The BTRC offers site visits and training for new program volunteers throughout the year. If you are interested in volunteering you can contact us at BECandBTRC@aol.com or complete and submit the volunteer application, found at the bottom of the page.

Job Title: Volunteer
Supervised By: Program Director
Description of Duties:

Leader:

• Must be 15 years or older.
• Responsible for tacking up horse.
• Responsible for the horse and may only assist rider if there is no sidewalker.
• Must be able to effectively lead horse in the riding and keep at a safe distance when there are other horses in the ring.
• Communicate with instructor and follow instruction given.
• Must show endurance and strength.
• Must be reliable and available at regular scheduled times.

Sidewalker:

• Must be 15 years or older.
• Responsible for the rider.
• Pay attention to rider during lesson and give verbal cue to instructor and leader if there is a problem.
• Offer physical help if needed by rider.
• Assist rider with commands given by instructor.
• Encourage independent riding, taking into account the individual abilities and safety of the rider.

Our mandatory volunteer training will be Friday April 25, 2008 from 6:30-8:00PM. If you cannot make this training please notify us as soon as possible! Pizza will be served at 6:00PM for those of you that need to come directly from work. We highly value your participation and could not function without you! Additional volunteer training will be held during June and August.

OUR PROGRAM RUNS ON MONDAY AFTERNOONS. The schedule for 2008 is as follows:

SESSION 1: April 28, May 5, May 12, and May 19 (closed May 26)

SESSION 2: June 2, June 9, June 16, and June 23

SESSION 3: June 30, July 14, July 21, and July 28 (closed July 7)

SESSION 4: August 4, August 11, August 18, and August 25

(closed September 1, September 15, and September 22)

SESSION 5: September 29, October 6, October 20, and October 29 (closed October 13)

*Remember, our classes will be conducted from 3:30-7:00PM. There is always a chance that we will start later that 3:30PM or end earlier than 7:00PM due to enrollment.

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center New Volunteer Application
(The application form is in PDF format. If you cannot open the form, click here to get Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Elizabeth McNabb

Elizabeth McNabb has been with the Center for seven years as the head instructor for the Buffalo Equestrian Center and six years as the head instructor for the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. Libby is also the program director for both entities. She has achieved the level of Registered Instructor with NARHA, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.

Before coming to the Buffalo area she worked as an instructor in Charlotte, NC for seven years. Libby has been active in the horse world for over 20 years, starting as a member of 4-H and pony club. Libby’s love for horses and education background make her an asset to the program.