I have been volunteering at Willow Ridge for about a year, and you won't find a more caring place to bring your child to hippotherapy. I've read some of the negative reviews, and I have to say those experiences have not been mine or the other volunteers who have been helping for several years. Pam, the director, is passionate about keeping her students, the horses, the parents, and her volunteers safe at all times. I found that most of the time when there's an issue, it's because the volunteer hasn't read the handbook that Pam provides to every volunteer and is not following the safety protocols that Pam has put into place. Pam is very clear when you reach out to her to ask about volunteering, what your responsibilities will be, and that safety for all is a top priority. She is dependent upon the volunteers showing up. And, yes, there's a lot of work involved, such as leading, side walking, saddling the horses, barn maintenance, cleaning up after the horses, walking through mud and water in the corrals to bring the horses in, and maybe getting rid of a dead mouse or two! You're at a BARN. Horses poop inside, and it has to be cleaned up. But NO ONE works harder than Pam. She's constantly mucking out stalls while the horses are out, watching over lessons and interacting with the parents and kids (who love her), working on fundraising to pay the neverending bills for the care and upkeep of the horses, land, and buildings. Owning horses is expensive and takes a lot of time and work. I have seen how effective this program is for disabled riders. A therapeutic riding facility takes a lot of hands to be successful. If you're willing to work hard, want to be around horses, want to meet some wonderful like-minded volunteers, and are truly interested in helping special needs riders, then reach out. We'd love to have you join us! read more
