September 2014

Draft of 20141107

Volunteer Manual

Welcome to our corps of GallopNYC volunteers – dedicated, enthusiastic, caring, responsible, and knowledgeable people who work with our riders with disabilities.

This manual is designed to get you started with all the information you will need as a volunteer. We will provide you with training at our sessions, and we have additional information available if you wish to learn more, which we do encourage. Feel free to ask questions. We value our volunteers and believe you are the heart of GallopNYC.

This packet contains:

1. Volunteer FAQ2. Tips and Guidelines for Volunteers 3. Duties and Roles. Tips for each Role4. Tips for Working with People who have Disabilities 5. Policies on Treatment of Confidential Information, Volunteer Behavior and

Volunteer Dismissal 6. Emergency Procedures and Weather/Epidemic Policy 7. Job Descriptions for Side Walkers and Lead Walkers, Volunteer Leaders and

Paddock Masters8. Volunteer Orientation Checklist 9. References and Further Reading

Important Phone Numbers:

Beth McReynolds, Site Coordination Supervisor(212) 947-5354, beth@gallopnyc.org

James Wilson, Operations Director(646) 450-1618, james@gallopnyc.org

Peter Byrne, Program Manager(646) 413-0469, peter@gallopnyc.org

GallopNYC Volunteer FAQAs of August 2013Thank you for contacting GallopNYC’s Therapeutic Riding Program! We are delighted to hear from you and hopeyou will join our volunteer team.About GallopNYC 1. What is GallopNYC?2. Who can benefit from therapeutic riding?3. What is the difference between therapeutic riding and hippotherapy?4. How do I contact you?About Volunteering for GallopNYC 5. What do GallopNYC volunteers do?6. Does a volunteer need experience with horses or people with disabilities?7. What type of commitment do you expect of volunteers?8. What is the minimum age for volunteering?9. How do I sign up to volunteer?Program Schedule and Location of Stables 10. When do you need the help of volunteers?11. Do you have opportunities for volunteering on the weekends or in the summer?12. How do we get to the stable?Specific Questions –13. Do volunteers have the opportunity to ride?14. What should volunteers wear?15. When are lessons cancelled?16. Can GallopNYC verify my hours for school or other requirements?17. What do people say about GallopNYC?

About GallopNYC:1. What is GallopNYC?We are a nonprofit organization based in New York City that offers therapeutic horsemanship programs to children and adults with disabilities. We serve 300 riders a week and operate our riding program at four main locations, though our schedule at each varies with the season:

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1. Prospect Park's Bowling Green, an outdoor site adjacent to Prospect Park;2. Lynne’s Riding School in Forest Hills, Queens;

3. Jamaica Bay Riding Academy on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn;4. Bronx Equestrian Center, 6 Shore Rd,, Bronx, NY.

Therapeutic horsemanship uses the pleasures and skills of horseback riding and horse knowledge to builddevelopmental, emotional, social, and physical skills for each individual rider.Under the direction of a PATH International certified instructor, supported by trained volunteers, each rider progressively acquires riding skills and measurable improvements in life skills. Through weekly sessions, we help riders walk, talk, connect, focus, behave, learn, and have FUN! We also offer hippotherapy services.2. Who can benefit from therapeutic riding?We think that just about anyone will benefit from our therapeutic horsemanship program. GallopNYC works with children, youth, and adults who face developmental, emotional, social, and physical challenges. Our riders have a wide range of disabilities including learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and developmental, speech and language delays. We also work with at-risk teens

and children exposed to domestic violence. We focus on the individual with compassion in an enjoyable, supportive, and rewarding learning environment. GallopNYC helps our riders achieve their life goals. As one volunteer observed: “I have marveled to see how much people are capable of when you don't limit the expectations put upon them.”GallopNYC knows from experience that therapeutic riding is a uniquely effective and engaging form of therapy for people dealing with various disabilities, and growing research is providing evidence to back this up, with two clear themes emerging:1) The combination of effective physical and cognitive tasking in a motivating context enables people with disabilities to more rapidly attain needed skills, and2) A bonding relationship with a horse opens individuals to better acceptance of counseling, therapy, ortraining.

