True Strides Volunteer Handbook

10509 108th St. N.W. Annandale, MN 55302 | 952.852.0101 | 800.450.8376 | VolunteerServices@TrueFriends.org | TrueFriends.org

Camp Courage Camp Friendship Camp Eden Wood Camp Courage North Camp New Hope Maple Lake Annandale Eden Prairie Lake George McGregor

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Table of Contents TRUE STRIDES VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK

Welcome to Holland ............................................................................................................................................................... 3

What is therapeutic riding? ................................................................................................................................................. 5

Volunteering with True Strides ......................................................................................................................................... 6

Volunteer Reporting Structure .......................................................................................................................................... 6

Logistics of Volunteering ...................................................................................................................................................... 7

Horse Leader Volunteer Responsibilities ...................................................................................................................... 8

If you are a Horse Leader Volunteer… ............................................................................................................................ 9

Side Walker Volunteer Responsibilities ...................................................................................................................... 10

Expectations ........................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Life from the perspective of a Therapy Horse .......................................................................................................... 12

Tips on Interacting with Riders ...................................................................................................................................... 13

Barn Safety .............................................................................................................................................................................. 14

Emergency Procedures ...................................................................................................................................................... 14

Severe Weather Procedure ............................................................................................................................................... 14

Medical Incident / Emergency Procedure.................................................................................................................. 15

Fire Procedure ....................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Cancellation Policy ............................................................................................................................................................... 16

Volunteer Absence Policy .................................................................................................................................................. 16

Wheelchair Safety & Tips .................................................................................................................................................. 17

Volunteering Recognition & Incentives ....................................................................................................................... 18

September 14

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Welcome to Holland

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with disability - to try to help people who

have not shared that unique experience to imagine how it would feel.

It is like this...

When you're going to have a baby, it is like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a

bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The

Gondolas of Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It is all very exciting.

After months of anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bag and off you go. Several hours

later the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, 'Welcome to Holland'. 'Holland? ' you say.

'What do you mean Holland? I signed up for Italy! ! ! I am supposed to be in Italy. All my life I have

dreamed of going to Italy! '.

But there has been a change in flight plan, they have landed in Holland and there you must stay. The

important thing is that they have not taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence,

famine and disease. It is just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a new language. And you will meet a

whole new group of people you would never have met before. It is just a different place. It's slower

paced than Italy. It's less flashy than Italy. But after you have been there for a while and you catch

your breath, you look around and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland has tulips,

and Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy and they are all bragging about what a

wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, 'Yes, that is where I was

supposed to go, That's where I had planned'.

And the pain of that will never, ever go away, because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss,

but if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't go to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy

the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.

Written by Emily Perl Kingsley (in 1987)

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WELCOME to True Strides and THANK YOU for dedicating your time to “Provide life-

changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults

with disabilities.”

True Strides is a therapeutic horsemanship program offered through the non-profit agency

True Friends. Connecting with and riding a horse, participants gain physical, mental, social

and emotional skill development in a unique setting while having an unforgettable

experience.

We are very excited to have you as a volunteer! Your commitment and support will make a

difference for many. As a volunteer, you will be interacting with our riders and learning

what makes True Strides a great experience for many individuals. Your future with True

Strides / True Friends has great potential; keep in mind most of our leadership staff began

as volunteers. Being part of this experience is beneficial for everyone involved, from riders

to animals, and we’re glad you’re here.

We always want your volunteer experience with True Strides to be positive. To make sure

that happens, communication is key. From us, you will receive an e-newsletter each

season with camp highlights, volunteer spotlights, and current volunteer opportunities

(remember they are first-come, first-served, so apply early to get the dates you want). You

will have multiple opportunities to provide feedback as part of your volunteer experience.

We have a Facebook community where you can connect with other volunteers, as well as

the Volunteer Services department. You will receive letters and postcards not only from

staff, but also from riders – they’re also thankful for your service!

This handbook is to provide understanding as to what you’ll need to do to be a successful

volunteer. After reading through the handbook, if you are unclear on any of the

information, please contact Volunteer Services.

