Our Volunteers Make It Happen! In 2009, Rainbow Connection had over 35 dedicated volunteers who donated a total of over 4,000 hours of their time to ensure a quality program for our riders and excellent care of our beloved therapy horses, as well as helping with fund raising and extra activities. Our teenage volunteers under the guidance of Volunteer Coordinator Brienne Mabry, have proven to be excellent assistants in helping therapeutic riding instructors and therapists with our challenged students.

Volunteer Forms:
• Volunteer Registration Form
• Volunteer Emergency Form

Therapeutic Riding is a growing and widely accepted treatment for rehabilitating a range of physical, mental and emotional disabilities. The medical term for using equines in treatment is “Hippotherapy.” Conditions served include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, neuromuscular disorders, post-traumatic brain injury, autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, functional spinal curvature, learning or language disabilities, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and cognitive disorders and FAS. In Hippotherapy, a specially trained therapist positions the client on the horse, analyzes the patient’s physical response to the animal and directs the movement of the horse to achieve specific goals. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association sets the accreditation standards for therapeutic riding programs and certification standards for instructors. Rainbow Connection is one of the 650 NARHA centers in North America and the only NARHA accredited program in Alaska.