Reasons to be a P.A.H. Volunteer:
The Animals:
PAH has horses and donkeys who have at one time fallen on hard times due to neglect, abuse, abandonment and/or hoarding. Many of our horses have been surrendered to PAH through our intervention and first response team (we work with The SPCA and Police). Our volunteers learn how to rehabilitate the horses physically and emotionally. You have to see the results of the care they receive!
Volunteering provides a unique opportunity to add purpose, and fulfillment to our lives through the care and service of others, and making new friendships too.
Volunteering at PAH is good for the body and mind. Our stable and horse-care volunteers quickly realize that their time spent volunteering helps them to tone up, lose weight, become active and energized, and develop healthier habits. They feel happy and at peace with the horses in and around the stable on the 156 acre ranch.
The People:
PAH has the BEST volunteers! The farm becomes a social setting for many and a place they meet new people and develop close bonds while helping to heal and maintain the horses. The people at the ranch are accepting, non- judgmental and friendly! PAH is not a show or competition barn – it is all about the horses healing here and we maintain a peaceful environment for them.
Variety of tasks & opportunities to use your skills:
We need people to help with daily stable and horse care, including cleaning stalls, feeding, moving hay, restocking supplies, and grooming horses.
Volunteers are the focused eyes up and the boots on the ground at and around The Stable – they help to keep the animals safe. If an equine is acting strangely, or you notice a potential hazard – you may end up being a life-saver by staying attentive and notifying Nanci & your team leaders. We need your caring eyes, ears and attentiveness as part of our team.
We need horse handlers – ideal for College Interns or people who love horses, had a horse at one time and want to reconnect with what they loved. We need administrative help: fundraisers, grant writers, & office organizers. Maintenance – there is a lot of maintenance here on our 156 acre ranch – we need people to help with snow removal, grass mowing, trimming, garden work and tractor work.
Specific needs:
- Adults to help with feeding, stable care and horse handling. Seven days a week! (This caring & sustaining work is done everyday – we ask that Direct Care Volunteers can commit to at least one 2-3 hour shift once/week. If your schedule does not allow this, a bi-weekly commitment is acceptable).
- Program Assistants – people who can assist in programs as equine specialists within the afternoon programs 3pm-6pm Tuesday through Friday and Saturday
- College Student Interns can serve their field placement hours at PAH. Ideal for Equine Studies, PreVet, Social Work, Special Ed, Recreational Ed.
- Adults to help with Fundraising, Maintenance, Horse Buddy Program and Event Planning
There are a lot of valuable and necessary procedures to learn, you will receive training and mentorship from an experienced team leader (after your application is received, approved and you attend orientation). We will not expect you to know how to do everything on your own. The work done at PAH is unique and specific. Many equines have special care needs. We welcome, and encourage questions. Communication is a crucial part of the safety and success amongst the team.
The fact is… we need YOU! Peaceful Acres Horses was named the Small Not For Profit of the year in 2010 because our volunteers make it happen ~ it is through our volunteers that horses and humans are being healed and helped to have a better quality of life.
NOTE:
For the safety and security of both the horses and the people, it is necessary to set a specific time for visitors to access the property. If you would like to be introduced to the programs offered, schedule volunteer training (after filling out the application), or for other information about Peaceful Acres, please contact us at 518-347-7874 or nanci@peacefulacreshorses.com to arrange a time.
– Thank you for your interest in Peaceful Acres, and the great work that our team does for people and horses!
Ulysses
Peaceful Acres Horses is a volunteer run organization, your time and commitment to us is extremely valuable. PAH is looking to secure adult volunteers, 18+ to assist with stable care, horse care and rehabilitation, administration, event planning, Stable maintenance/grounds keeping, fundraising and community relations.
Volunteer Application Processing Contact: VolunteeratPAH@gmail.com
Please Note – All volunteer applications should be emailed to the volunteer processing contact or mailed to:
Peaceful Acres Horses
3740 Rynex Corners Rd.
Pattersonville, NY 12137
Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing.
