Internships
CTRC offers a variety of internships based on the intern’s background and what he/she desires to learn from the internship. CTRC tailors internships so that the intern can meet his/her educational needs. CTRC interns have the opportunity to learn about many areas of the program and can choose to focus their internship in one area or be involved in multiple areas (equine, program, volunteer management…) gaining experience in volunteer coordination, general horse care, horse training, horse selection, disabilities, disability awareness, therapeutic riding lesson planning, and/or side walking and horse leading with our wonderful therapeutic riding instructors and/or therapists (PT, OT). Most interns choose to be involved in multiple areas to experience how a therapeutic riding center operates as well as the daily functions of a non-profit.
The Internship Application includes an Information Form, Consent & Release Form, and Confidentiality Policy. To receive an application, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 303-652-9131, or email them here.
This can be done in one of the following ways…
• Fax to 303-532-0164
• Email to Volunteer Coordinator
• Mail to CTRC (11968 Mineral Rd, Longmont, CO 80504), ATT Volunteer Coordinator
If you are 18 years or age or older you MUST complete a background screening via the Verified Volunteer Screening process before you can begin interning.
CTRC offers a variety of internships, as well as tailors internships to meet educational needs. We find the interns wishing to develop skills or pursuing advanced education in the following fields/areas of interest best suited for internships at CTRC:
- Equine Science
- Recreational Therapy
- Psychology
- Education
- Human Development
- Pre-PT / Pre-SLP
- Nonprofit management
- Social Work
- Therapeutic Riding/Equine-Assisted Activities
Investing in interns is a great way to provide academic learning, career development, skill development and personal development in exchange for helping CTRC to accomplish projects while engaging in the community with enthusiasm and presenting new ideas into our program settings. Internship expectations are:
- Internships are unpaid positions.
- Housing accommodations are the responsibility of the Intern.
- Commitment of 15-40 hours a week for at least 8 weeks. The length of the internship is based on the intern’s and CTRC’s needs.
- Schedule is to be arranged with Internship supervisor.
- Internships can be completed for college credit.
- To know and support CTRC’s mission.
- Adherence to Policies and Procedures as stated in CTRC’s Program Operations Manual.
- Represent CTRC in a positive, supportive, respectful and professional manner always.
Work directly with our Facilities Manager, Equine Manager, and Barn Assistant to learn about horse care, training, and the process of a horse becoming a therapeutic riding and/or Equine Assisted Therapy horse. Some horse experience required for this internship. Some examples of tasks are:
- Attend Barn Team meetings & if relevant present on a horse health or training topic.
- Assist with implementing de-worming and vaccination plan and vet and farrier appointments, feeding and turn in/out.
- Attend prospective equine evaluations.
- Assist with equine training. May include lunging and/or riding horses, depending on need & riding experience of intern.
- Learn about horse selection process.
- Assist with saddle fitting.
- Perform tack and vet supply checks.
Work directly with the Program Director to learn about program elements associated with Equine Assisted Activies and Therapies. Some examples of tasks are:
- Learn about disabilities and disability awareness, contraindications to riding, rider paperwork, and assist with rider evaluations.
- Shadow instructors in class and learn about lesson planning, skill progression, task analysis, etc.
- Lead a special project. (i.e. develop and implement rider awards program, rider resource notebook, basic disabilities information, etc.)
- Assist with routine inspection of equipment (helmets, props for arena, human first aid check, etc.)
Work directly with the Volunteer Coordinator to learn about managing a successful volunteer program and developing a volunteer community. Some examples of tasks are:
- Field new volunteer inquires and assist with New Volunteer Trainings.
- Communicate with instructors to ensure their volunteer needs are met.
- Assist in ensuring classes run smoothly, safely and on time by providing support to instructors and volunteers. CTRC has PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors who lead therapeutic riding classes and licensed therapists that lead Equine Assisted Therapy and Equine Assisted Mental Health classes.
- Side walk and/or horse lead in our Therapeutic Riding and Equine Assisted Therapy classes.
Why become an Intern at CTRC?
- We offer you the guidance and practical experience you will need to complete your internship.
- With the diversity of services at CTRC, you can gain exposure to a wide range of equine assisted services as well as non-profit aspects such as program management, fundraising and more.
Yo will be assigned an Internship supervisor that will guide you through out the internship, provide feedback and complete midterm and final evaluations if necessary.
- We want to see you succeed and will do all that we can to assist you in learning and gaining experiences throughout the duration of your internship.
- CTRC offers specific training in relation to internship. Additionally, interns will receive Emergency Training, New Volunteer Training, Horse Handling Training and Equipment Training.