Volunteering on the Farm

Although TaKE Center is run and supervised by a qualified, licensed physical therapist, it would be impossible for us to provide this clinical setting for our patients without the assistance of volunteers, who play a key role in supporting the efforts of TaKE Center.

We are looking for individuals to help in many areas. Depending on interest and experience, roles can range from working directly with the horses and patients in the riding ring, to maintaining equipment, the barn, property or trails. Minimum age to volunteer in the riding ring is 13. We do ask that youth under the age of 10 are accompanied by an adult.

Cleaning the barn, tack and horses is as important to us as providing our hippotherapy and therapeutic riding sessions. Without you, we cannot provide the quality services we strive to achieve.

By volunteering at TaKE Center, you are sure to walk away with unforgettable, valuable experiences from your connections with amazing people – and horses, too!

We are in need of volunteers on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:15 am - 12:30 pm. Our riding season runs from mid-April through Thanksgiving. Hours are flexible. Just let us know when you can help and we will work with you!

We normally hold our New Volunteer Training sessions on Saturdays in late March/early April. This is in preparation for our riders starting their sessions in mid-April, weather permitting.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or interest. We’d love to hear from you! Curious to know more? Scroll down to see our VOLUNTEER FAQ.

Group Volunteering

We are looking for motivated, responsible groups to help with a variety of needs. Your group is welcome to help out for just one day or more. We welcome Community Service Groups, Boy/Girl Scouts troops, 4-H groups and others. We have many projects to choose from - pick what interests your group the most!

Here are some of the tasks:

Trail maintenance (high priority for spring)
General barn clean-up
Painting
Fence and barn repair
Cleaning tack
Maintaining sensory trail

Donations

We gladly welcome individual or group donations! Please contact us directly to discuss how your generosity can benefit the Center!

Volunteering FAQ

How do I become a volunteer at TaKE center?

Call us or fill out the contact form to let us know that you are interested! We will guide you through the rest.

I don’t have experience with horses. Can I still help?

Yes! Volunteering at TaKE Center is a great way for you to learn about horses! We offer training sessions that provide the knowledge and skills to work safely around horses and properly care for them. Volunteer training sessions will be held on Saturdays beginning mid-March, weather permitting. Each session lasts 3-4 hours and 4 sessions will be offered. The amount of training is dependent upon your existing level of experience with horses and the volunteer position(s) you are interested in. Weather permitting, riders begin riding in mid-April and training needs to be completed by the time they start. However, if you miss the spring training window, please do not hesitate to contact us with interest as we can arrange additional training opportunities.

What is there to do at TaKE Center?

Volunteers age 13 and up may assist in the riding ring as a leader (leading the horse) or a side aide (spotting the rider and assisting with therapeutic activities). The physical therapist leads the session and is with the rider at all times in the riding ring volunteers help support the therapy session. Outside of the riding ring, volunteers of all ages may help taking care of the horses and the barn, but we do ask that parents accompany children under 10. These jobs could include grooming the horses, cleaning tack, tacking up the horses for riders, leading horses to and from the riding ring, feeding the horses and making sure they have fresh water, cleaning the stalls and barn, riding ring maintenance, light repairs and more..

How much of a commitment is it?

Whatever works with your schedule! In the riding ring, our greatest needs will be on Mondays from 9:15 am-1:45 pm, Tuesdays from 9:15 am-1:45 pm and Fridays all day. Saturday and Sunday mornings are also a possibility. Outside of the ring, we can use help during the same hours as the riding ring, and more. We have riders during spring, summer and fall. They begin riding in mid-April and ride through Thanksgiving. If you can offer a long term commitment, great! If you can help for a few sessions or a season, great! We are thankful to have the help.

We also hold Work Days where a group of volunteers are organized to come in just for one afternoon to help with special projects that are best accomplished by a larger number of people. This is a nice volunteer option for those who are interested in helping but are unable to make an ongoing volunteer commitment.

What do I need to bring with me?

A positive attitude and a willingness to help out! Also, it's important that all volunteers wear sturdy, closed toe shoes and clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. It's also good to bring a bottle of water and a snack. TaKE Center is on top of a hill and, with that, it's often a bit cooler – please be sure to dress appropriately for the weather.

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