Therapeutic riding provides concrete benefits, as demonstrated in a recent study that found that a 1-weektherapeutic horseback riding intervention with children diagnosed with [Autism Spectrum Disorders] and result in significant improvement,” specifically in

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measures of “self-regulation, adaptive expressive language skills, motor skills, and verbal/praxis/motor planning skills” (R.L. Gabriels, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders).

These research results are consistent with anecdotal reports from parents and teachers, who report gains inattention span and communication skills that carry over to the home and the classroom. As one teacher ofstudents with autism spectrum disorders said, "We have been able to use GallopNYC as a springboard foracademic tasks....We have seen astronomical changes in posture, balance, muscle control, body awareness, concentration,[reduced] self stimulatory behaviors, language, socialization, patience and sensory integration." A special needs teacher from an NYC public school wrote: “It is amazing to watch my unruliest students calm down, my most scattered students focus, my quietest students shout, and my least expressive students laugh when they interact with you and the horses… I feel like we can never do enough to express our gratitude."3. What is the difference between therapeutic riding and hippotherapy?Therapeutic riding lessons teach an individual to ride, which typically offers many therapeutic benefits. Lessons are conducted by a PATH International certified therapeutic riding instructor employed by GallopNYC. Lessons are typically in a group format with up to three riders. A lesson may consist of the teaching of horsemanship skills, such as the care of the horse and equipment, how to lead, and proper vocabulary, in addition to or instead of riding.Hippotherapy sessions are offered by a physical therapist trained in Hippotherapy, a method that uses the horse as a physical therapy tool, with less emphasis on learning to ride.4. How do I contact you?Email us at volunteer@GallopNYC.org or call 917-727-1241.About Volunteering for GallopNYC:5. What do GallopNYC volunteers do?Most of our volunteers help us by leading horses (“lead-walking”) and assisting our riders (“side-walking”) during riding lessons.GallopNYC volunteers may be trained to be Volunteer Leaders. This role includes managing the session’svolunteers, greeting volunteers as they arrive for their shift, assigning duties, orienting new volunteers to our program and introducing them to our team, answering questions, helping to make sure each volunteer is involved, and maintaining volunteer logs and data entry.Experienced GallopNYC volunteers who have significant experience with horses may be trained to be a Paddock Master. The Paddock Master is responsible for, among other duties, preparing the horses for the lessons. Volunteers also help with fundraising, web design, and as support for special programs and activities.6. Does a volunteer need experience working with horses or people with

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disabilities?No prior experience working with horses or people with disabilities is necessary. You will be provided with the information and training required during our orientation sessions and on an ongoing basis.7. What type of commitment do you expect of volunteers?We ask our volunteers who wish to help during our lessons to commit to a minimum of two hours a week for an 11-week period. If you must miss a shift, we ask that you give a minimum of 24 hours advance notice to the Volunteer Coordinator.8. What is the minimum age for volunteering?We accept volunteers as young as 16 years of age.9. How do I sign up to volunteer?To sign up for an Orientation go to: http://gallopnyc.force.com/GW_Volunteers__VolunteersJobListing. Once you register, we will send you the forms you need to bring with you to the orientation. At the orientation, you can talk to the Volunteer Coordinator about the different volunteer jobs and sign up for a volunteer shift. If you do not have access to the Internet, call 646-281-4268 and ask for an application packet and information on orientation dates to be mailed to you.Program Schedule and Location of Stables10. When do you need the help of volunteers?Since the majority of our volunteers help with the lessons, our greatest need for volunteers arises during the program year, which currently runs from September through June, divided into three 11-week sessions. We offer lessons most days of the week at one of our three locations. Our lessons generally take place between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM. Our schedule follows the public school schedule.Throughout the year we often need volunteers to help with special projects and activities. When you fill out the volunteer registration form you have the opportunity to indicate whether you are interested in assisting with, for example, special activities or fundraising.11. Do you have opportunities for volunteering on the weekends or in summer?We have opportunities to volunteer on weekends at Bowling Green and Lynne's Riding School.Opportunities in the summer are limited. Contact volunteers@gallopnyc.org with questions.12. How do we get to the stable?GallopNYC offers its program at four locations. All information about the locations can be found on our website at http://gallopnyc.org/about-us/facility/20.

