Volunteering with Seaside 4 Therapeutic Riding
The mission statement of the 50-year-old Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International or PATH, which certifies Seaside 4 Therapeutic Riding, is to continue helping “more than 62,000 children and adults each year . . . with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges find strength and independence through the power of the horse,” and our Pratt Equestrian volunteers with Seaside are an important part of that effort. Team members receive training and volunteer two Saturday mornings per semester.
What Will I Be Doing When I Volunteer?
Our volunteers work as Sidewalkers to "spot" or otherwise assist a rider with a disability by walking alongside him/her while mounted on the horse. They also work as Horse Leaders to lead and assist with controlling the horse during the session, under the direction of the person facilitating the child's mounted exercise and learning. In either position, a volunteer's job is to also be an extra set of hands, eyes and ears to help keep every child's session safe and fun. You'll already be familiar and comfortable with the facility before your first session, since Seaside is also hosted at the Jamaica Bay Riding Academy. The training you'll receive before and during your first volunteer session will also be thorough in its coverage of disabilities awareness, Sidewalking and Horse Leader techniques, and horse and human safety--we promise that you'll quickly become an effective member of the Seaside team!
Your Volunteer Shifts
Sessions are Saturday mornings, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30. At the beginning of each semester, students sign up for the two mornings that will work best for them.
What Will I Be Doing When I Volunteer?
Our volunteers work as Sidewalkers to "spot" or otherwise assist a rider with a disability by walking alongside him/her while mounted on the horse. They also work as Horse Leaders to lead and assist with controlling the horse during the session, under the direction of the person facilitating the child's mounted exercise and learning. In either position, a volunteer's job is to also be an extra set of hands, eyes and ears to help keep every child's session safe and fun. You'll already be familiar and comfortable with the facility before your first session, since Seaside is also hosted at the Jamaica Bay Riding Academy. The training you'll receive before and during your first volunteer session will also be thorough in its coverage of disabilities awareness, Sidewalking and Horse Leader techniques, and horse and human safety--we promise that you'll quickly become an effective member of the Seaside team!
Your Volunteer Shifts
Sessions are Saturday mornings, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30. At the beginning of each semester, students sign up for the two mornings that will work best for them.