If you do not hear back within 5 weeks, please email: helloPAHconnect@gmail.com
Volunteer Testimonials & Short Stories (more on Quick Look website page):
“Volunteering at Peaceful Acres Horses has brought me so much peace, stability, love, and happiness. The horses and the people have allowed me to find a place that feels like a second home. One of the reasons I started volunteering at PAH is because I was having extreme anxiety. One of the reasons I stayed is because PAH has helped my anxiety immensely. What a great cause and community filled with love and meaning. I will always hold the most special place in my heart for PAH, its people, and its horses! K.B.”
“I have been a volunteer at Peaceful Acres Horses for nearly two years. When I first started I was going through one of the worst times in my life. I was dealing with a very sudden breakup after 20 years of marriage, retirement, selling & buying a new house (moving) & turning 70. I could barely get a sentence out without crying. Through my volunteer work, the Horsin’Around Buddy program, and my equine-guided emotionally supportive personal growth coaching sessions with Nanci, I have been given a new purpose & perspective on life. I know I was only able to achieve this sense of peace through my hard work & the support of Nanci’s programs & her amazing rescues. I had no experience with horses & what I have learned they can give you emotionally has been amazing. I recommend becoming a PAH Volunteer, Horsin’Around Buddy and Nanci’s coaching course!” -D.F.
“When Nanci speaks of her purpose it resonates with me because through her organization and her I found myself. Six years ago I was put in touch with Peaceful acres and came to a volunteer orientation. I had no idea how much it would change my life. I’d never worked around horses, only ridden inconsistently. The weather that day was dreary, ice covering everything and cold, bitter cold. I had a moment of fear and regret and I am so thankful I shook it off and walked into the cabin.
I was looking for that horse therapy and something to satisfy my love of volunteering. What I found was myself. I found what makes me tick.
Since volunteering I’ve made some wonderful connections with people, I’ve witnessed both the joys of rescue and the heartache that exists. More importantly I’ve learned how to navigate situations in my own life because of the therapy and the outlet that being with horses and the donkeys too provides.
Looking back on the last six years the horses and all the rescues at Peaceful Acres along with Nanci and her small menagerie have left a huge positive impression on me. I’m stronger, I’m happier and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.
Whether you need to get with nature, or want to learn some horse handling, volunteering at Peaceful acres is going to deliver. It’s a thrill to watch the rescues learn to trust again, or heal. It’s an even greater joy to earn their love and watch them work their magic. Animals heal us, they healed my shoulder, and fixed my heart issues. Science backs this, however having experienced it first hand is quite exhilarating.
I look forward to my days out there no matter the weather because each time I leave I feel so at peace and unencumbered. There’s nothing more rewarding and it’s become my purpose too.” -E.S
Continued Testimonials & Short Stories:
“Eight months before I started volunteering at PAH, I broke my leg and had to have a few months of physical therapy. It was frustrating because I like to be active physically and mentally. When I started walking too much too soon, I experienced serious pain in both knees. I finally got a cortisone shot, which helped my knees, but I was still hesitant about walking and hurting them again. But now, as a volunteer at PAH, my physical confidence has improved, my mind gets a break from daily worries, and I am able to walk up the sloping road without pain! But it’s the feeling of calm and peace that has helped me most. The name “Peaceful Acres” brings not only peace to the horses, but also to me. I love being around the horses and cherish my time there with them.” -K.R
(slider photo gallery of older moments at PAH):
The Network For Good button is Peaceful Acres Horses’ easy & secure resource for supporters to make donations and/or sign-up for our most popular programs.
To learn more about us, please spend some time exploring this newly (2024) updated website. We are so excited to have you here and appreciate your interest, compassion for people & animals, and your contributions to sustain the valuable work that’s done at Peaceful Acres.