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You can also look up door-to-door subway directions using www.hopstop.com. Additional links for specific stable directions are below:

Bowling Green in the Parade Grounds Section of Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY Location: in the Parade Grounds section of the Park; South of Parkside Ave.; on the corner of Coney Island Ave. and Caton Ave. (note: Caton Ave. is a different street than Caton Place which is 2 blocks away.)http://gallopnyc.org/about-us/facility/20/

Lynne’s Riding School, 88-03 70th Rd. Forest Hills, Queens 11375See www.lynnesridingschoolnyc.com.Jamaica Bay Riding Academy, Shore Parkway, Brooklyn NY See http://www.horsebackride.com/Bronx Equestrian Center, 6 Shore Rd,, Bronx, NY. See http://www.bronxequestriancenter.com/

Specific Questions:13. Do volunteers have the opportunity to ride?Although there may be a chance once in a while for a volunteer to ride, it is not a regular occurrence.

Private riding lessons are offered at all four stables at which we offer our program. You can arrange a lesson or discuss trail riding opportunities directly with the stable.14. What should volunteers wear?Volunteers should dress appropriately for the weather, as we do not have heat or A/C in the arenas. Volunteers should wear long pants and closed toe shoes or boots with heels. Jewelry and hair ornaments can catch on the horse’s mane and tail and should not be worn to lessons. Lessons at Bowling Green in Prospect Park are held outdoors, so consider wearing a hat and bringing sunscreen.15. When are lessons cancelled?Except on Saturdays, our lessons run rain or shine, as we have access to enclosed indoor arenas. However, if the temperature is, or is predicted to be, 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above, or 25 degrees Fahrenheit or below, lessons will be cancelled. In the event of an epidemic or pandemic, GallopNYC will follow the guidance of the city health officials for school closings. Every effort will be made to contact volunteers by email when we cancel lessons. We also post cancellations on our web site and Facebook group. If in doubt, you may contact the Volunteer Coordinator.

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16. Can GallopNYC verify my hours for school or other requirements?We can provide formal letters of verification with 5-7 days notice. For informal verification of hours, please give us 48-hours notice. Contact

volunteer@gallopnyc.org to request verification of hours.(Remember to always sign in and out when you volunteer.)17. What do people say about GallopNYC?A list of links to press about GallopNYC’s therapeutic riding program can be found on our website at

http://gallopnyc.org/resources/media/.

Tips and Guidelines for GallopNYC Volunteers

No matter what horse background you come from, or the extent of your experience, please be aware that there are special guidelines that must be followed in a therapeutic riding program, which may be contrary to practices you are used to. Please try and do things the GallopNYC way.

RELIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY are the two most important requirements for a volunteer. We depend on our volunteers and need a firm commitment for whatever time you feel you can give us. If you are unable to come at your designated time, please contact your Site Coordinator or the Site Coordinator Supervisor. Please note that your duties begin 30 minutes before the session starts.

Calendar: Our schedule is posted on Google calendar (see References page). Classes are held rain or shine, except for those at Bowling Green and some of those at Jamaica Bay. We post cancellations on our web site at http://gallopnyc.org/schedule/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/GallopNYC/?ref=br_rsIf in doubt, please call or email the Site Coordinator or the Site Coordinator Supervisor.

Please remember to sign in and sign out each time you volunteer. First, check in with the on-site volunteer leader. By signing in, you help us keep track of who is on the premises at any given time, which is important in case of an emergency. It also helps us to track the number of volunteer hours given to GallopNYC during the course of each week. These statistics are vital for our fundraising and allow us to thank you for your service.

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Substance abuse and smoking policy: GallopNYC is an alcohol-, drug- and smoke-free environment. If you must smoke, we ask that you do so out of sight and never in the stable or arena. Every member of the

GallopNYC team is a role model for the riders in our program.

DRESS CODE: Long pants and sturdy shoes are a must. We recommend that you remove jewelry (and leave it at home). Long hair should be tied back and a cap is a good idea. Barn facilities are not heated or air-conditioned, so dress appropriately for the weather.