In friendship,

Conor S. McGrath, MPA

Volunteer & Internship Services

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What is therapeutic riding? The three-dimensional movement of a horse gently and rhythmically moves a rider in a manner similar to the human walking gait. For a person who can't walk, if feels like walking, and inspires the muscles and the mind to make gains towards walking. Therapeutic riding:

Exercises and strengthens weak muscles in all parts of the body Relaxes and stretches spastic muscles Assists in the development of coordination, balance and muscle control

Program participants-many for the first time-discover a sense of independence and freedom. Riding provides a tremendous boost to riders and helps them address their emotional as well as physical needs. Riders often experience:

Greater confidence Enhanced emotional control Higher self-esteem

Extended concentration Improved self-discipline

Candidates for therapeutic riding Many individuals with mild to severe neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction can benefit from therapeutic riding. It’s also beneficial to others with physical and mental disorders. However, it is not for everyone. Specially-trained health professionals must evaluate each potential participant on an individual basis. General medical conditions which may respond well to therapeutic riding include, but are not limited to:

Cerebral Palsy Learning/language disabilities Down Syndrome Developmental delay Traumatic brain injury Cerebral vascular accident

Autism or Asperger’s Hearing impairment Multiple sclerosis Visual impairments Functional spinal curvature

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Volunteering with True Strides True Strides volunteers must be:

At least 16 years old Comfortable working with horses and individuals with a wide range of abilities Committed to honoring their scheduled shifts. Without volunteers, a rider cannot ride.

Volunteers must understand that this is important to the success and goals of each rider. Comfortable engaging in this physical activity

Positive and helpful Committed to adhering to company policies Able to arrive 15 minutes prior to start of each lesson Willing to be flexible & adapt to different situations

Volunteer Reporting Structure

Side Walker Volunteers

Horse Leader

Volunteers

Farm Staff

Instructor / Director of True Strides

Director of Volunteer & Internship Services

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Logistics of Volunteering Commitment Volunteers are encouraged to commit to one and one-half hour lesson per week (or every other week), preferably the same time each week. Consistency helps develop and build a strong effective team. Volunteer Log You will log-in to our online volunteer portal when you arrive at the farm to keep track of your hours spent at True Strides Team Sheets You will find information about each rider in the rider team sheet binder. The rider team sheet will describe the rider, their needs, goals, and behaviors. The horse team sheet will describe the horse personalities, likes and dislikes. Please read the team sheet carefully before class. Always ask questions if you have them! Attendance On occasion, there may be a situation where your rider does not show up or does not cancel in advance. While we apologize for the inconvenience, we may need your help with other riders or activities. Your flexibility will be truly appreciated. There may be times when you have a conflict in your schedule. Please call True Strides asap or email volunteerservices@truestrides.org, at least 24 hours before the lesson so that we are able to arrange another volunteer to fill your position. It will make a difference in a rider being able to participate in a lesson. Arrival at the Farm Arrive 15 minutes before scheduled lesson. Stop in at the volunteer check-in table:

1. Find your name tag 2. Check who your horse and rider team is 3. Read lesson plan 4. Check leader board for further instruction

Prepare yourself

Clear yourself-take a breath! Where is your horse? If yours is in use you may be needed in the arena to help switch out

tack or bring horses in or out Prepare your horse

Always approach at the neck or shoulder and announce yourself as a courtesy to the horse Does he need tack? -If so, check the arena board for tack assignments. Ask for help if

unsure. The girth/cinch should be put on slowly. Cinch/girth the horse just snug enough to stop the

saddle from falling off if he shakes. You should be able to easily slide a hand between the girth and the horse.

If leading a horse in/out of a stall, the stall door must be completely open Always be aware of aisle traffic When entering the arena-Leave the door open and ask someone else to shut it. Clear yourself- it is time for you to work as a team. Take a breath and focus on your horse.

