Needs From: United Way of Southwest Michigan

From high school students to retirees, TEC volunteers come from diverse backgrounds with an array of talent and skills.  As different as each volunteer is, they all share an interest in making a difference in someone’s life. If you enjoy working with horses, you could put your passion to use as a Horse Leader during therapeutic riding lessons.

Horse leaders have the responsibility of maintaining control of the horse and its actions, pace, and position during the riding lesson. Horse leaders listen and follow directions from the instructors. Some horse experience is necessary to start out as a horse leader. TEC does provide training for any volunteers who do not have prior horse experience but are interested in learning how to be a horse leader. Being comfortable around large animals will aid in your ability to excel at this position.

Minimum requirements: 

at least 14 years old,  are able to walk for about 30-45 minutes, as this is the approximate amount of time walking is required for each lesson. Walking would not be constant since there are a variety of activities requested of our riders, which are not done while the horse is in motion. a desire to share your time with the most wonderful group of folks.

We have a need for volunteers, during the week in the afternoons through the evening and on Saturdays in the early morning through early afternoon. Weekly lesson times can vary from 30 minutes to 75 minutes, depending on the number of participants in the lesson. You are invited to volunteer for one or several lessons.  If your schedule requires flexibility in your volunteer time, you might want to sign up as a substitute. 

All are encouraged to volunteer and most welcome here!

These opportunities are ideal for folks who are handy with tools, most repairs and some new builds. Perfect for the person that can offer their spare time on for a pre-scheduled assignment, either working independently or with a team, helping to keep our facility running properly, ensuring that the facility is always ready to offer services.

If you are available for a maintenance opportunity, bring your unique skills and abilities to assist in maintaining the facility at TEC.

All are encouraged to volunteer and most welcome here!

It has been said that the hardest part of going to war is coming home.  Soldiers who are deployed in combat zones witness unspeakable horrors and face the possibility of death daily.  Life in the battlefield, too often, leaves these men and women scarred for life physically and emotionally.  Once they return home they face a new battle – re-acclimating to civilian life.

TEC WITH VETS combines equine-assisted learning and therapeutic riding, harnessing the energy of horses to support the healing process for our wounded warriors facing the challenges of living with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, amputations, alcohol/drug dependence, anxiety/depression, and much more.

Respond to this need to find out about the many volunteer opportunities to help our area veterans. Will train. 

Horse and barn attendants are key, the backbone of an operation such as this.

Without these special people to help feed, care and maintain the horses and barn (sometimes arena too), we would not be able to dedicate our time to offer our services and opportunities to those who need them the most.

No experience is necessary.....we will provide extensive training to ensure that you are comfortable handling horses, moving them onto and off of the pastures. With additional training, learning to recognize problems or issues, or thoughtfully provide input for improvements.

Work closely with our experienced Barn Manager, become a shift lead volunteer, plus many more opportunities.

All are encouraged to volunteer and most welcome here!

For more information please contact TEC's Volunteer Coordinator, Hillary 269-845-9581 or email tec.vol.coordinator@gmail.com