A few other tips may be helpful: Be sure to observe our confidentiality policy.

NEVER be alone with a rider.

Let the riding instructor handle the instruction; let the rider do the riding. Your job is to assist.

Horses love treats but if we feed them too much it distracts them from the lesson. At Bowling Green, only feed carrots after the riders are dismounted and only with the permission of the instructor. Be very careful to protect a rider’s fingers (and yours) if feeding a horse. Please note that we are not permitted to feed treats to any horse at Lynne’s Riding School.

We want to hear from you! Please take concerns and suggestions to the Site Coordinator, Site Coordinator Supervisor, or Program Director.

Go out of your way to be courteous and considerate of staff at the Stables – they are running a business and meeting customer needs and we try not to get in their way.

There is plenty to do at GallopNYC. Feel free to volunteer for jobs other than handling horses, such as tidying up, organizing tack, or helping with special events or administrative work.

BUT DON’T BURN OUT!!! Be prepared – the more you do the more we will ask you to do! So learn to say no and don’t feel guilty about it. We want you to stay around for a long time. THANK YOU for VOLUNTEERING!!!

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HELMET FITTING GUIDELINES

Proper helmet fit is the responsibility of the instructor, however you may be asked to help.

First, make sure you have the back in back – the manufacturers name usually is in the back and the brim, if any, goes in the front.

Ask the rider to remove or adjust hair clips, hats, caps, ties, and other items that might make the helmet fit uncomfortably.

Once on the head, there should be no more than 2 fingers width and no less than one fingers width between the eyebrow and the helmet.

The helmet should be snug enough to be secure. When you move it up and down, the skin on the forehead should move with it. Some models allow adjustment from outside the helmet, for others you will have to remove the helmet to adjust it.

The harness clips under the rider’s chin and the strap should be snug but comfortable.

DUTIES AND ROLES

Paddock Master – Volunteer designated to assist Instructor in operation of lessons, liaise with stable to assign horses, oversee grooming and tacking, clear arena, set up mounting block and ramp, open doors and similar tasks to ensure GallopNYC is ready to accept riders. Also keeps time and makes sure paperwork is completed (rider logs and instructor logs).

Volunteer Leader– Person designated to act as liaison with volunteers. The Volunteer Leader assigns volunteers, keeps attendance logs, helps train volunteers, collects paperwork for volunteers (logs and releases) and gives to Volunteer Coordinator and/or enters data into Salesforce.

Side-walker Qualifications and Responsibilities:9

Qualifications: Able to walk/jog for up to an hour at a time (indoors and outdoors) on

uneven surfaces Able to hold arm raised and out to the side for extended periods of time Able to hear, speak, and understand instructions in English Minimum age of sixteen years Horse experience welcome

Responsibilities: Help prepare riders for class, if necessary (fitting helmets, etc.) Assist with rider support during mounting and dismounting as necessary Walk next to the rider throughout the class and provide physical support

as necessary Help the rider follow directions given by the instructor Not responsible for the horse

TIPS FOR SIDE-WALKERS

Side-walkers are directly responsible for the riders.

Side-walkers can be a great help to the instructor. They help the student focus attention on the instructor, assist with spatial orientation, and help riders understand and implement the instructor’s directions.

It’s easy to get a bit too involved, and help too much. Try to allow the rider to process and execute instructions, and try to leave teaching to the instructor. Too much input from too many directions is very confusing to anyone, and to riders who already have perceptual and attention problems, it can be overwhelming.

Try to avoid unnecessary conversation with either the rider or other volunteers. Do not discuss the rider in front of him or her except as necessary. Address the rider directly. (For example, ask the rider if his foot is in the stirrup, before you ask the other side walker to check.)

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When a rider is mounting, the side-walker acts as a spotter for the rider. The side-walker should stand on the off side of the horse (opposite side from the rider) to assist the instructor and make sure the rider gets safely

aboard. If a saddle is used, the side-walker should pull down on the off-side stirrup to help prevent the saddle from slipping. Once in motion, it is important to maintain a position at the rider’s knee. If you are too far forward or back, it will be very hard to provide security if the horse should trip or shy.