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Horse Leader Volunteer Responsibilities

Requirements

1. Volunteers should be at least 16 years of age

2. Volunteers must be physically and emotionally strong, mentally alert, creative and flexible

3. Volunteers must be motivated to work with individuals with disabilities and animals

environment

Responsible to

Volunteer Coordinator & Director of True Strides

Responsibilities

A leader's primary responsibility is to respectfully and mindfully ensure the safety and control of

the horse. As a volunteer, one of the most challenging duties you could be assigned is the position

of Horse Leader. You will provide real therapeutic input to your rider, as well as make it safe for

them to have fun riding.

To keep therapy horses happy, True Strides has horse handling procedures for all Horse Leaders.

This means the same cues are done the same way from everyone, every time. Your first

responsibility is the horse, but you must be aware of the rider, instructor, side walkers, and other

hazards in the arena. If there is a situation, stay with your horse. Listen for the instructor's

direction.

Additional Responsibilities

Be consistent and mindful at all times.

Be able to adapt to any situation and always make choices for the wellbeing of the horse.

When leading during the lesson, the leader must serve only as an aid. The rider should have

as much control of the horse as he or she is capable of maintaining.

The leader should hold the lead rope with enough length of line to allow for the natural

motion of the horse's head while maintaining control.

To speed up a slow horse, make clucking sounds and walk faster with short tugs of the lead

rope.

To slow down a speeding horse, use short tugs on the lead rope and walk more slowly.

In case of an emergency, do not allow the horse to get away and run loose. Stay with your

horse. The instructor will let you know if you should stay in the center of the arena or put

your horse in stall/paddock.

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If you are a Horse Leader Volunteer… Leading Your horse depends on you for clarity and consistency for your horse and your riders. Your rider depends on you for a safe ride. Please ensure you:

Prepare yourself Never enter the arena/barn and make any negative comments about a horse. Such as “Are

you crabby?” Position yourself between the head and shoulder Walk with your head up looking forward. Chest open. Walk with purpose. Use soft eyes. Prepare your horse for every request Half-halt your transitions Walk with a consistent rhythm Hold the lead rope in your right hand 6-12 inches from the snap, allowing free motion of the

horse's head. The remaining rope should be folded into a figure eight in the left hand. Talk to the horse in known commands like “whoa, walk, trot.”Most communication is non-

verbal; your body language and energy speaks louder than your voice. If you are lazy and inattentive, the horse will be too. Never try to stop a horse with your shoulder or body RAMP: The horse should be square when rider mounts. Once horse has halted, DO NOT

TURN or step. This motion is telling the horse to move. Walk away from ramp in a big, gentle turn.

If you lead, the horse will be happy to walk with you!

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Side Walker Volunteer Responsibilities

Requirements

1. Volunteers should be at least 16 years of age

2. Volunteers must be physically and emotionally strong, mentally alert, creative and flexible

3. Volunteers must be motivated to work with individuals with disabilities and animals

environment

Responsible to

Volunteer Coordinator & Director of True Strides

Responsibilities

A side walker's primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of the rider from the time the rider

arrives until he or she leaves the facility.

Side walkers should:

Greet the rider upon arrival and supervise them until they are back in the care of their

caregiver.

Watch the rider carefully when working around the horse.

Place yourself between the horse and your rider when passing the horse.

Ensure riders do not kneel next to the horse to clean or brush the horse's hooves.

Allow the horse leader to communicate the horse’s needs to instructor, and supervise your

rider, keeping them safe.

During mounting and dismounting, only assist the instructor if asked.

Be aware of the leader at all times. Anticipate problems and be prepared to assist to

maintain safety without taking the challenge of the lesson away from the rider.

Assist the rider during class as directed by the instructor.

Do not complete a task for the rider. Allow mistakes to be made. If you have a question

about the rider's objectives, ask the instructor for clarification.

When there are two side walkers, designate one of you to direct the leader. Too much input from

volunteers can be confusing.

