Horses for Healing (HFH) seeks volunteers across Northwest Arkansas to help make a positive difference in the lives of children with special needs across the region. HFH’s next session begins Sept. 16. Children will attend therapeutic riding lessons Tuesdays through Fridays for 12 weeks.
HFH provides therapeutic riding lessons to children with special needs which helps them grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. Often children achieve breakthroughs in the saddle that traditional therapies have not been able to accomplish.
Volunteer duties include helping the children make horse-related crafts in a classroom setting and walking alongside the child as they ride. But the volunteer’s greatest impact is the positive influence they build with the children.
“Volunteering at Horses for Healing is a unique and rewarding experience,” said executive director Linda Brown. “Our volunteers see so many positive life changes. We have children who say their first word while riding a horse and some take their first steps because of the physical strength, balance, and coordination they gain from riding. Anyone who loves children will be deeply gratified by the difference they can make by spending as little as three hours a week at Horses for Healing.”
Volunteer orientation classes will be held from 9 a.m until noon on Sept. 2, 3, and 4, as well as from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m on Thursday, Sept. 4. New volunteers must attend only one of these classes. Make up days are available. No horse experience is needed.
Horses for Healing is located at 14673 Daniels Road in Bentonville. For more information contact Lexie Kerr at lexie@horsesforhealingnwa.org or visit the organization online.