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Horses & Horizons Seeks Volunteers

As it celebrates its 30th anniversary year, Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center, Inc. (H.H.T.L.C.) is looking for volunteers to assist with therapeutic horseback riding lessons for children and adults with disabilities. The organization is preparing to begin its first session of lessons for 2023. For the program to be safe and effective, many volunteers are needed. You can help! Experience with horses and/or people with disabilities is helpful, but not necessary. H.H.T.L.C.’s staff will teach you what you need to know.

The upcoming session is eight weeks long, beginning on May 1st. A training session for new volunteers is scheduled for Sunday, April 16th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the center, which is located ten miles south of Tamaqua near Route 309. Anyone who wishes to become a lesson volunteer is required to complete this hands-on training.

H.H.T.L.C. is a registered non-profit organization that is staffed entirely by volunteers. It offers therapeutic riding lessons on Monday and Wednesday evenings. You are asked to give one or two hours of your time on either lesson night for the 8-week session.

Fourteen is the minimum age for lesson volunteers. In the interest of safety for riders and everyone involved in lessons, volunteers must be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 before the start of the session. New volunteers will be trained as side aides who assist riders during lessons. H.H.T.L.C. also needs people with horse experience to become horse leaders, and it welcomes the volunteer assistance of professionals in the allied health fields of physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

According to Volunteer Coordinator, Louise Brong, “Our volunteers are often amazed at the progress our special riders make physically, mentally, and/or emotionally from participating in lessons. It is very rewarding to help make a difference in their lives. Volunteering here is a great way to feel good about what you are doing and have fun at the same time.”

Therapeutic horseback riding has been shown to improve balance, posture, strength, and coordination. It also helps to increase selfawareness, self-confidence, attention span, and independence. Riders often gain improved social skills as well.

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