Reins of Life trains new volunteers to work with disabled children

by Tristan Henry (thenry@wsbt.com)

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Reins of Life volunteers practice (WSBT Photo)

New voluntees learn the ropes at Reins of Life on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008. (WSBT Photo)

By WSBT News1

SOUTH BEND — A local organization that helps disabled children work with horses held a training session for its new volunteers.

Reins of Life in South Bend provides therapy through horseback riding.

Saturday volunteers learned how to help children get on the horses, and how to help them stay on the horses.

"I love horses and I love working with young people and I thought this would be a great combination, two in one," said new volunteer Chris Chrapliwy.

Frank Petriko has been volunteering for three years.

"Some friends of ours have a son who rides here and when we moved to our new home in Michigan we were looking for a place to volunteer and he was telling us about this so we came out here and fell in love with it," he said.

Organizers say safety for the riders, the horses and the volunteers is their number one goal.

Reins of Life is still looking for more volunteers. They ask for a two hour per week commitment.

Click here for more information on Reins of Life.

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 7:52 PM Sashana wrote ...

hi my name is Sashana i would love to work with disabled kids..my dream is to help them..anyone knows where i can get a job or know some one please contact me at (347-561-7235) or email me at sashy_g@hotmail.com..i would be happy to assist.

Friday, May 2 at 2:44 PM Tiara wrote ...

Hi my name is Tiara and i am going to help all the kids i can when i go to help i am 11 and i was at a program and i asked for jokey but my anut said she couldn't find one so hopefuly i get to come back but until i come i am going to look froward till this day

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