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Expectations

SAFETY IS YOUR PRIMARY CONCERN WHILE YOU ARE VOLUNTEERING

Tips to get you ready

1. Prepare yourself and allow yourself to have safe fun.

2. Prepare your horse.

3. Approach your horse with a positive energy.

4. Use a confident voice, body posture and facial expression when interacting with

your horse

5. Cluck only if you want the horse to move forward: never to come towards you, pick

up feet, etc.

6. Be consistent with respecting the horse's space.

7. Be consistent expecting the horse to respect your space.

8. Keep lead soft and light, not tight and pulling. Use intermittent pressure if needed to

encourage movement. Never pull with steady pressure.

Things to Avoid

1. Looking at your horse in the eye or stare at them when there is a behavioral issue.

2. Petting the horses or allowing other volunteers to pet the horses. Petting is

reserved for the riders. You can pet your horse when they are done and out of their

work space!

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Life from the perspective of a Therapy Horse

Imagine yourself in the shoes of your horse: I have more than a dozen handlers per day.

Many people that handle me I’ve never met before.

o Some I do not like, trust, or respect.

Some of my handlers are still gaining their experience.

Everyone asks me to do things differently.

o This makes me confused and on edge.

o Sometimes I try too hard and get easily frustrated.

o Everyone expects something different.

Some leaders want me to walk fast, others slow. Should I listen to the leader, the rider, or the

instructor?

Inconsistent Handling Practices Result in:

Behavior:

biting

pinned ears

tense back

swishing tail

elevated head and neck

not willing to walk/trot

Physical:

ulcers

not eating

soreness

irritability

shortened stride

Kicking

Consistent handling allows your horse to have trust, confidence and respect in everyone who

works with him.

Tips on Interacting with Riders Ask, Ask, Ask…

The only way to start finding out what you don’t know is to ask.

Ask a staff if you have a question about something. If the question is about a disability, the person

with the disability may be able and willing to answer it. Other staff members may have worked

with certain individuals before and may have ideas on how to deal with situations that may arise.

When planning activities, you can ask your riders what they would like to do; you do not always

have to assume.

You are in charge of your own learning and growth. If you don’t understand something, ask questions

to discover the answer. If you are not comfortable asking your work mates, seek out a person with a

leadership role. See “Volunteer Reporting Structure” for assistance.

Encourage Everyone

When riders come to the farm, they are experiencing new people and a new environment. This can be

overwhelming, and at first they may be reluctant to try new things, but gentle encouragement on

the volunteer’s part may help. Some people require more encouragement or more time to feel

comfortable with things. It is important to maintain an encouraging attitude!

Setting the Trend

Teach by example. If we speak in a positive and cheerful tone, others will often do the same. Model

the behavior you want to see from the riders. If you want someone to have a positive attitude of

cooperation, make sure you are modeling it.

Respect

Everything starts with language. At True Strides, we always use people first language; this sets the

tone for everything we do. Always speak as if the riders understand what you are saying, regardless

of the level of their ability. Talk to the person who is deaf even though they cannot hear you; they

will read your body language and this will tell them a lot. Use gestures and sign language as

appropriate.

Offer help when needed

Riders should be encouraged to be as independent as possible. If we encourage riders to be

independent and support them in the areas where they need help, they will gain greater self esteem

and feel supported. Take guidance from your instructor to ensure safe practices.

Adapting Activities

The emphasis should be on cooperation versus competition. Use of adaptations and partial

participation allows everyone to enjoy the activity. Adapting an activity can be as simple as slowing

a game down, changing the rules to be open to all ability levels, or changing the equipment that you

use, like wrapping masking tape around the handle of a paint brush so that it is easier to grasp the

handle. Ask or observe a staff to get ideas.

Barn Safety

1. Riders and parents/caregivers must stay in the specified area until the side walkers and/or

instructors are ready for riders to mount.

