Volunteers

Horses of Hope is excited to offer Equine Assisted Activities for individuals with special needs and we could not function without dedicated Volunteers. We have opportunities for individuals to give of their time and talents on a regular basis or, if preferred, on an “as needed” basis. You do not need to be an experienced equestrian to volunteer at Horses of Hope. There are some tasks that do require horse experience, but many others do not.

Volunteer opportunities at Horses of Hope include the following:

Hands-On

Lesson Prepper - this could involve, depending on your previous level of equine training, working the horse in the round pen; being a horse handler for the lesson. Or prepare the round pen for the lesson; groom the horse and tack horse for specific riders; be a side walker for lesson.

Feed horses, clean stalls and paddocks.

No Hands-On

Help with Fundraisers, help with coordinating and organizing of events, volunteers and participants. Grant writing, accounting, website maintenance.

The only requirement for being a Volunteer at HoH is your commitment to your commitment to HoH. What does that mean? When you schedule your time to help, whether it be with lesson as a side walker, a horse handler or a groomer or feeder, we need you to stand by that commitment and be there.

HoH’s Volunteer Code of Ethics

(You will need to agree to this and sign this Commitment)

Statement of Intent

The purpose of the Horses of Hope, Inc. Code of Ethics is to provide volunteers with an ethical and responsible framework from which to serve. Volunteers at Horses of Hope, Inc. have a purpose to being invested in maintaining an ethical organization. This includes all aspects of the organization, including the services, organizational structure, and all communication among the volunteers, staff, clients, the public, and the Board.

As a Volunteer, you will:

  1. Listen carefully to Horses of Hope, Inc. staff members.
  2. Respect my fellow volunteers.
  3. Respect and support the decisions of staff and board members in regard to the success of the program.
  4. Keep well informed of developments and policies relevant to my volunteer responsibilities and Horses of Hope Inc. policies.
  5. Participate actively in volunteer trainings and assist other volunteers as they join Horses of Hope, Inc.
  6. Bring to the attention of the Executive Director any issues that you believe will have an adverse effect on the organization or those we serve.
  7. Help curtail any negative conversations or rumor related comments.
  8. Represent all whom this organization serves and refrain from bringing in my personal interests.
  9. Consider yourself as having ownership of the organization and do your best to ensure that it is well maintained – keeping safety and quality in mind.
  10. Always strive to learn how to be a more effective volunteer.

As a Volunteer I will not:

  1. Criticize fellow volunteers and staff members or their opinions.
  2. Use the organization for your personal advantage or that of your friends or relatives.
  3. Discuss confidential issues with anyone not involved with those issues.
  4. Interfere with the duties of staff members or undermine their authority.

Accountability

All volunteers share the responsibility of maintaining the Code of Ethics. This responsibility may include direct one- on-one communication with the person involved in discussion privately, at a larger meeting, or speaking to a staff member. Where repeated attempts have been made to rectify a volunteer’s non-compliance with the Code of Ethics, or where severe violation of the Code of Ethics has occurred, prompt action will be taken to remove the individual.

You also need to understand that all information (written and verbal) regarding participants at this PATH center is confidential and will not be shared with anyone without the express consent of the participants, and, in the case of a minor, their parent/guardian.

Horses of Hope, Inc. will require background checks to receive information from any law enforcement agency, including police department and sheriff’s departments, of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any other state of federal government, to the extent permitted by state and federal law, pertaining to any convictions I may have had for violations of state or federal criminal laws, including, but not limited to, convictions for crimes committed upon children.