Therapeutic Riding Program

AWH’s mission is to:

Maximize potential of disabled/disadvantaged/special-needs children providing developmental therapy, education and recreation through horses and the environment, with measurable improvement physically, mentally, socially and/or emotionally resulting in increased self-sufficiency and the ability to lead better and more independent and productive lives capable of contributing to society.

We are always happy to have people interested in volunteering!

We have a short orientation every Saturday morning at 8:45 am in Shadow Hills. (Rain will normally cancel and we are closed for major 3-day holiday weekends.) If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must accompany you to sign some paperwork. Closed-toe shoes (should be comfortable because there is a lot of walking), a shirt with sleeves (T-shirts are fine) and long pants are required. If planning to stay for the entire day (till approx. 2 – 2:30 pm) then bringing water and a sack lunch/snack is recommended. Other days and times available for volunteering will be given at the orientation.

If you were interested in volunteering only at our Sullivan Canyon location in Brentwood, we can arrange for you to have a very short orientation the day you begin. We are only at that location on Thursday afternoons, normally from 1:30-5:00, (so orientation could probably be done at 1:15). You should still bring water and sunscreen when volunteering and the dress code still applies. You must schedule volunteering for Thursday times because we have limited space (compared to our Shadow Hills location).

We normally have volunteers assist the instructor with the children and horses, which includes, leading horses and spotting, which is walking alongside the horse to ensure child’s safety and position changes on the horse.
At our main facility, we also sometimes have volunteers help by grooming horses, cleaning tack, raking leaves, weeding, etc.

If you have any other questions or need directions PLEASE CALL 818 – 767 – 6373. 

Thank you!

Saturdays we are in Shadow Hills and volunteers can come to orientation at 8:45 am. Orientation is over at 9:00 and volunteers can stay and help the same day. We normally go till 2:00-2:30 pm with a lunch break from 11:30-12:00.
We also have opportunities in Shadow Hills on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the afternoons.
Thursdays we are at a mobile site in Brentwood, normally from 1:30-5:00. Please call to schedule Thursday opportunities.