Volunteers: What do we do? How do I sign up?

Xenophon’s program could not happen without the help of many volunteers. For our lesson program, each rider requires three volunteers to ensure their safety on the horse and enhance the success of their lesson. Many other aspects of the center’s operations rely on the generosity of helping hands: our fundraisers, maintenance needs around the property, care of our horses, and administrative tasks.

Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center is a labor of love. Volunteers have logged over 15,000 hours since the program’s inception. Volunteers:

  • work with students and horses in the day to day program

  • care for the horses

  • manage and run fundraisers

  • landscape and repair the facility

  • serve on the board of directors

Qualifications:

  • Must be interested in working with youth with disabilities.

  • Must be 14 years of age or older.

  • Must go through the in-person volunteer training.

  • Must be able to walk and jog on uneven ground throughout a 30 minute lesson.

  • Must be able to commit to a regular weekly schedule, for a minimum of 6 weeks.

Our lesson schedule:

Volunteer dependability is essential for running our program smoothly. We ask our volunteers for a weekly commitment to provide consistency for our riders. Our volunteer shifts follow our lesson schedule. Lessons are:

Monday – Thursday afternoons (Therapeutic Riding + Pediatric Therapy Services):

  • Volunteer shifts are from 2:15pm-6:00pm to help with set-up and take down before/after lessons.

  • Lesson times are 3:00pm, 3:45pm, 4:30pm and 5:15pm with 15 minute breaks in between.

  • Volunteering the full 3.75 hour shift is preferred. If you are a middle or high school student and cannot commit to a full volunteer shift, please contact our Volunteer Manager, Rebecca, to discuss a late-start shift, ie 3:30pm-6:00pm, or 4:15-6:00pm.

Saturday mornings (Therapeutic Riding):

  • The volunteer shift is from 8:15am-11:45am to help with set-up and take down before/after lessons.

  • Lesson times 8:45am, 9:30am, 10:15am and 11:00am with 15 minute break in between.

  • Volunteering the full 3.75 hour shift is required.

  • Please note Saturdays are popular for students and those who work full-time, Saturday has its own waitlist. Contact Rebecca for more information.

Monday mornings (Camp Alumni): 

  • The volunteer shift is from 10:00am-12:45pm to help with set-up and take down before/after lesson.

  • Lesson time: 10:30am-12:30pm

  • Volunteering the full 2.75 hour shift is required.

How to get started:

  • Download and complete the 2024 New Volunteer Forms Packet. Please indicate which day(s) are generally best for you to volunteer. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have a parent or guardian co-sign all sections. If you are over 18, you will need to do a background check.

  • Please scan and email the forms to our Volunteer Manager, Rebecca Wernicke, or mail it to the following address:

Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center
P.O. Box 16
Orinda, CA 94563


Volunteer FAQ

What does a volunteer do?

Most of our volunteers help out with lessons. They groom the horses and tack them up. Typically, as an instructor teaches the lesson, one volunteer may lead the horse, while one or two volunteers walk along side. Some of our students don’t need sidewalkers or leaders, in which case the volunteers get a break! At the end of the session, the volunteers put the horses away.

If I were to volunteer, how much time would it take?

It takes three to four hours per session. Our sessions run Monday thru Thursday 2:15 to 5:45 and Saturdays 8:00 to 11:30. We ask that you commit to one day a week, though we do understand that other things come up and you will not be able to make each session. All we ask is that you inform us if you are not able to make it so we can be sure and have enough people to assist.

Do I need to know about horses?

It’s helpful, but not necessary. You can learn as you go – volunteering a great way to learn horsemanship. If you have experience with horses, we’ll need to introduce you to the special techniques of therapeutic riding. Read our handbook to learn more.

If I don’t want to work with the horses, is there anything else I could do?

Yes, there are other opportunities. In addition to our multiple annual events, we also would love some help with landscaping and property maintenance.