top of page
Horse Legs

Internships

Internship Purpose:

Interns will combine their knowledge learned in the classroom with displays of leadership and responsibility while also developing skills and building relationships. Interns will obtain practical experience and academic credit as part of their education. 

​

Eligibility:

  • 18 years or older

  • High school diploma or GED

  • Must be available to complete internship hours on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays between 9am-6pm.

  • All interns, volunteers, and staff at RFJ must clear a criminal background check.

  • Please check individual position descriptions for additional eligibility requirements.

​

Additional Requirements:

  • Ability to independently complete required forms, schedule online, and report internship hours.

  • Ability to follow directions, communicate clearly, and respond to emergencies effectively.

  • Reliable roundtrip transportation (Uber/Lyft do not pickup here).

 

Responsibilities May Include:

  • Attend staff meetings and assist with volunteer trainings.

  • Leading and side walking during lessons as needed.

  • Develop relationships with riders, volunteers and staff.

  • Maintain office, arena, tack and stall organization and cleaning practices.

  • Learn how to write individual and group goals, evaluate rider progress and create lesson plans.

  • Understand risk management procedures, PATH Intl. standards and precautions and contraindications. 

  • Help plan and implement annual camps and special events.

  • Enhance social media, advertising and public relations through publications and website management.

  • Attend prospective equine and rider evaluations. Learn about pairing riders with horses and instructors.

  • Assist with equine training. May include lunging and/or riding horses.

  • Assist with grooming, bathing, tacking, feeding, turning in/out and during vet/farrier appointments. 

  • May have the opportunity to participate in selecting new members of our herd of therapy horses. 

DSC_1077.JPG

Browse Our Opportunities

Equine & Barn Management

Work directly with the Equine Manager to learn skills relating to equine and barn management. Opportunities include learning about horse care and training, health care and first aid, and building a relationship between horse and rider. Interns may also choose to work with PATH Intl. certified instructors through observation and mentorship, to learn about lesson planning, skill progress and program implementation. Additionally, arrangements can be made to work directly with the Executive Director and/or Volunteer Manager to learn valuable skills in the non-profit sector.

​

Non-Profit Management

Interns will explore a wide range of management techniques in a non-profit environment. Interns may have projects in the areas of recruitment, training, education, data entry, strategic planning, program operation and elements associated with equine assisted services. Work directly with the Executive Director to learn about fundraising, development, grant writing and media outreach. Assist the Volunteer Manager with recruiting, training and retaining volunteers. Opportunities to work directly with staff to develop lesson planning, program implementation, and equine and barn management skills can also be arranged.

​

Equine-Assisted Services

Interns will explore what goes into planning and facilitating adaptive horseback riding lessons at a Premier Accredited Center of PATH International. Interns will gain a valuable perspective on the role of the therapeutic riding instructor through observation and mentorship of PATH Intl. certified instructors, while learning about lesson planning, skill progression and program implementation. Interns will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the industry of Equine-Assisted Services, assist as a side-walker during adaptive horseback riding lessons for people with diverse abilities and military veterans, plan games and activities that will be implemented during EAS lessons, and learn about the process of obtaining a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) certification through PATH Intl. Time spent side-walking during adaptive riding lessons can contribute to the “Evidence of Working With Individuals With Disabilities” section of the CTRI Application. Opportunities to work directly with staff to develop nonprofit management, volunteer management, and equine and barn management skills can also be arranged. This internship offers an opportunity to learn how equine assisted services support physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth and wellbeing and may be particularly relevant to students in the fields of human services, education, and medicine.

​

How To Apply:

  1. Review Ride for Joy's website and learn more about our organization.

  2. Complete an application and waiver online.

  3. Email Shea Cobb your resume, internship semester preference, internship emphasis, dates available for the internship and day of the week (Tuesday and/or Wednesday) that you are available to work during the internship. 

bottom of page