We simply could not fulfill our mission without the support of dedicated CATR Volunteers!

Our primary volunteer roles are as horse leaders or sidewalkers in our therapeutic riding program. To learn more about these roles, see our Volunteer Opportunities page. If you are interested in volunteering for the therapeutic riding program, please complete a Confidential Volunteer Application Form and return to the office via email, fax or mail. When we receive your application, a CATR staff member will contact you to register for an upcoming training. Please read over CATR's Volunteer Handbook ahead of your scheduled training.

Trainings are typically held in August and January and may be added on an as-needed basis throughout the year. We begin collecting applications for these trainings months in advance, so please submit your application as soon as possible to help ensure space in the training.

Completing an application is the first step toward becoming a CATR program volunteer! If you have questions about our application process, please contact Kenna Brookshire, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteers@catr-program.org.

Have a special skill you would like to volunteer to share with CATR? Maybe you are a tech guru, fantastic photographer or would like to help with special events? Please email us at volunteers@catr-program.org to discuss our current needs for volunteers in these areas.

Corporate, military, community and school groups make a meaningful contribution to our students by participating in half-day or full-day group volunteer projects that help to keep our farm accessible and beautiful. Past projects have included painting fences or barn exterior, facility clean up, exhaust fan installation, stall leveling and event set-up. For most of these opportunities, no special training is required.

• Please email us at volunteers@catr-program.org to discuss current group volunteer opportunities. It is helpful if your e-mail inquiry can include the following information:

• Name of group and approximate number of volunteers

• How did you hear about us and why would your group like to come to CATR?

• Time frame - both scheduling availability (days of the week) and how long you would like your group to volunteer (number of hours)

• Age range of volunteers: for youth groups, we require one adult on-site chaperone for every 5 youth

• Any special skill set members of your group might have

• Any special goals or needs your group has

• Do you have any funding available to support expenses related to a volunteer project at the farm? (i.e. past groups have purchased painting supplies)

  Thank you for your interest! We hope to see you soon!

CATR is so grateful to the many volunteers who help make our programs possible! While we can never thank volunteers enough for the time, energy, skill and passion that they share with our students, we DO try to give back to our volunteers throughout the year in several ways, including training and education relevant to current volunteer roles at CATR.

Initially, all CATR program volunteers are asked to attend a general Orientation and Sidewalker Training, where we introduce potential volunteers to our mission, student population and horses. We also discuss risk management and go through hands-on sidewalking practice in the arena.

After attending an Orientation and Sidewalker Training, volunteers with prior horse experience are able to attend a Horse Leader Training, so that they can learn the protocols for handling horses for students during CATR lessons. The goal of this training is to ensure consistent handling for program horses, helping to support their happiness at work and safety for all.

In addition to these two initial offerings, CATR offers Volunteer Enrichment throughout the year. Past offerings have included: Awareness Training for Working with Students with Disabilities, Advanced Horse Leader Training, Understanding Vision Impairment and more. We always welcome suggestions from current volunteers about enrichments they would like to see offered at CATR! To make a suggestion or for information about upcoming volunteer enrichments, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Kenna Brookshire, at volutneers@catr-program.org.

The Volunteer Auxiliary is a team of experienced CATR volunteers that exists to support and promote CATR. Auxiliary members meet twice a year as a group to help plan and provide insight into CATR's volunteer program and outreach opportunities. Auxiliary members are asked to support CATR at two events (or more!) each year, which includes setting up for special events and attending volunteer fairs and community outreach events.

Thank you to the Auxiliary for their amazing level of commitment to CATR!

Are you a current volunteer who would like to become a member of CATR's Volunteer Auxiliary? Please email Kenna Brookshire to discuss your interest.