The most commonly used “hold” to assist the rider is the “arm-over-thigh” hold. The side-walker grips the front of the saddle or pad with the hand closest to the rider. Then the fleshy part of the forearm rests gently on the rider’s thigh. Do not press too hard – you are only there to help with balance. Avoid wrapping an arm around the rider’s waist. It actually pulls the rider off balance, and makes riding more difficult.

If the rider should start to fall, ask the lead-walker to halt the horse. Usually the rider can be gently put back into position. If there is no way to prevent a fall, try to soften the fall, and protect the rider from being stepped on by the horse. Wait for directions from the instructor.

If the side-walker is experiencing any physical discomfort (shoulders often start to ache if you are going in the same direction for too long), tiredness from walking or jogging, or difficulties with the rider – notify the instructor immediately. If you are not comfortable in any way, an accident is more likely to happen.

If you have observations about your rider that you wish to share with the instructor, save them until after the lesson is over (unless you have an urgent safety concern). If the tack needs adjustment, alert the instructor and the lead-walker will bring the horse to the center of the arena.

Lead Walker Qualifications and Responsibilities:

Lead Walker Qualifications: Horse experience preferred Able to halter, lead, cross-tie a horse; able to tack a horse Able to groom a horse without assistance

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Able to walk, and jog periodically, for an hour at a time (indoors/outdoors) on uneven surfaces

Able to hear, speak, and understand instructions in English Able to lift up to 20 pounds (saddle) above his or her head Minimum age of sixteen

Lead Walker Responsibilities: Check health and soundness of horse prior to class Assist Paddock Master to ensure horse is groomed, tacked, and lunged, if

necessary, in arena prior to class Lead the horse during class, within a group including side-walkers,

keeping primary focus on assigned horse (and not the rider) while maintaining communication with team

Listen to and execute directions of the instructor Untack the horse after class (unless needed in the class to follow)

TIPS FOR LEAD-WALKERS

The main responsibility of the lead-walker is to control the horse. Side-walkers are responsible for the riders; the lead-walker concentrates on the horse. Most riders in our program are not fully in control of the horse. It is the lead-walker who must help in guiding, stopping, and starting the horse, yet without making the rider feel that he or she is simply being led. The rider must be

allowed to do as much as he or she is capable of doing, with the lead-walker stepping in only when necessary.

When the rider is mounting and when the horse is halted, the lead-walker stands in front of the horse. This makes a physical barrier and helps the horse to stand more quietly. Stand far enough away so that the horse will not knock you if it tosses its head. You may wish to lightly hold the sides of the halter while standing.

Lead-walkers should stand/walk on the side of the horse closest to the instructor – inside the arena. Lead-walkers walk next to and even with the horse’s head, holding the lead rope about 6 to 8 inches from the clip at the halter. The rest of the line is gathered in the far hand and NEVER COILED AROUND THE HAND.

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Do not drag the horse. Try a series of short tugs to keep a lazy horse moving. A horse will usually adjust its gait to yours, so if you walk faster

the horse usually will walk faster too. (Follow the instructor’s lead – some riders will need a faster pace, some slower.) If possible, the rider should help keep the horse moving.

Lead-walkers and side-walkers should communicate; and lead-walkers must be careful not to push side walkers into walls. When working with smaller horses, it is hard for the side-walker to avoid stepping on the heels of the lead-walker, but sometimes adjusting your stride will help.

When the horse is asked to trot, the lead-walker will have to jog alongside. Keep to a slow pace so the horse does not pick up too much speed. An elbow pushing in the horse’s chest can be a useful and gentle “brake.”

When the instructor gives an instruction, wait for the rider to process the information and attempt to cue the horse before you step in – assist, don’t “do.” Count to at least 30 before you step in: our riders need a lot of time to process directions.

Take the horse to the center of the ring to adjust tack, or to have a discussion with instructor, rider, or side walkers. If you need to stop, try and get out of the way of the other riders

Sometimes horses in the arena have different paces. If you need to pass, do so on the inside and make sure the other riders and lead-walkers are aware of your intentions.

