JoyRide Center

OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE

We currently have openings for the following positions:

Equine Trainer (for complete details click here)

Equine Trainer:

Support JoyRide Center’s mission and values by developing and maintaining a well-trained herd of horses appropriate for equine assisted services.

This is a part-time, position of approximately 20 hours/week, 52 weeks per year

Qualifications: 

Education: High School or above; Equine/Animal Science or relevant college study preferred, but not required

Certification: Certification as instructor by PATH Intl as a CTRI, Advanced, or Master level preferred, but not required; Certified in CPR and First Aid, or ability to obtain

Licensure:  None

Experience:

1. Barn management with responsibilities encompassing nutrition, pasture management, and herd management

2. Interacting with the public and in educating potential donors about the benefits of therapeutic horsemanship

3. Training and riding horses as well as evaluating suitability of potential therapy horses

4. Working with groups of people, delegating tasks and monitoring outcomes

5. Establishing and maintaining a budget

6. Knowledge of tack and tack fit for a variety of horses

7. Working with groups – clients and their families, other instructors, therapists, administrative personnel, volunteers, and donors

8. Hauling horses both short and long distances

 Special Knowledge and Skills:

1. Ability to ride and school a wide variety of horses (English, Western, bareback, etc.). Riding skill proficiency must meet PATH Certified Level criteria, demonstrating at a minimum: walk, trot (posting and sitting) & canter on a variety of horses and disciplines.

2. Broad knowledge of general horse care, stable management, herd psychology, equine anatomy, first aid, and basic medical care.

3. Demonstrated skill in handling horses from the ground, including: grooming, tacking, leading, groundwork, lunging, turning out/bringing in and handling gates

4. Understand and recognize the special requirements and training needs of horses used in therapeutic riding

5. Able to assess horse’s prior training, gaits, movement and temperament, and how these relate to special needs riders

6. Able to work independently and as a team member & to lead, organize and motivate volunteers

7. Familiarity with PATH Intl standards as they relate to horse management, selection, and training

8. Must be available some evening and weekend hours, with the ability to flex hours as appropriate

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Therapeutic Riding Instructor: (for complete details click here)

Support JoyRide Center’s mission and values by providing high quality, safe, and effective therapeutic riding instruction to JoyRide Center clients.

This is a full-time, salaried position of approximately 40 hours/week, 52 weeks per year

Qualifications: 

Education: High School or above; Equine/Animal Science or relevant college study preferred, but not required

Certification: Certification as instructor by PATH Intl as a CTRI, Advanced, or Master level preferred, but not required, will train right candidate; Certified in CPR and First Aid, or ability to obtain

Licensure:  None

Experience:

1. Experience providing therapeutic riding services (minimum two years preferred) or,

2. Experience teaching able-bodied lessons – 2 years’ experience preferred

3. Experience working with groups – clients and their families, other instructors, therapists, administrative personnel, volunteers, and donors

4. Experience with a variety of horses

 Special Knowledge and Skills:

1. Able to ride at an intermediate level (walk, trot, canter) at a minimum

2. Understand and recognize the special requirements and training needs of horses used in therapeutic riding

3. Familiarity with a variety of disabilities and their impact on acquiring riding skills

4. Familiarity with PATH Intl standards as they relate to therapeutic riding instruction

5. Must be available some evening and weekend hours, with the ability to flex hours as appropriate.

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Physical Therapist: (for complete details click here)

Support JoyRide Center’s mission and values by supporting the Physical Therapy Coordinator in maintaining, and implementing a physical therapy program for qualifying JoyRide Center clients.

This is a full-time, salaried position of approximately 40 hours/week, 52 weeks per year

Qualifications:

Education: Appropriate masters level degree as a Physical Therapist or higher

Licensure: Texas Physical Therapy License required

Certification: American Hippotherapy Association Registered level preferred

Certified by PATH Intl as a Certified, Advanced or Master level therapeutic riding instructor preferred

Current 1st aid and CPR certification

Experience:

1. Minimum of 1-year experience providing physical therapy services, ideally in pediatrics preferred

2. Experience providing physical therapy services that utilizes equine movement preferred

3. Experience teaching therapeutic riding services preferred

4. Experience working in a team setting including clients and their families, other instructors, therapists, administrative personnel, volunteers, and donors

5. Experienced horse person preferred

Special Knowledge and Skills:

1. Able to ride at an advanced beginner level (walk, trot) preferred

2. Understand and recognize the special requirements and training needs of horses used in therapeutic riding

3. Familiarity with a variety of disabilities and their relationship with the movement of a horse

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