Volunteer
Current Volunteers
At GallopNYC, volunteers enjoy the personal satisfaction of helping children and adults with developmental, emotional, social and physical challenges, all while working with and being around horses, one of nature’s most empathetic animals. We depend on hundreds of volunteers to support lessons, care for our horses and grounds, and create a welcoming space for all. Whether you can volunteer once a week or once in a while, there is always an opportunity to make a difference!
GallopNYC offers the majority of its volunteering opportunities at Sunrise Stables in Howard Beach, Queens.
Volunteer opportunities at Prospect Park are limited and take place on Tuesdays during the Fall and Spring seasons. The location is near the corner of Caton Avenue and Coney Island Avenue. Advance registration is required.
Explore our volunteer opportunities below.
Come meet our horses and make new friends as you help our riders learn important life skills. No experience is necessary - we train you when you arrive.
Individual
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Age 16+ or by instructor permission
Ability to stand and walk for an extended period (at least 30-minute intervals)
Ability to briefly jog with the horse and rider
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Lesson Support:
Assist the instructor during therapeutic riding sessions by working directly with the riders. Act as an intermediary between the rider and instructor by assisting the rider in carrying out the instructor’s directions.Duties and Expectations:
Help prepare riders for lessons.
Assist with rider support during mounting and dismounting.
Walk (and jog) next to the rider throughout the class and provide physical support as necessary (also known as “side-walking”).
Prompt the rider to follow directions given by the instructor.
As necessary you may be asked to fulfill other important roles.
Barn Work:
Assist our barn staff to keep the barn maintained and running smoothly. (This will include more manual labor that may involve lifting up to 30lbs.)
Duties and Expectations:
Washing and filling the horse's water buckets.
Cleaning feed pans, sweeping and cleaning common areas.
Filling hay nets.
Mucking stalls and paddocks.
Feeding ducks and chickens and cleaning out their coops.
Helping with lesson support when needed.
Lead-Walking: if approved by site supervisor or Volunteer coordinator
Support therapeutic lessons by lead-walking horses and supporting instructors with lesson preparations.
Duties and Expectations:
Lead horses during therapeutic riding classes, working with a group of side-walkers, keeping the primary focus on your assigned horse (and not the rider) while maintaining communication with the team.
Executes directions of the instructor during therapeutic riding sessions.
Depending on the site, will bring horses in and out of the arena.
As necessary you may be asked to fulfill other important roles.
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Registration:
Complete our simple volunteer registration here: gallop.nyc/volregistration
Complete the online orientation:
After completing orientation you will receive an electronic waiver via Conga Sign. Please make sure to complete before coming on-site. *Volunteers under 18 need to provide a parent/guardian name and email for the waiver*
Managing your volunteer account:
In order to check on your volunteer hours and jobs, report your volunteer hours, update your demographic information, skills and availability you'll enter your name and email address at gallop.nyc/myvolpage and we will email you your unique personal volunteer link to access your volunteer information.
Volunteer calendar:
In order to view and sign up for volunteer jobs from a calendar view, click here: gallop.nyc/volcalendar
Group
Whether you’re looking to volunteer with friends, alumni, neighbors or regulars from your morning commute, volunteering as a group is a great way to multiply your impact and improve the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities.
-
Age 16+ or by instructor permission
Ability to stand and walk for an extended period (at least 30-minute intervals)
Ability to briefly jog with the horse and rider
-
Lesson Support:
Assist the instructor during therapeutic riding sessions by working directly with the riders. Act as an intermediary between the rider and instructor by assisting the rider in carrying out the instructor’s directions.Duties and Expectations:
Help prepare riders for lessons.
Assist with rider support during mounting and dismounting.
Walk (and jog) next to the rider throughout the class and provide physical support as necessary (also known as “side-walking”).
Prompt the rider to follow directions given by the instructor.
As necessary you may be asked to fulfill other important roles.
Barn Work:
Assist our barn staff to keep the barn maintained and running smoothly. (This will include more manual labor that may involve lifting up to 30lbs.)
Duties and Expectations:
Washing and filling the horse's water buckets.
Cleaning feed pans, sweeping and cleaning common areas.