If a fall occurs, your job is to stay with the horse. Calm the horse as best you can and move it away from the rider, volunteers, and other horses. Check the horse for injury and report any problems to the stable staff. You many need to complete an occurrence report.

Leadwalking Training: Terminology and Definitions

1. Short side and long side of arena: obvious

2. Inside/outside: refers to position relative to the center of the arena 13

3. Near/far: refers to position relative to the horse. From the riding position, the near side is the left side of the horse.4. Center line: the line bisecting the arena parallel to the long side

5. On the rail: moving along the edge of the arena6. Tracking right: moving in a clockwise direction around the rail7. Tracking left: moving in a counter clockwise direction around the rail8. Tracking across the arena: moving from one long side to the other long side. May or may not incorporate a change in direction.9. Reverse: A change of rein/change of direction, usually accomplished by moving across the diagonal or a ½ circle reverse/reverse to the center;9.1 Across the diagonal: moving from one corner of the arena to the other;9.2 Half circle reverse/reverse to the center: a half circle moving into the arena and making a diagonal line back to rail

Figures:1. Circles are round.2. Serpentine: equal bends in either direction moving from a center line. 3. Figure of eight: two circles joined by a few steps in a straight line. Circles are equal in size.

Movement: 1. Halt: should be square in order to manage weight of rider2. Half halt: used as an attention-getter, rebalancing, need not be abrupt3. Lengthen/Shorten stride: lengthening and shortening of the reach of the horse’s step

VOLUNTEER LEADER JOB DESCRIPTION

Volunteer Leader – The Volunteer Leader helps the lessons run smoothly by managing the session’s volunteers, coordinating lesson logistics, rider and horse needs between the instructor, stables and paddock master, and acting as GallopNYC’s liaison with parents of riders, as necessary.

In particular, Volunteer Leaders:- Welcome volunteers as they arrive for their shift and assign duties,- Maintain attendance logs and other volunteer data,- Orient new volunteers to the program and introduce them to our team, - Answer questions and make sure each volunteer is involved,- Provide program feedback to GallopNYC staff members,- Thank volunteers and - Trouble shoot potential problems or concerns.

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Volunteer Leaders coordinate lesson needs with instructor and paddock master and ensure that the instructor’s client evaluation notes are entered

into Salesforce. As necessary, duties also include liaising

with the parents/aides of riders, making sure their concerns and questions are passed on to GallopNYC staff for resolution.

The Volunteer Leader reports to the Volunteer Coordinator.

Volunteer Leaders are selected by GallopNYC staff. We welcome expressions of interest in the position. In order to considered for the position of Volunteer Leader, a volunteer must have attended a Volunteer Orientation and obtained advanced Volunteer Leader training. A minimum of 6-months experience as an active GallopNYC volunteer is preferred and a firm time commitment is necessary.

Skills Needed for the Position:

Successful experience as a GallopNYC volunteer Demonstrates a caring and respectful attitude towards our riders, our horses

and ponies Engaged/present/pays attention Strong communication skills Highly organized and effective Responsible, reliable, punctual, committed, dependable, accountable, honest Enthusiastic, self starter, willing to do whatever needed Personable, sense of humor, positive attitude Passionate about our mission

Time Commitment:

Volunteer Leaders will commit to helping at one therapeutic riding session per week for an 11-week program. A session may last from two to four hours and Volunteer Leaders should expect to spend a minimum of 30 minutes before and after the session on organizational matters.

Paddock Master Qualifications and Responsibilities:

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Qualifications: Horse experience required Able to halter, lead, crosstie a horse; able to tack a horse

Able to groom a horse without assistance Able to plan ahead and anticipate needs of the instructor Able to supervise other volunteers Able to hear, speak and understand instructions in English Able to lift up to 20 pounds (saddle) above his or her head Minimum age of sixteen

Responsibilities:Volunteer designated to assist Instructor in operation of lessons, liaison with stable to assign horses, oversee grooming and tacking, clearing arena, setting up

mounting block and similar tasks to ensure GallopNYC is ready to accept riders and that lessons proceed in a timely fashion.

TIPS FOR WORKING WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISABILITIES

If you have never had the opportunity to meet people with disabilities, you may feel insecure or uncertain about how to interact with the people you meet while working at GallopNYC. What do you say? What is the best way to help? These kinds of questions are perfectly OK and we have prepared these tips to help you feel more comfortable.

