VOLUNTEER MANUAL
Chris Patella, Director
Therapeutic Recreation Center
19 Hazel Terrace
Woodbridge, CT 06525
(203) 804-5343
info@animalassistedtherapyservices.org
The mission of Animal Assisted Therapy Services
(AaTs) is to provide persons with physical, cognitive,
psychosocial, and emotional disabilities the opportunity to
experience the power of the human/animal bond as
therapeutic intervention thus promoting lifelong health
and wellness. AaTs is dedicated to training, research, and
education in this emerging field of Recreational Therapy.
Introduction
Welcome! Thank you for volunteering with Animal Assisted Therapy
Services. Volunteers serve a vital role in this organization. We truly value our
outstanding dedicated and well-educated volunteer corps!! As a volunteer, your
support enables us to reach out to an enormously diverse population of participants.
Your compassion and gift of time add important dimension to their lives that will
undoubtedly have long-term impact.
In addition, it is the countless hours and endless skills that our volunteers
bring to this organization that help us continue to function and grow in so many
ways. Whether you are involved in the care and training of our animals, stable
management during programs, event planning and execution, office tasks,
marketing and promotion...it all ensures that AaTs continues to be a growing
organization that contributes health, wellness, and goodness to our community.
We welcome you as a member! You will meet many families and individuals
whose lives continue to be enriched through your efforts. You are deeply
appreciated!
This manual is designed to acquaint you with Animal Assisted Therapy
Services and will serve as a continuing guide and resource. Should you have any
questions or concerns regarding your volunteer role, please feel free to speak with
us!
Program Operations and Cancellations
Animal Assisted Therapy Services generally offers six-week sessions and
operates year-round offering day, evening, and weekend programs. We ask that
volunteers commit to a minimum six-week session to maximize continuity for
participants.
In the event a program must be cancelled due to inclement weather, please
tune into NBC News Channel 3, or WTNH News Channel 8 for announcements.
In the event a participant, or instructor must cancel for illness or other
circumstances, every attempt will be made to notify volunteers at least two hours
prior to the class.
Should a volunteer need to cancel for illness or an emergency, please notify
the volunteer coordinator via phone, text message, or email as soon as possible so a
replacement may be found.
Purpose of the Volunteer Orientation
In order to provide the safest and most enjoyable environment possible, all
new volunteers are required to attend this orientation. Children under 18 years
must be accompanied by a parent. Topics covered during the orientation are:
1. Introduction to the mission of Animal Assisted Therapy Services (AaTs).
2. Introduction to the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship,
International (PATH, International) and Delta Society/Pet Partners.
3. Introduction to volunteer opportunities within the AaTs organization and our
Therapeutic Recreation Center.
4. Introduction to the clientele we serve and how equine and/or canine therapy
interventions can help.
5. Volunteer physical considerations, confidentiality policy, dress code, conduct and
behavior, safety awareness.
6. Emergency situations and procedures.
7. Identification of special skills, schedule availability, and program preferences.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KEEP IN MIND!
FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY!

Please remember TRC and the farms are NO SMOKING FACILITIES! There is
no smoking anywhere on the premises at any time.

We ask that cell phones and car alarms be turned off at all times. They
disrupt the class and can startle horses thus creating unsafe situations.

Please use a quiet voice at all times while in the barn, arena, and working
around the horses.

Please do not offer food at any time to participants. Many have medical
conditions that could result in serious injury.

You are welcome to bring treats for the horses. Please do not hand feed! This
can lead to nipping and biting. Treats will be placed in the horse's feed
bucket by the barn captain.

Please do not bring personal pets to the farm.
The animals, participants, instructors, and volunteers make a
unique therapeutic team providing opportunity for physical,
emotional, social, recreational, and educational gains!
Volunteer Roles in the Therapeutic Riding Class
Dress Code
1. Polo shirt. (AaTs and Miles Hill Farm shirts are available for sale.)
2. Long pants, preferably riding pants, jeans, or khakis.
3. Sturdy boots.
Barn Captain: Please arrive one hour before lesson.

Supervise/assist bringing horses in from paddocks.

Supervise/assist horse leaders gathering grooming buckets, saddle pads,
saddles, bridles, lunging attachments, lead line, etc.

Supervise horse leaders while grooming and tacking horses.

Supervise horse leaders while un-tacking, grooming/bathing horses at the
end of the lesson.

Supervise/assist horse leaders in cleaning tack, bit, and putting equipment
away.

Supervise/assist returning horses to paddocks/stalls.

Responsible for additional specialized grooming such as pulling manes,
trimming whiskers and fetlocks, applying thrush medication or hoof
moisturizer.
Horse Leader: Please arrive one hour before lesson.

Bring assigned horse from paddock.

Gather grooming bucket, saddle pad, saddle, bridle, lunging attachment, lead
line.

Groom and tack horse.

Warm up horse at walk, trot, and canter for 15-20 minutes prior to the
lesson.

Lead horse during class always monitoring the horse for safety. Assist in
stirrup adjustment for participant prior to mounting.

Untack, groom/bathe horse after class.

Clean tack, wash bit and return all equipment to proper storage area.

Return horse to paddock/stall.

Sweep barn aisle.
Side Walker: Please arrive 10 minutes before lesson.

Greet participant and parent/guardian.

Assist with helmet fitting , clothing/footwear safety check.

Escort participant to mounting area/assist instructor in mounting process.

Assist participant during class to execute exercises/body position/safety
awareness.

Side walker may reinforce instructor's directions with verbal, sign language
or picture card cues.

Assist in dismount process. Feet are out of stirrups. Participant must remain
on the horse until instructor arrives for dismount.

Escort participant from the arena to parent/guardian.

Assist instructor to put away equipment after class. Pick manure from the
arena.
Volunteer Role in the Canine Class
Assistant Trainers: Please schedule regular weekly time with the dog.

Conduct practice training sessions with dog.

Bathe/brush dogs.
Assistant Handler: Please arrive 10 minutes before the class.

Assist participant to bring dog to designated area in the classroom.

Assist participant to execute instructor's directions during class.

Restock treat pouch for participant when needed.

Assist participant to converse and socially interact with clients during
community visits.
Additional Supportive Volunteer Roles
In addition to the volunteer role in lessons and classes, there are many other
opportunities to support the overall organization. Listed below are examples of
important "behind the scenes" work that help Animal Assisted Therapy Services
continue to thrive and grow.

Fundraising Committees

Special Event Planning

Grant Development

Accounting assistance

Legal assistance

Marketing and Publicity

Public Speaking

Website/Facebook updates

Board of Directors

Office assistance

Farm maintenance
If you have a special talent in any area, please let us know! This organization cannot
continue to exist without a solid core of volunteer support. Thank you!
AND THERE'S MORE....
Animal Assisted Therapy Services and the Beth Patella Center for Music joined
forces in May, 2013 to create a new entity, the Therapeutic Recreation Center
(TRC).

Early Childhood Music, 6 months - 6 years. Music education program to
develop natural musicality in young children

Music for adults and children with special needs, supported by
volunteers who love to sing, move, dance, and play instruments!

Therapeutic Drumming Circles for everyone!

Sound Therapy sessions

JourneyDance
Guided movement for self expression and wellness.

Modern Dance for teens and adults often accompanied by live music.

Yoga, Reiki, meditation

Dog training classes

Pet Partners Therapy Dog course

Workshops for professional and self-development