We ❤️ Our Helpers
Everything you need in one place — schedules, sign-ups, resources, and more.
Helpers Schedule
View open shifts, assigned shifts, and volunteer opportunities.
👥 Student Volunteers
You're welcome to join any 🟥 Open Shift that already has a 🟩 Worker Assigned (for safety & supervision).
Students — Today's Calendar
View-only calendar of today's student sessions.
Student List — Today
Who's coming in today.
Student List — Next Week
Plan ahead — see who's coming next week.
Sign Up for Shifts
Claim an open shift and we'll get you on the calendar.
✅ How to Sign Up
📹 New here?
Watch this quick video walkthrough (no sound) to see how the sign-up process works.
🏖️ Need Time Off?
Please put your time off on the form — otherwise Sally might ask you 200 times! (and still forget)
Submit Time Off Request →Helpers' Handbook
Our guide for how we treat people, care for animals, and grow together.
You are part of a community built on trust, care, boundaries, and growth. Whether you're a worker, part-time team member, or volunteer, this guide is for you.
We don't expect perfection — but we do ask you to show up with presence, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.
We grow through relationships.
🧭 Our Core Values
🛡️ Safety
We lead with calm, steady awareness to keep all people and animals safe and ready to learn.
🤝 Inclusion
We adapt to meet different needs and create belonging, while maintaining boundaries that keep our community safe.
🧭 Integrity
We do the right thing, all the time, even when it's hard. We take ownership of our actions, follow through on commitments, and learn from our mistakes so we can do better next time.
💗 Compassion
We act with empathy, honor dignity, and treat all beings with kindness and respect.
🐴 Connection
We build meaningful connections with animals and people that create trust and confidence.
🌱 Growth
We encourage learning and growth, even when it's hard. We support each other through challenges because everyone is capable of more than they know.
👥 How We Work With People
- Speak clearly and calmly — be kind, direct, and consistent.
- Redirect students with kindness and firmness.
- Respect different ways of communicating and learning.
- Hold boundaries with compassion.
What matters most is your presence. Being kind, calm, and willing to help goes farther than you think. You set the tone — your calm presence makes growth possible.
🐴 How We Work With Animals
Our animals are not tools — they're partners. We lead with calm body language, clear signals, and steady follow-through.
We honor hesitation, while encouraging gentle persistence — especially with our older horses, who still deserve purpose and partnership.
Caring for animals means more than riding or handling. It's checking water, cleaning stalls, and showing up to meet their needs — every day.
We communicate with animals the same way we aim to communicate with people: clearly, respectfully, and with care.
🧑🌾 The Work We Do
There's always something that needs doing — like cleaning stalls, sweeping, or refilling water buckets.
Ask if you're unsure. Stay engaged.
We grow by doing hard things — together.
📚 Learning Is Part of the Job
You'll get corrections, feedback, and redirection. That's how we grow here.
Be open. Stay curious. Remember: practice doesn't mean you're doing it wrong — it means you're building something that lasts.
This is a place for learners, not experts. We're all growing here.
⏱️ What to Expect Day-to-Day
- Be on time (or early if you can).
- Wear closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothes.
- Bring a refillable water bottle.
- Stay alert and ask questions if something feels off.
- Jump in when you see a need.
📎 Please read our What to Wear & What to Bring page:
cheyneranch.com/dress💬 You Matter Here
Whether you're cleaning stalls, leading a student, or filling a water bucket — your presence makes a difference. Everything in this handbook reflects the values we live by. You bring them to life every day. Thank you for being part of Cheyne Ranch.
Youth & Animal Care Helper
Your job description, the skills you'll master, and how we measure success.
🐴 Take Care of Our Animals, Barn & Property
- Lots of cleaning — stalls, water buckets, sweeping, organizing, keeping everything tidy
- Feed animals and make sure they have fresh water
- Put tools away where they belong
- Make sure everything looks good for visitors
👨👩👧👦 Help with Programs
- Adaptive riding lessons — Assist the instructor as students of all abilities learn to ride horses safely, including mounting and dismounting assistance
- Nature Club / Camps — Assist with teaching animal care and connection, games, and other fun activities
- PALS program — Help instructor as students learn important life skills
- Birthday parties — Make special days extra fun
- Family visits — Show families around and help them feel welcome
- Field trips — Help groups learn about horses and ranch life
🛡️ Keep Everyone Safe
- Follow all safety rules — even when no one is watching
- Think ahead to prevent problems before they happen
- Know when to handle something yourself vs. when to ask for help
- Stay calm when unexpected things happen (because they will!)
📱 Use Our Systems
- Read and follow the task list on the computer
- Mark off tasks when you finish them
- Use the time clock correctly
🌟 What Makes Someone Great at This Job
- ✓You show up when you're supposed to
- ✓You finish what you start
- ✓You're kind to everyone — kids, families, horses, animals, and teammates
- ✓You can think on your feet when things don't go as planned
- ✓You follow safety rules automatically because you've practiced them until they're habits
- ✓You ask questions when you're not sure about something
✅ What You Need
- Volunteer here for 50–100 hours (so you know how we do things!)
- You can lift heavy things (water buckets, feed bags, hay bales)
- You're okay working outside in all kinds of weather
- You have a way to get here reliably
- You like working with kids of all abilities and animals
Master these skills to work independently and assist with programs safely.
🐴 Horse Basics
Read horse body language and respond with awareness. Move confidently and calmly around horses, even in busy spaces.
🎯 Safe Handling
Confidently halter, lead, and tie horses using safe techniques. Navigate gates, doorways, and shared spaces with control.
👷♀️ Safety Gear & Equipment
Wear and help others use proper safety gear (shoes, helmets). Keep tack and equipment clean, organized, and safe to use.
🧠 Communication & Problem-Solving
Use good judgment to know when to act and when to seek help. Communicate clearly and calmly using ranch systems. Stay steady under pressure.
🧽 Grooming & Hoof Care
Groom horses safely and thoroughly, including hooves. Notice and report health or comfort concerns.
🏇 Lesson Support & Tack
Handle tack correctly and notice when adjustments are needed. Assist with mounting/dismounting. Support lessons by leading horses and setting up activities.
🦄 Arena & Program Activities
Set up and support program activities accurately and safely. Adapt quickly to changes and help instructors stay focused on teaching.
🧹 Independent Barn Work
Complete barn chores thoroughly and independently. Document work on the digital task list. Finish what you start — never leave a job half done.
🥕 Feeding & Nutrition
Follow the feed chart consistently and accurately. Maintain food safety and prevent mix-ups.
✨ "See It, Do It" Leadership
Take ownership of shared spaces and keep them visitor-ready. Show initiative, pride, and consistency in your work.
The big-picture outcomes your work drives.
Deliver youth programs and animal care that transform lives — while ensuring student growth, animal well-being, and mission alignment.
1. Animal Care Excellence
Maintain healthy, safe, comfortable environments for all animals. Complete daily care tasks consistently and independently.
📊 Animals are thriving, facilities are visitor-ready
2. Program Support Impact
Enhance student experiences in adaptive riding, PALS, and Nature Club. Support instructors to deliver quality programming.
📊 Programs run smoothly, students show progress
3. Team Culture & Mission
Model core values and create a welcoming atmosphere for all. Communicate mission effectively to families and community.
📊 Positive feedback, strong team collaboration
4. Reliability & Growth
Demonstrate consistent attendance and task completion. Take initiative. Use the digital task list and time clock consistently.
📊 Trusted for independent work, ready for advancement
Helpful Resources
Quick links to everything you might need.