Don’t worry about making mistakes when meeting and talking with a person who has a disability. Relax and take your cues from the person. With time, you will find ways of relating to our riders as individuals,and will come to know them as individuals and friends without dwelling on their disabilities or how to act around them. You also will find you value and celebrate their abilities more than their disabilities.

Here are some basic suggestions about relating to people who have disabilities.

A person with a disability is an individual first and should not be defined by their disability. He or she is entitled to the same dignity, respect, and consideration expected by anyone.

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Treat adults as adults. Address an adult in the same manner that they introduced themselves. If a rider introduces himself as James, address him as James (not Jimmy).

Do not “pat” people with disabilities on the head or shoulder, or any other part of the body.

Only help a person with a disability if they ask for assistance. You may offer assistance but if it is declined do not be offended.

When assisting a person with a disability always ask how best to help; do not take over. When the person gives you specific directions, follow their instructions.

Always address a person with a disability directly. Do not speak about them as if they were not present. Do not ask an aid or caregiver a question when the person can answer it themselves.

Do not shout. Hearing aids make noises louder, not clearer. Blindness does not affect a person’s hearing.

If a person has difficulty speaking, allow them to finish their sentence. If you do not understand what they are saying, tell them so. Do not pretend to understand if you don’t.

When meeting a person with a visual impairment, always identify yourself and tell them you are leaving before you walk away.

Do not make assumptions that limit people. A person with a disability is the best judge of what he or she can do or try to do (unless they are substantially impaired cognitively).

Do not push a wheelchair, grab an arm, or provide physical assistance unless requested or without asking permission.

When speaking to a person in a wheelchair, stand upright, making eye contact, do not crouch down to be at their eye level.

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POLICY ON TREATMENT OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

As a volunteer who works with the riders, you will be given enough background information so that you may be sensitive to the riders’ needs. Occasionally, more detailed information might be given to you or you may become aware of it indirectly or even inadvertently.

All of the circumstances of a rider’s life, condition, disability, actions, or behavior are considered confidential. Under NO circumstances are you to divulge this information to anyone other than GallopNYC Personnel, and then only as necessary to aid the rider.

If you have questions, please feel free to ask your GallopNYC Instructor, Volunteer Coordinator, Program Manager, or Executive Director.

VOLUNTEER BEHAVIOR POLICY

Volunteers are expected to be reliable, responsible and perform their duties in an efficient and safe manner, as outlined in the Volunteer Information and Training Packet.

Volunteers must never be alone with a rider.

Volunteers should not interact with any rider outside of their volunteer activity with GallopNYC.

Volunteers must not engage in discriminatory or racist statements or behaviors. Volunteers must not engage in sexual harassment, for example, jokes, innuendos, insults, and sexist remarks that a person in earshot finds offensive, the display of derogatory or pornographic pictures, leering, inappropriate touching, or kissing.

If a volunteer has any GallopNYC volunteer-related concerns, questions about appropriate behavior while volunteering, or complaints about inappropriate behavior by another volunteer or GallopNYC staff, they should speak with the Volunteer Coordinator immediately. If a volunteer is unable to speak with the Volunteer Coordinator, or has a complaint concerning the Volunteer Coordinator, he/she should contact the Executive Director at GallopNYC.

VOLUNTEER DISMISSAL POLICY

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Without the skill, energy and commitment of our volunteers we could not run our programs. However there are occasions when the needs and skills of a volunteer cannot be matched with our work.

In order to maintain safety and excellence in our programs, we reserve the right to dismiss a volunteer if we determine that the volunteer cannot safely and effectively perform the duties assigned to them. This decision will be made by GallopNYC. We also will respect concerns raised by the stable owners, as we are guests on their property.

Failing to disclose a health or fitness issue or a conviction of a felony or misdemeanor on the Volunteer Registration form, a violation of the GallopNYC Confidentiality Polity, presenting for duty apparently intoxicated or chemically impaired, involvement in illegal activities, failure to adhere to any of GallopNYC’s Policies or Procedures, or any inappropriate behavior are grounds for immediate dismissal.

