Hope is volunteer driven and depends on the gift of time. YOUR gift of time. Your labor of love is the only way to build a better life for the horses, donkeys, and mules who arrive at Hope in need of a second chance. RANCH HANDS not only perform a physically demanding job but they comprise 85% of the team! If you are willing and able, the work is rewarding.
Minimum volunteer requirements include:
If you have skills in data management, fundraising, marketing, event and project planning you and your talents are needed! Please consider joining the team as a Rescue Wrangler! See below for the Rescue Wrangler registration form.
If you have YEARS of equine handling experience your time and gifts are also needed to help the Hope herd progress with basic life skills, groundwork, and more. See below for the Equine Specialist registration form.
If you have electrical, plumbing, or mechanical experience or any other skills that can be helpful when caring for a large farm and farm equipment please consider joining the team.
ALL volunteers must complete an orientation (including interested volunteers with experience in the areas of administration, equine or maintenance) and be able to commit to a minimum of ONE year of volunteer service.
Please note that orientation sessions are held on the first Saturday of the month, September through April (there are no sessions in December, or through the summer months May, June, July, and August).
Previous experience in ranch work is not required. 85% of Hope volunteers are Ranch Hands who will perform daily, weekly and monthly routine chores to maintain a safe and beautiful environment for the Hope herd.
Duties
Requirements
To volunteer, you must be at least 18 years of age and complete a three-step training program before beginning your volunteer service as a Ranch Hand.
Step 1: Attend an orientation (pre-registration is required). Sessions are the first Saturday of the month from 10am-noon (Sept through April, no orientation in Dec) Register for an orientation session using the registration button below.
In this session you will learn about Hope In The Valley from the rescue’s beginnings, to our current state, and plans for the future. You will also learn what is expected of you and what you can expect as a member of the Hope Team. After orientation someone will help you schedule your next step!
Step 2: Your hands-on training begins! Your first scheduled weekly ranch hand shift will be divided into two sections. The first section provides you an opportunity to observe an early morning care session (8am-10am) in order to better understand the overall daily routine. Then you will begin your ranch chore training and your first ranch hand shift (10am-1pm). During this first chore shift and for several shifts after, you will be paired with a chore trainer who will work with you providing on-the-job training. Your ranch chore trainer will be available to help you any time and the Ranch Hand Coordinator is also available to assist you.
Step 3: Once you have completed your first 30 hours as a ranch hand you will have an opportunity to visit with “staff” during your 30-hour service check-in session. During this time you can share your observations and offer input to help improve training for the next group of volunteers joining the team. At this point, if you are interested and have more time you can offer the team, additional volunteer opportunities can be explored.
If you have skills in the area of data management, event and project planning, fundraising, grant writing, or marketing the Hope herd would appreciate your support! Please consider joining the team!
If you have spent more than ten years with horses and have the skills to help horses polish life skills, practice basic ground work, and more then the Hope herd would appreciate your help! These roles are key and are at the discretion of the Equine Manager based on an assessment of your skills and the needs of the team and the herd at the time. Please consider joining the team!
