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Volunteer at Acres for Life

Be Part of Something Meaningful

At Acres for Life, volunteers are an essential part of our community. Every feed bucket filled, shed cleaned, and garden tended helps create a safe, healing environment for the clients and horses who call Acres home.

 

Whether you’re experienced with horses or simply eager to give back, there’s a place for you here. Volunteering with us means joining a team that values respect, consistency, and compassion — for both people and animals.

Apply to Volunteer

How Volunteers Make a Difference

Volunteers help keep Acres for Life running, the horses cared for, and our programs thriving. You can serve in a variety of ways depending on your comfort level, skills, and interests:

🐴 Horse & Animal Care Team

If your heart it with the horses, this is the place for you.

  • What you’ll do: Assist with daily chores like feeding, cleaning sheds and stalls, applying fly gear or blankets, checking wounds, and helping with small animal care.
  • What to expect: This is hands-on, physical work outdoors in all kinds of weather — rain, snow, or sunshine. You’ll work alongside experienced volunteers and staff, learning horse safety, handling basics, and barn routines.
  • Experience required: Horse care and handling experience is a plus, but not required. Our volunteer team ranges from seasoned horse people to those who have only read about horses in books. About 50–60% of our volunteers start with little or no horse background, and we’ll train you on everything you need to know.
  • Ideal for you if: You’re dependable, comfortable getting dirty, and excited to care for the herd behind the scenes.

Important: Volunteering in this role is about caring for and serving our therapy partners — not “working with” horses in a therapeutic sense.

🌱 Facilities, Grounds & Garden Team

Our property needs steady hands and strong backs, too.

  • What you’ll do: Mowing, gardening, light repairs, painting, fence checks, and seasonal clean-up projects.
  • What to expect: Flexible scheduling, often project-based or seasonal.
  • Ideal for you if: You like being outdoors and enjoy tangible results from your work

🌱 Event & Community Support

Help us make our community gatherings memorable!

  • What you’ll do: Assist with event setup, registration, guest hospitality, silent auctions, or cleanup for events like the Barn Bash and Gala.
  • What to expect: Event days are high-energy and social. Perfect if you enjoy teamwork and connection.

  • Ideal for you if: You love people, logistics, and supporting a mission-driven event.

    What We Ask of All Volunteers

    Volunteers represent the spirit of Acres for Life. We ask everyone who joins our team to bring:

    • Reliability: Show up when scheduled or communicate if plans change.

    • Respect: For clients, staff, and especially for our horses, who are the heart of our work.

    • Confidentiality: We serve clients through mental health and wellness services that incorporate nature and horses; volunteers do not observe sessions and must protect client privacy at all times.

    • Team Spirit: A willingness to learn, help wherever needed, and support one another.

    Volunteering here means joining a culture rooted in compassion, professionalism, and safety — both for people and animals.

    Time Commitment

    • Most hands-on volunteers serve 1–2 hours per shift, weekly or every other week.
    • Morning chores typically begin around 7–8 AM and afternoons chores begin around 3-4 PM.
    • Other projects, events, or maintenance work may be scheduled at different times.
    • We ask that volunteers plan to commit for at least 3–6 months when possible to help us maintain consistency for the herd and our team.

    Ready to Get Started?

    If this sounds like a meaningful way to give back, we’d love to learn more about you. Our Volunteer Application Form helps us match your interests and availability with the right opportunity.

    APPLY TO VOLUNTEER

    After submitting your application, our Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to schedule a short conversation or interview and discuss next steps.