In the case of concerns about a volunteer, we will attempt to retrain or reassign the volunteer, but may dismiss the volunteer without retraining if GallopNYC determines appropriate.

Emergency Hazards and Safety Procedures

General Complete human and equine first aid kits are kept at the activity site and

their location is clearly identified A completed Emergency Information Sheet is posted on the door of the

Center’s storage closet, and the location of an emergency telephone is clearly identified

Fire Paddock Master will call 911 (if stable staff has not done so) Instructor will require that all horses stop Instructor will supervise dismounting

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Volunteers (side-walkers) will escort riders and visitors out (through rear exit or front exit)

Paddock Master will find wheelchair and bring to exit Lead-walkers will move horses away from dismounted riders and then lead

horses out of stable All personnel and participants will assemble in clear area designated by

Instructor Paddock Master and Volunteer Coordinator to count heads and if possible

conduct sweep of premises for stragglers Instructor will complete Occurrence Report

Loose horse Instructor will require all horses to stop Volunteers will stabilize riders or assist in dismounting as advised by

instructor Volunteers will escort participants and other horses from area if advised by

Instructor Instructor will complete Occurrence Report

Rider fall Instructor will require all horses to stop Volunteers will stabilize riders or assist in dismounting as advised by

Instructor At Instructor’s direction, lead-walker will move horse away from fallen rider Instructor will determine whether arena is to be cleared Instructor or volunteer trained in first aid will check the scene and fallen

rider and determine need to call 911 Paddock Master will call 911 if necessary Instructor or volunteer trained in first aid or CPR will administer care and/or

CPR as necessary Instructor will complete Occurrence Report

Slip and Fall Instructor or volunteer trained in first aid will check the scene and fallen

person and determine need to call 911 Paddock Master will call 911 if necessary Instructor or volunteer trained in first aid or CPR will administer care and/or

CPR as necessary and clear area if necessary Instructor will complete Occurrence Report

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Medical Assistance

Paddock Master will call 911. Directions to each facility are prominently posted in the barn.

Instructor or Paddock Master will call parent or caregiver (if applicable). Paddock Master will accompany patient to hospital if necessary.

Off Limits

Offices are off limits to all participants and personnel. Kensington Stables is off limits to all participants and personnel Stable aisles are off limits to all participants and personnel except

Instructors, Paddock Masters, and volunteers designated by Instructors or Paddock Master.

At all sites but Bowling Green, the arena is off limits to all except Instructors, Paddock Masters, volunteers, and riders. Parents, caregivers, and other observers are not permitted in the arena unless they are acting as a volunteer and have completed necessary paperwork. At Bowling Green, parents, caregivers and observers are expected to keep to the side of the area and to keep children who are not participating with them.

Weather Emergencies

In case of weather that the instructor determines is dangerous – for example thunder, high winds, or downpours that upset the horses – the horses will be halted and the riders dismounted. Riders will be assembled in an area to await transportation. If necessary, Paddock Master will call rider’s caregiver.

Horses Stalled Adjacent to Arena

Whenever a horse stalled adjacent to the arena is being moved in or out of the arena, all riders will halt until the horse is safely out of the arena or safely in its stall.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are located in the main alley. The Program Manager will check each September that fire department inspection of fire extinguishers is current and will inform management at Kensington Stables or Lynne’s Riding School if the inspection is not current.

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Weather and Epidemic Closing Policy WeatherNo riding if high temperature for the day is, or is predicted to be, 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above.

No riding if low temperature for the day is, or is predicted to be, 25 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

EpidemicIn the event of an epidemic or pandemic, such as H1N1, GallopNYC will follow the guidance of the city health officials for school closings.

ORIENTATION CHECKLIST

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

www.gallopnyc.org

GallopNYC’s website includes links to books and research articles as well as our calendar and forms.

www.PATHintl.orgThis site includes important information about therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities and therapies. It also has an online shop for reference works and information on workshops and certification programs.

Available at from the Volunteer Coordinator, Site Coordinator or the Site Coordinator Supervisor: 22

-PATH International Volunteer Manual-Strides Magazine

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