Filling hay nets.
Mucking stalls and paddocks.
Feeding ducks and chickens and cleaning out their coops.
Helping with lesson support when needed.
Lead-Walking: if approved by site supervisor or Volunteer coordinator
Support therapeutic lessons by lead-walking horses and supporting instructors with lesson preparations.
Duties and Expectations:
Lead horses during therapeutic riding classes, working with a group of side-walkers, keeping the primary focus on your assigned horse (and not the rider) while maintaining communication with the team.
Executes directions of the instructor during therapeutic riding sessions.
Depending on the site, will bring horses in and out of the arena.
As necessary you may be asked to fulfill other important roles.
-
GallopNYC operates GallopNYC Lindenwood (Sunrise Stables) under a NYC Park License. Group volunteers can help with special projects around the barn, including painting, construction and maintenance.
To get started, email GallopNYC’s Volunteer Manager, Marlee Miller, at marlee.miller@gallopnyc.org, including your preferred date of service and the approximate number of volunteers you would like to bring.
Corporate
Working together during our therapeutic programs builds teamwork and presents an opportunity for company teams to get to know one another in a different capacity. We’ve had great groups from Blackstone, Moody’s, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte and so many more. Groups of eight or more will be hosted at Sunrise Stables in Queens.
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GallopNYC's Corporate Volunteer Program provides opportunities for businesses that want to engage in meaningful community service at GallopNYC:
Volunteer All-Stars Day - $5,000 : This package offers a 3-5 hour immersive experience for up to 10 volunteers.
Program includes:Pre-visit virtual orientation
An on-site horse safety and education session
Guided tour of Sunrise Stables
Hands-on volunteering: assist in sessions or help with special projects
A Volunteer All-Stars Day allows corporate teams to collaborate, engage with the community, and support GallopNYC’s therapeutic horsemanship programming. Your corporate team can help make a positive impact while supporting GallopNYC's mission.
-
Age 16+ or by instructor's permission
Ability to stand and walk for an extended period (at least 30-minute intervals)
Ability to briefly jog with the horse and rider
Groups of 8 people or over will be hosted at Sunrise in Queens.
-
Lesson Support:
Assist the instructor during therapeutic riding sessions by working directly with the riders. Act as an intermediary between the rider and instructor by assisting the rider in carrying out the instructor’s directions.Duties and Expectations:
Help prepare riders for lessons.
Assist with rider support during mounting and dismounting.
Walk (and jog) next to the rider throughout the class and provide physical support as necessary (also known as “side-walking”).
Prompt the rider to follow directions given by the instructor.
As necessary you may be asked to fulfill other important roles.
Barn Work:
Assist our barn staff to keep the barn maintained and running smoothly. (This will include more manual labor that may involve lifting up to 30lbs.)
Duties and Expectations:
Washing and filling the horse's water buckets.
Cleaning feed pans, sweeping and cleaning common areas.
Filling hay nets.
Mucking stalls and paddocks.
Feeding ducks and chickens and cleaning out their coops.
Helping with lesson support when needed.
Lead-Walking: if approved by site supervisor or Volunteer coordinator
Support therapeutic lessons by lead-walking horses and supporting instructors with lesson preparations.
Duties and Expectations:
Lead horses during therapeutic riding classes, working with a group of side-walkers, keeping the primary focus on your assigned horse (and not the rider) while maintaining communication with the team.
Executes directions of the instructor during therapeutic riding sessions.
Depending on the site, will bring horses in and out of the arena.
As necessary you may be asked to fulfill other important roles.
-
GallopNYC operates GallopNYC at Sunrise Stables under a NYC Park License. Group volunteers can help with special projects around the barn, including painting, construction and maintenance.
To get started, email GallopNYC at development@gallopnyc.org, including your preferred date of service, the approximate number of volunteers and your preferred time frame.
Ready to Volunteer?
Other Ways to Help
Get Involved
As GallopNYC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, founded in 2005, doing uniquely effective therapeutic work with people with disabilities in New York City, we welcome professional pro bono services. Receiving such services facilitates us in providing effective and affordable therapeutic services. Interested? Email us.