The Bit by Bit Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program at Rogers State University is in need of volunteers to assist with classes.
Each rider participating in the program requires the attention of one to three volunteers, creating a high demand for individuals to fill this pivotal role.
“Volunteers are what make Bit By Bit successful,” said Jennifer England, director of Bit By Bit. “By giving generously of their time, our volunteers have helped the riders grow in life-changing ways.”
Beginning this fall, plans call for 34 classes per week to accommodate between 90 and 100 riders. This will allow children who have been on a waiting list for one to three years to benefit from the riding program. This increase totally depends on the number of volunteers who offer their services, England said.
Anyone 15-years-old or older may apply to volunteer. All volunteers must participate in a training session, which will be provided at no cost, and prior experience with horses is not necessary.
Bit by Bit is a therapeutic horseback riding center designed to meet the special needs of individuals who cope with challenges in their daily lives. These special needs or considerations may be in the areas of cognitive, developmental, behavioral or physical or a combination of several disability areas.
Bit by Bit provides a safe, regularly scheduled equine experience based on the individual goals of each student. Horses are trained and maintained for this purpose by instructors certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association to insure the environment is conducive to the development and improvement of strengths necessary for improved daily functional skills of the students.
More information and volunteer applications are available by visiting http://www.rsu.edu/bitbybit/, or by contacting the Bit By Bit office at (918) 371-1750 or [email protected].