Runnin' WJ Ranch seeks volunteers for therapeutic riding program

The Runnin' WJ Ranch is looking for volunteers to help with its therapeutic riding program.

During the program, children and adults with disabilities are able to ride horses with the assistance of a horse leader and side walkers to make sure riders are safe.

"Volunteers are the heart of the ranch," said Sam Clem, Runnin' WJ executive director. "We normally run 350 to 400 volunteers a week, and we always need 50 or 60 new volunteers at the start of the year to replace the ones we've lost."

Runnin' WJ will start classes by mid-September. The ranch is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, so volunteers can identify time slots that work with their schedules. To volunteer at the ranch, people must be 14 or older.

"It's amazing how many of younger teenage kids and college students enjoy it," Clem said.

"College students have flexible schedules and may have an hour or two between classes where they can come out and work with a class. We have a lot of moms, grandmas and retired folks that come out and also those who love horses. Most of our volunteers do not have horse experience but we train them what to watch our for. They walk about an hour either leading the horse or walking beside the horse. They interact with the kids and help with their lessons."

For more information about volunteering, call Narda at 903-838-3223 or visit runninwjranch.org.

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