Mini Handler

We always need new volunteers to join our family of friends. Qualification is experience working with horses, preferably miniature horses. If you would like to join us, please read the below, download the application and email us at minisandfriendsvolunteers@gmail.com with your interest. We will send you detailed information with our mini brochure, our Visits FAQ, and other interesting info about our non-profit.

• ​Our minimum volunteer age is 16 with parent (many facilities require volunteers to be at least 16 years old, regardless of a parent being present). Clarification of AGE-RESTRICTED will show on the calendar (NO EXCEPTION).
• If you are 70 or more, we have opportunities but not as a Mini-Handler - safety for you! Join a mini-team as the observer, a very important part to assure all of the visits goes well.

Mini-Handler Requirements - you must be physically fit to handle a miniature horse of 100 - 220# in all situations. The minis may be small but they are strong. This is our most popular position - but we need to let you know beforehand - that Safety is #1 in Minis and Friends

• • Please be aware that working with the minis is physically challenging. Mini handlers must be able to stand for long periods of time as well as have excellent balance. Your work as a handler requires agility to move alongside the mini while walking as well as move quickly when changing positions during a close-up interaction with those we visit. We ensure the safety of both the minis as well as our volunteers or the reverse at all times and this has given us a fantastic reputation for being "safety first" when we work with the little horse therapists.

Volunteer Training is now Hands-On teaching at an actual visit. You will be invited to an actual visit to learn and try out what we do. After the visit, you will tell the mini lead if you want to continue working with us and then she will give you your logo t-shirt, a How To Visual Workbook and collect the Admin fee of $25.00. You will then be added to our Volunteer Group either on Facebook or Discord where we post our planned visits and events.

• We currently work 3 times a month, 2 Saturdays and 1 Sunday. Usually AM for Saturday visits (90 minutes) and early afternoon on Sunday (90 minutes).
• Our current visit area is South Austin, Westlake and a few other locations where shelters for abused and neglected children are. These shelters are Helping Hand Home and Settlement Home for Children.

It's great to work with the little horses and watch the joy and wonderment of the people of all ages we visit. Give us a try - I promise you'll glow the rest of the week following the visit :)

We have been in existence for 22 years in the Austin area. We currenly have one mini-owner and 6 trained miniature horses. We work indoors and outside :)