Volunteers
Our volunteers are superstars!
Our volunteers are vital to the success of the Never Say Never program. They are trained first, and then serve as leaders, sidewalkers and horse handlers. Volunteers monitor safety during grooming, tacking and riding, and offer encouragement to the participants. They care for the horses and ponies and take on many chores around the barn. Our volunteers share in all the successes of our participants and contribute greatly to their joy in being here. We are blessed with a fantastic group of dedicated and caring people.
What Makes A Good Volunteer?
- Physically able to walk for 20-30 minutes at a time
- Comfortable working with children and teens with illness, or other life challenges
- No fear of horses
- At least 16 years of age
- Reliable and dependable
- Compassionate and caring
If you think you’d like to volunteer and make a major impact on the lives of children and teens, please contact us! You can get started by filling out our Volunteer Application Form.
Here’s what some of our volunteers have to say about their experiences here at Never Say Never:
"Never Say Never is an outstanding place where people of all ages can come to relax and forget about their troubles for at least a little while. Having family members who have lived through Cancer and other horrible diseases I know the importance of equine companionship in rebuilding their spirit. Horses have extraordinary healing traits that can lift the morale of anyone feeling down. As the volunteer coordinator I am proud of all of the volunteers and am especially impressed with the hard work and dedication shown by all. Janice Hyde has created an unbelievable program that will benefit anyone in need."
-Kate K., NSN Volunteer Coordinator
“Volunteering at NSN gives me the escape I need from the pressures and stress of everyday life. When I am there working with the horses, I feel very calm and think of nothing else. Knowing that I am working at NSN so that children and teens will also have a chance to escape their everyday lives and have a chance to interact with the horses and can feel the way I feel when I'm there, just makes it that much more rewarding for me.”
-Terry R., NSN HorseHandler
"Whether I am helping out with cleaning stalls or grooming horses, or helping children feel comfortable around the horses and ponies, I feel satisfied knowing that I am contributing to the success of a much needed program. I enjoy introducing the children to our equine staff. There are so many children and teens that have never even been around a horse, and when they come to NSN, you can see the joy and wonder in their eyes and know that you have made a huge difference in their lives. I know it's made a huge difference in my own life."
