Research has shown that volunteering has many benefits for the volunteer and community. If you would like to start 2024 off with a new purposeful activity, new friends, and new skills, consider volunteering at Reins of Life in Michigan City. Reins of Life is a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding organization that has been serving the people of northwest Indiana since 1978. Because of the high number of volunteers needed to provide its equine-assisted services to adults and children with disabilities, Reins is constantly adding to its volunteer ranks.

One of the active volunteers recently shared, “One thing I love about Reins is that everyone and everything is just so positive and directed towards all things good! Lots of good vibes always!”

Volunteer training will be offered on Monday, January 22, from 2-4:30 p.m. and Tuesday, January 23, from 5:30-8 p.m. CT. Attending one of these sessions will qualify you to volunteer during riding lessons. Volunteers are assigned one rider and horse for a session, which is about two months long. During the weekly lesson they get to know one another and gain horse experience. Volunteers must be able to walk 30-45 minutes at a time and be at least 13 years old.

In addition to therapeutic riding, Reins has the largest therapeutic carriage driving program in the United States. To become a volunteer for the driving program, volunteers must attend an additional training on Thursday, January 25, from 5-7 p.m. CT. There is significantly less walking required in this role.

To sign up for these training sessions, please RSVP to the barn at 219-874-7519. Leave your name, email address, and which training you would like to attend. You’ll be contacted with further details.

If you want to try something new this year which will benefit not only yourself, but help build a better community, give volunteering at Reins of Life a try!

Reins of Life is located at 9375 W. 300 N. in Michigan City. For more details on its programs, visit https://www.reinsoflife.org.