize equipment and supplies.
• Support overall barn operations as needed.
• Contribute to a positive, safe, and welcoming environment for horses, volunteers, staff, and visitors.

Skills and Qualities

• Comfortable working around horses and livestock.
• Ability to follow instructions and safety procedures.
• Strong work ethic and willingness to perform physical tasks.
• Dependable and punctual.
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry feed buckets, hay, and equipment.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, sweep, and perform physical barn tasks.
• Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Training

All Barn Volunteers receive training and ongoing guidance from the Barn Manager. Training includes horse handling procedures, feeding routines, barn safety, stall cleaning practices, and daily barn operations.

Availability

Currently, Barn Volunteer opportunities are limited. TEAD is currently accepting applications primarily for fill-in and substitute positions to support existing volunteers and staff when coverage is needed. The availability of regular shifts may vary throughout the year.

Role Overview

Night Feed Volunteers help ensure TEAD’s horses receive their evening care and feeding before settling in for the night. Working independently or alongside other volunteers, Night Feed Volunteers follow established feeding and barn procedures to support the health, comfort, and well-being of the horses.

This role is ideal for reliable individuals who are comfortable working in a barn environment and can follow detailed routines and instructions.

Key Responsibilities

Evening Feeding

• Prepare and distribute evening feed according to each horse’s feeding plan.
• Deliver hay and prepare hay nets as required.
• Ensure all horses have access to fresh water.
• Monitor horses while feeding and report any concerns to the Barn Manager.

Horse Wellness Checks

• Perform a visual check of all horses during feeding.
• Look for any signs of illness, injury, discomfort, or unusual behaviour.
• Report any concerns to the appropriate staff member following TEAD procedures.

Barn Closing Duties

• Ensure stalls, aisles, and common areas are left clean and safe.
• Check that gates, stall doors, and paddock access points are properly secured.
• Turn off lights and secure the barn as directed.
• Complete any required feeding or barn check documentation.

General Barn Support

• Refill water buckets if needed.
• Assist with basic barn tidying during the shift.
• Follow all safety protocols and horse handling procedures.
• Support the overall care and well-being of the horses.

Skills and Qualities

• Dependable and able to follow routines consistently.
• Good attention to detail.
• Strong sense of responsibility and accountability.
• Ability to remain calm and confident around horses.
• Willingness to communicate concerns promptly.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry feed, hay, and water buckets.
• Ability to walk, bend, sweep, and perform routine barn tasks.
• Comfortable working in varying weather conditions and evening hours.

Training

All Night Feed Volunteers receive training from the Barn Manager on feeding procedures, horse wellness monitoring, barn safety, emergency protocols, and closing routines. Volunteers must demonstrate competency with feeding procedures before completing shifts independently.

Availability

Night Feed Volunteers are scheduled based on barn needs and volunteer availability. Consistency and reliability are especially important, as horses depend on feeding routines being completed accurately and on time. Currently, Night Feed opportunities are limited. TEAD is currently accepting applications primarily for fill-in and substitute positions to support existing volunteers and staff when coverage is needed.

Hippotherapy and Clinical Program Volunteers support licensed healthcare professionals in delivering equine-assisted therapy sessions. Working under the direction of the treating therapist and horse handler, volunteers help create a safe and supportive environment that allows participants to achieve their individualized therapeutic goals.

This role is ideal for individuals interested in healthcare, rehabilitation, education, or therapeutic recreation and provides valuable experience working alongside clinical professionals.

Key Responsibilities

Session Preparation

• Assist with preparing horses and equipment for therapy sessions.
• Help set up therapy materials, activities, and treatment spaces as directed by the therapist.
• Ensure the treatment environment is safe, organized, and ready for participants.

During Therapy Sessions

• Assist with safely escorting participants to and from the treatment area.
• Provide physical support to participants as directed by the therapist.
• Support participant safety during mounting, dismounting, and therapy activities.
• Follow therapist instructions regarding positioning, handling, and participant support.
• Assist with activities designed to support therapeutic goals.
• Help maintain participant engagement and motivation throughout sessions.
• Provide encouragement and emotional support when appropriate.

Horse Support

• Assist with leading horses when trained and authorized to do so.
• Help ensure horses maintain the appropriate pace, direction, and positioning during sessions.
• Monitor horse behaviour and communicate concerns to the therapist or horse handler.

Session Wrap-Up

• Assist with untacking and caring for horses after sessions.
• Help clean and store therapy equipment and materials.
• Support general tidying of treatment and barn areas.
• Assist with preparing for upcoming sessions as needed.

Skills and Qualities

• Interest in healthcare, therapy, rehabilitation, education, or human services.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow directions from therapists and staff.
• Patient, supportive, and encouraging attitude.
• Professional and respectful approach when working with participants and families.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk for extended periods alongside horses and participants.
• Ability to provide physical support to participants when required.
• Comfortable working in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to perform light lifting and setup tasks.

Training

All Clinical Program Volunteers receive orientation and training from TEAD staff and clinical team members. Training includes participant safety procedures, volunteer support techniques, horse handling protocols, emergency procedures, and role-specific expectations.

Important Notes

• Volunteers work under the direction of licensed healthcare professionals and are not responsible for providing therapy or clinical interventions.
• All participants must be treated confidentially.
• Due to the specialized nature of this program, additional training and shadowing may be required before volunteers participate independently in sessions.

Availability

Clinical Program volunteer opportunities are limited and are scheduled based on program needs, participant enrollment, and therapist availability. Preference may be given to volunteers pursuing education or careers in healthcare, rehabilitation, education, or related fields.