2. Riders must have their side walkers with them in the arena. Riders are never to be left alone.

3. No treats may be given to any horse. No feeding of any kind is allowed.

4. All children must be supervised by an adult. We kindly ask volunteers not to bring children.

5. Running near the horses is not allowed. Sudden movements can spook the horses.

6. Climbing on anything is prohibited.

7. No pets are allowed except companion/assistance animals.

Emergency Procedures

If there is an emergency during a lesson:

1. All horses will be halted.

2. All leaders will position themselves on the left side of the horse.

3. All side walkers will stabilize their riders.

4. The instructor will verbalize or personally supervise the dismounting procedures.

5. If circumstances require the evacuation of the arena, the riders will be escorted out first by

their side walkers to a place of safety. The leaders will then evacuate the horses to an

appropriate place.

6. The instructor will determine if medical personnel are required and will request assistance

in contacting specific personnel.

Severe Weather Procedure

Depending on the forecast, mounted activities may be canceled for summer programming if:

there are extreme temperatures

there is a tornado warning

there are high winds

there is thunder and lightning, or heavy rain

It can dangerous to have mounted activities occurring, even in an indoor arena.

If sudden severe weather occurs, the following will take place:

All mounted activities will come to an end and all riders will be promptly dismounted and

escorted by their side walkers to the indoor classroom space.

Riders will participate in horsemanship activities in the classroom space until weather

passes and it is safe to return to activities.

All horse leaders will take the horses into the barn area of the facility and put each horse in

a stall and untack each horse.

All horse leaders will be sure the horses have water

All horse leaders will return the tack to the designated location in the tack room.

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Medical Incident / Emergency Procedure

In the event of a medical incident/emergency during programming the following steps should be

put into action.

During mounted activities:

All horse leaders must bring their horses to a halt and all side walkers must securely hold

their rider.

The instructor will attend to the rider with the medical issue and side walkers may be asked

to assist in a rapid dismount.

Once the rider is safely on the ground, the horse leader will move the horse and one side

walker volunteer will go get the emergency box.

The camp nurse will be radioed. (from radio in the emergency box)

If 911 needs to be called, follow the instructions for making a 911 call.

During un-mounted activities:

Make camper comfortable and send someone to get the emergency box.

Radio the camp nurse

If 911 needs to be called, follow the instructions for making a 911 call

Fire Procedure

If a fire occurs during mounted activities, the following will occur:

All horses will be halted and all riders immediately dismounted

One side walker will be designated to call 911 and follow the instructions for making a 911

call

All side walkers will escort their riders out of the farm through a safe exit and either

proceed down the driveway and up the road towards camp, meeting in the farm driveway

OR, if that exit is not accessible, out the barn door and far away from the building

All horse leaders will lead their horses out of the arena through a safe exit and walk them

down the driveway and up the road towards camp and up the farm driveway to the old

barn where they will be untacked and turned out in the pasture.

Any horses in stalls, the instructor will designate volunteers to evacuate

If a fire occurs during un-mounted programming or while the classroom/lounge space is occupied

the following will occur:

Everyone will exit the facility in a calm manner through a safe exit

They will either proceed down the driveway and up the road towards camp and meet in the

farm driveway OR out the farm door and far away from the building.

All horse leaders will lead their horses out of the arena through a safe exit and walk them

down the driveway and up the road towards camp and up the farm driveway to the old

barn where they will be turned out in the pasture.

Any horses in stalls, the instructor will designate volunteers to evacuate

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Cancellation Policy

True Strides will cancel Therapeutic Riding lessons and classes in the event of:

Temperature extremes

Tornado warnings

Thunder storms, heavy rain or wind

Winter storms

Unsafe driving conditions

Why do we cancel for some of the reasons listed?

We view our equine staff as the foundation of our program. They are living, breathing individuals

with their own personalities. While the True Strides human staff have worked with our equine staff

to help them be unflappable in all situations, a horse by nature is unpredictable. The loud noise of

thunder, driving rain or high winds poses a safety risk.

How will you know if there is a cancellation?

Riders, participants and volunteers are asked to call True Strides if weather is uncertain. If classes

are canceled, True Strides staff will contact you via phone or email.

Volunteer Absence Policy

Consideration for True Strides riders and staff is greatly appreciated. Volunteers must call True

Strides as soon as possible when you know you are going to miss a lesson.

