Volunteer Opportunities, Orientations & Trainings

Please note, we will announce our next volunteer trainings as soon as we can! Thank you for your patience!

Click Below for Opportunities, Orientation & Training Dates

Click Below for Opportunities, Orientation & Training Dates

  • Barn chores - support our barn team as we clean stalls and paddocks, fill water buckets, feed grain and hay and prepare for the program day ahead.

    Sidewalker - walk and jog alongside our participants as they ride during their lesson or therapy session.

    Horse Groom - gather tack and ready the horse assigned so they can be brushed and ready for the lesson or therapy session ahead.

    Horse Leader - lead the horse during a lesson or therapy session so the participant can focus on learning, gaining new skills, and developing independence.

    Greeter - meet and greet our participants and their families to the property. Use your smiling face and joyful personality to bring a welcoming experience.

    Gardener– prepare the soil, plant seeds and provide ongoing care for seasonal vegetables, herbs and flowers to be enjoyed by our horses and community members.

    Facility Maintenance – assist with maintenance, carpentry, and landscaping needs of our facilities and property.

    Administrative, Development, PR/Marketing or Fundraising - use your experience to help further our mission.

    Gala Committee – do you enjoy engaging with others? Help with the planning, auction item solicitation and building attendance for our annual black-tie gala Horsing Around at the Mandarin.

  • This is the first training for all volunteers. This one hour orientation will explain what BINA Farm Center is all about, programs we offer and the different volunteer opportunities available.

    Dates & Times: TBD

    Prerequisites: You must have completed your volunteer portal application and paperwork to register for a volunteer orientation.

  • In this training you will learn how to be a Sidewalker in Adaptive Riding (previously named Therapeutic Riding)

    Dates & Times: TBD

    Prerequisites: You must have attended and successfully completed our Volunteer Orientation to attend this training.

  • In this training you will learn how to be a Groom in riding lessons.
    Dates & Times: TBD

    Prerequisites: You must have attended our Volunteer Orientation & Training 1 to attend this training. If you have extensive horse handling experience you may be considered for Training 2 without needing Training 1. 

  • In this training you will learn how to be a Leader in riding lessons.

    Dates & Times: TBD

    Prerequisites: You must have attended our Volunteer Orientation, and Training 2 to attend this training.If you have extensive horse handling experience you may be considered for Training 3 without needing Training 1. 

  • This specialized training is meant to equip volunteers to sign up for shifts supporting occupational or physical therapy sessions.

    Dates & Times: Current volunteers are encouraged to express interest via volunteer@binafarm.org

    Prequisites: You must have attended our Volunteer Orientation, Training 1, Training 2 and/or Training 3 to attend this specialized training.

  • This training will cover the following topics at our Lexington location: mucking stalls, full process of checking, filling and clearing waters with hose and pump, meal preparations by filling hay nets, review of barn chore resources and task lists, how to interact with the horses while completing chores safely and effectively, and more!

    Dates & Times: TBD

    Prerequisites: You must have attended our Volunteer Orientation to attend this training. 

  • This training will cover the below topics at our Lexington location: Feeding grain and hay, Picking occupied paddocks, Turn-in and Turn-out procedures, blanketing and extra gear among others!

    Dates & Times: TBD

    Prerequisites: You must have attended our Volunteer Orientation and Barn Chore Training 1 to attend this training. 

  • This training will cover the skills you need to volunteer at our Dana Hall location in Wellesley. Horse experience is strongly recommended, but not mandatory.

    Dates & Times: TBD

    Prerequisites: Previous horse experience is highly recommended. Volunteers who have attended all Lexington location trainings can be considered for volunteer shifts at DHS.

“I started volunteering to be with the horses, then I realized how special it was to be with the kids. You see how they light up when you are around. So, I guess I started because of the horses, but now I stay for the kids”

~ Nino A., volunteer

"Although I am still learning where things are and what to do, I know I can count on the people around me to answer questions, to teach me by doing. What made this possible was some feeling of BELONGING. You made me feel like I belonged to a bigger thing--relatively quickly. That's wonderful. By the time I sat on a horse for the first time... I realized being on a horse was amazing. But it wasn't the destination. It was, as they say, part of the journey..."

~ Carolyn, volunteer and recreational riding participant