Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy (CART) is looking for volunteers for its upcoming spring session, which begins on March 17. CART provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons for children and adults with special needs, and volunteers play a key role in offering these sessions.
Head Program Director Maggie Monroe got involved with the nonprofit organization her second year at UVA, originally because she was taking a course—–Poverty and the Young Child—which had a community service element.
“I immediately felt drawn to CART as I have two younger cousins on the spectrum, one with Autism Spectrum Disorder and one with Down Syndrome,” Maggie shares. “I have always loved working with and giving back to this population, and I found CART's mission statement to be exactly what I was looking for.”
While volunteers work directly with horses, no prior experience is required. “I didn't have prior equestrian experience other than a few summers at horseback riding camp, if that counts!” exclaims Maggie.
Similarly, volunteer Cadence Layne had no experience with therapeutic riding. She says, “I’d been wanting to get involved in a new volunteer program, and I think I saw a flyer about CART. I had zero experience with therapeutic riding but took a chance and have absolutely loved it.”
On the other hand, it was volunteer Lauren Watts’s background with horses that drew her to CART. She says, “I grew up riding and working with horses, and when I had heard of equestrian-related occupational therapy and similar forms of equestrian therapy, I was really excited to learn more. I actually wrote about it in one of my college application essays because of how much it fascinated me. Horses are such emotional animals, so it makes sense that they are so great at connecting with riders.”
Volunteer shifts with CART can take many different forms. Depending on volunteers’ comfort level with the animals, they can start out by grooming the horses or working on chores at the barn. They can also jump right in with the rider, either walking alongside them to ensure correct riding position or leading the horse and keeping speed in check. Lauren switches between sidewalking and leading. While as a side walker she is focused on the rider, making them feel supported and safe, as a leader she points out that the animal is her main focus.
Riding sessions last around an hour, which includes the time it takes to get the horse set up, to assist the rider with the horses, and to demonstrate horse care and untacking to the rider.
The spring session is eight weeks long (March 17 to May 10) and volunteers are expected to dedicate one to two hours a week at the barn, which is located about 30 minutes from UVA Grounds.
Picking a consistent shift time enables volunteers to work with the same riders, fostering close relationships and connections. “I get to work with the same students and horse each week—we really get to know one another and become a team!” says Lauren. In fact, her favorite memory comes in part from these relationships, when she saw one of her students from the previous spring in the fall semester. She reminisces, “He’s super awesome and never fails to make the team laugh, so I was thrilled to be working with him again.”
Cadence agrees, saying, “My favorite memories at CART are just getting to build relationships with the same riders week in and week out and see them grow.”
Maggie’s favorite memory with CART extends past the typical volunteer shift, to the two horse shows she was involved with. “CART hosts an annual horse show in November to showcase all of their riders and their abilities,” Maggie explains. “It is so amazing and rewarding to get to know and work with a rider every week throughout the year, and then get to see all of that progress come to life at the show in front of their friends and families whilst we celebrate the organization as a whole. It's one of my favorite days in the fall!”
Cadence also loves her time at the horse show, remembering, “Last fall one of my students had his best day of the semester, and he got really motivated with the crowd and absolutely killed his ride.”
With sessions picking up soon, reach out to Maggie Monroe if you are a UVA student who is interested in volunteering! Additional information can be found on CART’s website. There is a mandatory training session on Sunday, March 2, which can be made up if that date is not feasible for potential volunteers.
Maggie urges interested students to reach out, saying, “We are always looking for new volunteers, and would love to see new faces at the barn!”
By Cecilia Murphy