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Wheelchair Safety & Tips

A wheelchair is not a toy. It is a personal piece of equipment for the person using it.

1. Do not sit in a person’s wheelchair.

2. Ask the person how the wheelchair works. Find out what accessories the wheelchair has

(i.e. removable armrests and footrests, brakes, seat belt). If the person is unable to

communicate on their own, ask their caregiver upon arrival.

3. Ask the participant how he/she would like to be pushed in the wheelchair. Do not try to

impose unfamiliar ways of doing things. If the participant can move the chair

independently, allow him/her to do so.

4. If a person has a seat belt on his/her wheelchair, it should be worn at all times (EXCEPT

WHEN ON THE WATERFRONT, POOLSIDE, OR ON A BOAT).

5. When pushing someone who uses a wheelchair downhill, turn around and walk backwards

down the hill so that your body is in front of the wheelchair. If you lose your grip, your body

will stop the wheelchair from rolling down the hill. Likewise, if you are going up a hill –

push the chair while walking forward – DO NOT PULL THE CHAIR UP A HILL WHILE

WALKING BACKWARDS.

6. Do not run with a wheelchair.

7. Do not rest your weight on the wheelchair.

8. Never ride on the back of a wheelchair while pushing.

9. Help the rider keep their chair clean. Wipe up spills and during rest hour or any time when

the person is out of their chair. Take the time to clean the chair with bleach water.

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Volunteering Recognition & Incentives Volunteers play an essential role in enabling the mission of True Friends. They contribute to all aspects of the organization and help us improve our quality of service year after year. We know many of the benefits of volunteering at True Friends are intangible: gaining knowledge, friendship, self-development and learning new skills; however, we want to make this a tangible and transferable gift to our volunteers by providing the following incentives. True Friends is a Certified Organization with the President’s Volunteer Service Award program. The PVSA program was created as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. Participating in this program allows us to recognize our volunteers with the highest of honors for your commitment to serving the community through your service with True Friends. PVSA CRITERIA Any individual, family or group that meets the program’s criteria can receive Presidential recognition for volunteer hours served over a 12-month period or over the course of a lifetime. Criteria for recognition are:

Recipients must be United States citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States.

Awards are issued for service hours served within a 12-month time period or over the course of a lifetime.

Awards are issued for volunteer service only. Additional levels of participation with the organization, i.e. charitable support, are not a factor considered for the award.

Court-ordered community service does not qualify for the award. GOLD AWARD ELIGIBILITY To be awarded the PVSA Gold Award, you must meet the service hour minimum standards dependent on your age group as outlined below:

- Kids (ages 5-14): 100 hours or more - Young Adults (ages 15-25): 250 hours or more - Adults (ages 26+): 500 hours or more - Family & Groups: 1000 hours or more

GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS WILL RECEIVE

- Personalized Certificate (with individual’s name) - Lapel Pin, gold - Congratulatory Letter from the President of the United States

True Friends’ Volunteer Services Department will keep track of volunteers’ hours and

notify those who quality for PVSA recognition.

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Thank you!

Your time and commitment to True Strides Therapy Horses is a great gift. Thank you for being an important part of our team. Through your generous support, we are able to provide our riders with rewarding and life-changing experiences. We cannot do this

without you.

We hope that your experience will be as rewarding as the gift you are giving to our riders. If there is anything that we can do to make your volunteer experience more fulfilling,

please let us know.

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10509 108th St. N.W. Annandale, MN 55302 | 952.852.0101 | 800.450.8376 | VolunteerServices@TrueFriends.org | TrueFriends.org

Camp Courage Camp Friendship Camp Eden Wood Camp Courage North Camp New Hope Maple Lake Annandale Eden Prairie Lake George McGregor

The meaning behind our logo

The center figure represents individuals with disabilities. The wheelchair is purposely subtle because True Friends see the person first, not the disability. Blue and green colors represent the lakes and trees of our camps – a distinctive environment where our programs take place. The two figures on either side, and the two colors in the name represent the two legacy organizations coming together to support people with disabilities. It also shows one of the goals of our programs – creating friendships