Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center to Host Two Volunteer Orientations in August

Loxahatchee, FL-August 2, 2010 – The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting two volunteer orientations for both new and current volunteers. The first orientation will be held Friday, August 6, from 3pm-5pm, and the second orientation will be held Saturday, August 21, from 10am-12pm. The orientation will address VTRC’s practices and procedures as well as the necessary changes for a successful year.

Volunteers are needed to assist with barn chores and lessons throughout the day. The volunteer program is the backbone of VTRC, which includes 17 horses and 100 riders each week, and without those people that generously give of their time the VTRC would cease to exist.

The VTRC consists of over 100 volunteers and each day about 20 volunteers are on site. The Center currently serves clients Monday through Saturday. The VTRC asks that each volunteer be available for one hour per week, but if a volunteer cannot commit to a weekly schedule they are welcome to help with special events such as the Special Olympics, horse shows, and fundraisers.

Prior horse knowledge is not required to be a volunteer, but it is valuable. Anyone may volunteer, but a volunteering parent or guardian must accompany volunteers under the age of 12. The riding sessions are divided into 10-week sessions that coordinate with the public school system. The VTRC depends on volunteers to help groom and tack horses, lead and sidewalk during lessons, help with basic barn work and horse care, and office work.

During the orientation session volunteers will receive a copy of the Volunteer Manual, learn about the VTRC, what the volunteers do and take a tour. They will also learn about issues that are particularly important to the VTRC such as fire drills and confidentiality. Finally, the VTRC sets up different stations for volunteers to learn hands on how to groom, tack, and lead the horses and how to help mount riders.

Orientation slots will fill up quickly please call Barb at 561.236.0982 soon to reserve your slot. Additional orientations will be scheduled as needed throughout the year.

The VTRC is a nonprofit organization based in Loxahatchee, FL, that provides recreational and therapeutic riding instruction to people of all ages with varying developmental, physical, and psychological disabilities. The organization, founded in 1982, assists more than 350 adults and children every year, helping them gain a sense of accomplishment, greater independence, and a higher quality of life. The VTRC has received a “Premier Accreditation” rating from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).

For more information on the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center or to download a volunteer application please visitwww.vinceremos.com or visit us on facebook at www.facebook.com/vinceremos