Volunteering

BE A HERO!

“I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise of ordinary people Living ordinary lives” - Tracy Chapman

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Rein and Shine. We are a non-profit organization with a limited number of paid staff members. Thus, without the hard work and dedication of our Volunteers, this amazing program would not flourish.

Our therapeutic riding program operates year-round, six days a week from morning until evening. Our staff and volunteers work together, forming a vital team that is essential to our ongoing success. Individual reasons for volunteering may differ, but giving of oneself and forming special connections with people and horses create a common bond with everyone involved in our program. Our volunteer needs are many. Whether your experience with disabled students and/or horses is life-long or minimal, we need you!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• Lesson Program – Volunteers assist by leading horses or walking beside riders (side walking) during classes. Horse Handlers come with an understanding of, and experience with horses. Horse Handlers assist in preparing horses for classes (groom and tack), and are responsible for leading horses during class. Side walkers do not need experience. They are responsible for offering physical and emotional support. Side Walkers may train to be Horse Handlers after three months of volunteering in the lesson program. Lesson volunteers should be willing to commit to coming the same day and time each week and are required to attend a general volunteer orientation and training session.
  The General Orientation and Training Session begins with an overview of the Rein and Shine Therapeutic Riding program, who we serve, our horses, barn rules, and policies and procedures. After a tour of the facility, we head into the barn and demonstrate how horses are groomed and tacked. Next, Staff trainers and volunteers spend time in the arena, learning the ins and outs of “side walking” and horse handling. At this point, volunteers will be given the opportunity to practice these skills hands on, thus, preparing newcomers to assist with lessons. For those with horse experience, who are interested in becoming horse handlers, additional training in therapeutic techniques will be provided.
• Equine Program – Volunteers work directly with barn staff to help feed and care for the horses and the facility. Volunteers in the equine program should be willing to commit to a specified, consistent period of time each week and must first attend a general volunteer orientation and training session.
• Office - Volunteers assist with word processing, data entry, photocopying, bulk mailings and other support tasks. They also serve as receptionists and help answer phone calls.
• Facility/Farm– Volunteers help with general maintenance, repairs and improvements of the facility, including building and/or repairing fences, constructing shelters, plumbing, grass seeding, dragging fields… you name it, we need help with it!
• Special Events and Fundraising – Volunteers serve on event committees and assist with production during the various fundraisers and special events that Rein and Shine holds each year.
• Special Skills – Volunteers who possess skills or professional/technical experience that may benefit Rein and Shine, such as photography, graphic design, computer knowledge, etc., are encouraged to contact us.

To Become a Rein and Shine Volunteer:

• Volunteers must be able to work independently with minimal staff supervision.
• The recommended minimum age for volunteers is 16.
• Please complete your Volunteer Registration Volunteer Applications And Forms (volunteers under the age of 18 years must have paperwork signed by a parent or guardian to participate in training and volunteering) All paperwork must be completed and returned to Rein and Shine prior to participation in the Volunteer Program.
• Individuals must be available a minimum of one hour per week, the same day and time each week, if at all possible. New volunteers receive their assignment and schedule following their attendance in a volunteer orientation and training session. Volunteer assignments and schedules are based on interest, experience and availability. The first semester of volunteering is considered a trial period.
• All volunteer opportunities, including work in the Equine Program, Office, or Facility also require attending a general volunteer orientation and training session.
• Volunteering in the Equine Program, Lesson Program and/or Facility involves moderate physical activity. Please be sure you are comfortable with the physical aspects of the role you select.

No matter what your skills or special talents may be, there’s a place and a need for them at Rein and Shine. For more information about volunteer opportunities please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Catherine Cuthbert, at (843) 849-0964 or CCuthbert@ReinandShine.org.

"Everyone can see how much this program does for the children; however few realize how it changes the volunteers. The joy I feel in my heart watching these kids work so intensely to accomplish what they do, isn’t visible to anyone, yet I know it’s there. Knowing how these kids struggle every minute of every day to do the simplest things and watching their determination really brings a non-handicapped person down to earth quickly. The pure happiness on the face of a child feeling proud of him/herself for accomplishing one small task is sometimes overwhelming to me. I learn a lot from being part of these classes with the kids. Their excitement is contagious and it’s difficult not to become involved and share it with them. We share their joy in the things they are able to do. It’s almost as if life as I know it stops and I become part of a divine plan for those hours while working with the kids. It makes my heart smile and there’s no place else I’d rather be. The great joy and blessing of working with these kids is priceless. Becoming a volunteer horse handler for the Rein and Shine program has changed my life so dramatically for the better. "
Pam H. (Rein and Shine volunteer)