VOLUNTEER
Rainbow Riders is supported by a dedicated group of volunteers. We are always looking for energetic and motivated volunteers to help with our riding lessons, barn chores, and odd jobs around the stable.
Volunteer Opportunities
During a single therapeutic riding session, we can have as many as four children or adults with varying diagnoses riding in group lessons. For each individual to ride, it takes one horse leader, two side walkers, and an instructor to make the lesson possible. Not to mention all the work behind the scenes to keep our horses happy and healthy and our beautiful facility running smoothly.
In order to volunteer with our organization you must be at least 16 years of age. In addition, interested volunteers over the age of 18 must submit a volunteer form and RNC record and vulnerable sector check. To obtain a letter to have this fee waived, please email us. (Go to https://www.rnc.gov.nl.ca/criminal-records-screening-certificate-vulnerable-sector-check/ to apply online for a code of conduct from the RNC.) If you have questions about joining our volunteer team, please contact us! Please note that we track our volunteers’ hours, and that hours logged with Rainbow Riders are eligible for the high school Career Development course.
BARN CHORES
Operating a 16-horse barn year round is a lot of work, and we wouldn’t be able to maintain everything without the help of our reliable volunteers. We need helpers 7 days a week, scheduled for various shifts throughout the day. Our barn volunteers help with tasks such as horse feedings, turning the horses outside/inside, cleaning stalls and paddocks, sweeping the barn, preparing meals, cleaning tack, cleaning various places in the facility, and feeding our barn kitties!
SIDE-WALKER
Many children require the support of side-walkers on each side of them while riding. Side-walkers aid the rider using a number of different support holds. Each rider's needs are individualized. Before side-walkers begin their lesson, they are given a description of their rider as well as the types of holds that rider may need. When scheduling riders and side walkers, we are careful to match the rider’s needs to the volunteer’s level of experience.
INSTRUCTOR
It is the instructor's role to direct the riding lesson to ensure the rider, therapy horses and volunteers are safe, and that the session is both fun and constructive for our riders. All our instructors are either certified through the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA), or instructor candidates working towards certification under the guidance of a mentor. For information about joining our instructor candidates pool, email us at rainbowridersnl@gmail.com. Also see CanTRA’s website for more details!
HORSE LEADER
Each therapy horse needs an experienced horse person to lead them during their lesson. Horse leaders are typically volunteers who have been helping regularly with our program, know our horses well and have experience and confidence handling horses in all situations.
ODD JOBS/HANDYMAN TASKS
Our new facility is state-of-the-art, but every building requires maintenance! We need help maintaining fencing, clearing away fallen trees and debris around our trail system, performing minor carpentry tasks, light gardening duties during the spring and summer, and keeping our trusty Kubota tractor (aka Scoopy!) running smoothly. If you are handy in any of these areas, reach out to add your name to our list of contacts for odd jobs.
FUNDRAISING
Help with fundraising events, public awareness, etc. Rainbow Riders is very open to community or university groups running their own fundraisers of any size for the benefit of Rainbow Riders. We will help with materials and volunteers where possible.
CSR
Rainbow Riders offers Corporate Social Responsibility opportunities.
CSR: “the voluntary activities undertaken by a company to operate in an economic, social and environmentally sustainable manner.”
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Lisa G-K
Volunteer of the Month - November 2021
“I very much enjoy the energy of Rainbow Riders. Mucking stalls, hauling water buckets and pushing wheelbarrows is a great workout. Mainly, it is the interaction with all of the staff, volunteers and participants whom I’ve met that make it a most enjoyable place to share and spend my time.”
Completed forms can be:
Emailed to our Volunteer Coordinators Kaitlyn Mayne and Kanika Kaur:
volunteersrainbowridersnl@gmail.com
Mailed to:
Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Riding Centre
P.O. Box 23199
St. John’s, NL
A1B 4J9
Or dropped off in person at our location at 103 Mt. Scio Road