The morning sessions are 8:00AM - NOON, Monday - Thursday. We will be needing 18 volunteers per day to cover the morning shift.

The evening sessions are 3:45PM - 8:00PM, Monday - Thursday. We will be needing 18 volunteers per day to cover the afternoon shift.

We prefer a minimum of a once per week commitment for as long as you are available. These are rain or shine commitments.

Leads - These are the volunteers that are experienced with horses and they will be responsible for leading and controlling the horse during the therapy sessions. In between sessions ranch chores need to be done.

Sidewalkers - These are the volunteers that are not experienced at handling horses. Sidewalkers are responsible to support the child in the saddle and guide them through their therapy sessions as outlined in their evaluation forms. In between sessions ranch chores need to be done.

We request all volunteers be at least 16 years of age unless accompanied by an adult. For safety purposes volunteers cannot bring their smaller children with them while they are volunteering.

A volunteer training session will be held on May 22nd and volunteers should plan on a minimum of 6 hours of training. Volunteers signing up after the program starts in May must complete a 6 hour training session the Friday before their scheduled shift starts.

Volunteer Picnic - Each year we have a volunteer picnic to thank our volunteers for all of their hard work and dedication.  This year we will hold it on August 14th at the ranch.  Our parents and children are encouraged to join us and bring a dish to pass.

If you are interested in volunteering please call Vicki Benson at 952-426-5688 or CJ Pierson at 612-860-1666 and request an application or click here to download an application in .pdf format. You can also down load a brochure on volunteer opportunities by clicking here. Adobe reader is required.

2010 Heroes on Horseback program

Hours are Monday and Thursday 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Friday 8:00 am to noon and Saturday 12:30 to 5 pm

Positions and duties are: 

Leads – must be an experience horse handler.  Bring horses in from the pasture help teach the veterans on how to groom and tack the horse.  Will assist in helping teach the veterans how to do ground games with their horse and will lead and control the horse through the therapy sessions.  Must be able to walk in soft sand for up to 1 hour at a time.

Sidewalkers – Sidewalkers will brace the veteran in the saddle if necessary or if not, walk along side of the veteran and work as spotters.  Must have the body strength to pull a veteran from the saddle in case of an emergency.  Sidewalkers will help relay the instructions from the trainer to the veteran and work with the veteran during the therapy session.  Must be able to walk in soft sand for up to 1 hour at a time.

If you are interested in volunteering please call Craig Swanson at 612-759-1840 or CJ Pierson at 612-860-1666 and request an application or click here to download an application in .pdf format. You can also down load a brochure on volunteer opportunities by clicking here. Adobe reader is required.