Instructors | thehorseprayer

Can you give at least 1 hour a week to empower a child to achieve their goals through a connection with horses? We are looking for program instructors and horse handlers to join our Program team.

Instructor

Enthusiasm and comfort in working alongside children with special needs and challenges including those with Autism, ADD/ADHD and cognitive deficits. An instructor must understand the process of introduction to the equine and all the processes from entering a stall, haltering, grooming, tack fitting, feed and care, horsemanship 101, ect. May perform equine warm up groundwork prior to student sessions. Communicate detailed information to the student and show processes in alternating ways so as to accommodate the student's abilities. Work well with the equine team, communicating clearly. Capable of focusing on the student and equine during the session time. Know when to terminate a session due to and potential student/ equine safety.

Shows great kindness and patience with children.
Performs positive redirection and reinforcement with students.
Confidence in leadership with the equine human partnership.
Polite and compassionate towards the needs of the equines, students, volunteers and public.
Experience and confidence with equines including knowledge of equine needs and their behavior including equine non verbal language comprehension.
Capable of facilitating a relationship between the horse and student.
Knowledge in performing equine groundwork.
Knowledge of equine medical needs and first aid ie...colic, choking, foundering, laminitas, masticate behaviors (quidding, dropping food), dermatis (skin issues), etc, assess and apply topical meds.
Knowledge of equine care schedule and can advise others on the location of each equine medical file regarding (injections, trims, vet checks, spa days, etc.).
Knowledgeable of tack use, proper fittings, care, and capable of training others of proper use and care (blanketing, leg wraps, hoof protection, ear muffs, fly masks etc.).
Understands differences of equine feeding requirements.
Knowledge of the flow of equine and pedestrian traffic at THP.
Documents equine performance, needs or requirements pre and/post session as well as health issues, changes or concerns and provide to equine director.
Will stop a session anytime the student’s safety, health or mental state needs support.
Will abide by the State HIPPA laws in regards to THP students.
To be trained in the THP curriculum the THP way and read the THP information regarding working with children with special needs.
Will notify personnel in the event of any emergency.
30 days advance commitment to their availability for THP work schedule (Monday-Sunday).
Responsible for open and close the THP facility.
Will assess equine product needs and relay information to our purchasing department.
Will make yourself available for team meetings committee meetings.
24 hr advance notice if a personal emergency arises and you cannot make your committed work date. This is extremely important as there are students and volunteers that have also committed to being on your team for this same date and time.
Knowledge of weather conditions and the need to determine program or session cancellations or adjustments.
Be available for THP continued education course requirements.
Holds a current first aid and CPR training certification.
Report/document any conflicts or issues to Equine Director immediately.

Horse Handler

Experience in working with and around horses on the ground, mounted and unmounted. Performs equine warm up groundwork prior to student sessions. Work well with the equine team communicating clearly your or the needs of the equine for the highest success during each student session. Capable of focusing on the equine during the session time while listening to the Instructor's and students' interactions. Know when to terminate a session due to and potential equine issue or emergency.

Knowledge, experience, confidence with equines.
Knowledge in performing equine groundwork.
Confidence in leadership with the equine human partnership.
Knowledge of equine needs and their behavior including equine non verbal language comprehension.
Knowledge of equine medical needs and first aid ie...colic, choking, foundering, laminitas, masticate behaviors (quidding, dropping food), dermatis (skin issues), etc, assess and apply topical meds.
Understands differences of equine feeding requirements.
Knowledgeable of all tack use, proper fittings, care and capable of training others of proper use and care (including blanketing, leg wraps, hoof protection, ear muffs, fly masks etc.).
Will assess equine product needs and relay information to our purchasing department.
Knowledge of equine care schedule and can advise others on the location of each equine medical file regarding (injections, trims, vet checks, spa days, etc.).
Knowledge of each equine nutritional needs.
Focus on the needs and capabilities of equine while in a student session.
Will document equine performance, needs or requirements pre and/post session as well as health issues, changes or concerns and provide to equine director.
Will give 30 days advance commitment to their availability for THP work schedule (Monday-Sunday).
Polite and compassionate towards the needs of the equines, students, volunteers and public.
Will abide by the State HIPPA laws in regards to THP students.
Responsible for open and close the THP facility.
Notify personnel in the event of any emergency.
Available for team meetings.
24 hr advance notice if a personal emergency arises and you cannot make your committed work date. This is extremely important as there are students and volunteers that have also committed to being on your team for this same date and time.
Knowledge of weather conditions and the need to determine program or session cancellations or adjustments.
Understands that all medical care for THP equines is confidential and should only be shared with equine committee and THP board.
Can lead equine with student through obstacle course safely and intuitively making adjustments if needed.
Can lead equine with student mounted through obstacle course safely and intuitively making adjustment if needed
Puts the equine needs first for the safety of all involved. Will stop a session anytime the equine’s safety, health or mental state needs support.
Available for THP continued education course requirements.
Holds a current first aid and CPR training certification.
Report/document any conflicts or issues to Equine Director immediately.

Our Team

We strive to offer the best programs possible to our community. The heart of the program begins with quality instructors and program assistants. Each of our team members, including the horses themselves, are hand-selected and trained to serve THP's students and their families in what we call, The THP Way. The methods we use are unique to THP and can only be found here.

Our team of instructors include:

Trisha Jones, business manager of Raintree Vet and Olympia Pet Emergency. She has extensive horse experience and brings her knowledge to the team.

Arlynn Martin, Special Education teacher with a Master's degree in education and a long-time horse owner. She is passionate about helping kids learn and grow. She has seen the benefits of equine connection and shares her love for horses with each student.

Layne Martin, student and horse lover also brings her kindness to the arena with each student she works with.

Hailey Jones, student, award-winning horsemanship rider brings her knowledge of horses, love of children and desire to help others to THP students.

Stephanie Lewis, a long-time horse owner with previous experience in therapeutic equine programs comes to THP with her passion for connecting children with horses.

Terry Korst, horse and child lover with growing experience has joined the team of 2020 program instructors.

Elaina Tonto, a professional horsemanship riding instructor brings her vast knowledge and experience to THP as our riding instructor. Elaina offers riding instruction to both THP program participants and the community. alike.