Each day, tens of thousands of people generously give their time through volunteer work - and the impact is significant. One local nonprofit understands this value and is actively seeking new volunteers to join its dedicated team.

Breaking Free Therapeutic Riding Center in Norwich is A Premier Accredited Center with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, or PATH International. It provides children and adults with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding, and volunteers are essential. 

“Volunteers are the engine that drives our programs, and our success is because of the time and energy they give,” said Executive Director Linda Lake. 

Breaking Free was founded by Linda and Bryan Lake in 2008 on their family farm. It now has a stable of 13 therapy ponies and horses. In 2024, it provided over 1200 riding lessons for up to 45 riders each week. 

The Center kicked off the 2025 season in April with a full slate of classes. From now through October, participants are welcomed every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for both daytime and evening sessions.

Therapeutic horseback riding is a proven way for people to build strength, balance, coordination, and self-esteem. Essential to this skill building are the scores of people who assist.

Volunteers at Breaking Free join a team that includes three certified therapeutic riding instructors, equine trainers, farmhands, and others who find purpose and meaning in this work.

One does not need any horse experience or skills to qualify.

The ideal volunteer is 16 years of age or older, although those as young as 14 can also volunteer. Newcomers receive thorough training and refresher courses are given at the beginning of each season. Rookie volunteers are also paired with more experienced ones when they begin.

Breaking Free volunteer Amy Stelzer had a lifelong love of horses and cherished every opportunity to be around them. When a friend who volunteered at Breaking Free encouraged her to do the same, Amy saw the perfect chance to spend time with horses and give back to the community.

“Little did I know that my love of horses would lead me to a new purpose in my life,” Amy recalled. “Seeing our riders’ smiles and their families sharing stories of milestones they never thought their child would reach is amazing.”

What Amy didn’t realize was the deeper meaning behind volunteering at Breaking Free. 'I thought what I was doing was giving back,” she reflected, 'but in reality, I was receiving more joy than I thought possible.”

For volunteer Jayne Phipps Chase, a retired educator, she is able to combine her love for children and horses at Breaking Free.

“It’s so amazing to see kids who are afraid and cannot ride, learn to love it and advance their riding abilities as they gain confidence,” Jayne said. 

Jayne has been volunteering at Breaking Free for nine years and also gets satisfaction in helping with special events like “Read with a Horse”, the Annual “Duck Derby, and Student Horse Show”.

There is a volunteer opportunity for everyone at Breaking Free, ranging from hands-on work with horses and helping children to assisting with fundraising events and supporting maintenance and facility needs.

“You’ll be glad you are a part of this, and we would love to have you,” Amy said.

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering at Breaking Free, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 740-995-9395/740-624-6211 or email volcoordfbtrc@att.net

For additional information about the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding,

log onto www.breakingfreeriding.org.

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