See the STAR Calendar for the next Volunteer Training Session.

Our STAR riders are asked to pay only a portion of the actual cost of lesson fees. We do not ever want to turn away a rider for inability to pay, therefore, we offer Rider Sponsorships to families who need financial help to ride at STAR. If you would like to sponsor a rider so they can experience the therapeutic benefits of the STAR program, please contact the office at 865.988.4711.

One rider--$500
Two riders--$1,000
Three riders--$1,500
Four riders--$2,000

STAR riders pay a portion of the actual cost of lesson fees. However, there are many costs to STAR associated with lessons that do not get passed on to the rider. With your donation, we will be able to continue providing cost efficient services to the disabled population of East Tennessee. Please contact the STAR office at 865.988.4711 for more information regarding the Lesson Patron Program.

Junior Volunteers (10-12 years) are not directly involved with the lesson, but assist in getting things ready, cleanup and horse care.

Lesson Volunteers (13 years and older) One to three volunteers are required for each rider. Thus, the major work force consists of more than 120 volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to help the program succeed.

Requirements:

Like to help others
Dependable & Responsible
Must be able to commit to at least 1 hour 15 minutes each week at a set time and day for entire session
Do not have to know anything about horses - but wonderful if you do
Comfortable working around people
Have a positive attitude
Able to work independently
Able to walk/jog up to 30 minutes
Must have adequate body size, strength and experience for specified task

Jobs Will Include:

Leading horses (those with horse experience only)
Grooming and tacking horses
Sidewalking with riders
Getting equipment out and putting it away
Maintaining barn and equipment
Assist with special events, shows and work days
Miscellaneous tasks

Since 1983, many organizations have come to STAR to lend a helping hand. Help has come from professional personnel in aid to the horses such as veterinarians and farriers. Naval Reservists, Marine Corp Reservists, McGhee-Tyson National Guard, employees of Whirlpool Corporation, construction companies, college fraternities and sororities, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and church groups, have pushed up their sleeves and remodeled buildings, put up fences, graded the ring, cleaned out stalls, put up hay, built and painted ramps, cleaned tack and did hundreds of other chores. We are extremely grateful to these wonderful helping hands.

STAR Volunteer Policy Manual

Download a copy of the STAR Volunteer Policy Manual that contains all the information you will need to know about becoming a volunteer at STAR.

Forms
You can get a head start by filling out some forms beforehand and bringing them to Volunteer Training.

The Volunteer Information Packet contains the Volunteer information sheet and an Emergency medical form. (All new volunteers must attend Volunteer Training. Other forms are required and will be given to volunteers during training.)

Rider sponsorships needed - Contact STAR for more information.

Horses that need a sponsor - Check out our Horses page to see which horses need sponsoring.

Please consider giving an in-kind gift to STAR. The following items are needed:

Shooting for the STARS

• Rider sponsorships
• NARHA National Conference Fees for 1 Staff Member

Office Needs

• Postage Stamps
• Stick on name tags
• 9x12 manila envelopes
• 5-tab dividers
• Copy paper
• Rechargeable batteries AA
• Toilet paper
• Tissue

Animal Care

• De-worming for 24 horses
• Mane and Tail conditioner
• Glycerine saddle soap
• Lexol leather conditioner
• Rubber feed buckets with handles
• Wool Beval with pad
• 16" Western saddle
• Repel X fly concentrate
• Gift cards to Tractor Supply
• Equine Senior Horse Feed
• 5" Peacock stirrup irons
• Child size stirrup leathers

Facility Maintenance

• Oil changes for two trucks
• Liquid hand soap
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Disinfectant wipes
• Static guard spray
• Lysol spray
• Heavy duty hoses
• Weed eater
• 39 + gallon size trash cans
• Brooms
• Gift cards (Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Office Supply, Target, etc.)
• Metal hose nozzles
• 1/2" electric drill
• Magnetic signs for vehicles
• Boot scrapers
• Leaf blower
• Outdoor propane heater

Equine Assisted Learning Tools

• Tennis rackets (4)
• Cookie sheets-metal (4)
• Dolls and doll clothes
• Plastic horse shoe set
• Toy instruments (4)
• Reflective tape
• Play money, play cash register
• Plastic piggy banks (4)
• Poker chips
• Dress up clothes (vests-with buttons/zippers, belts, ties, plastic glasses, etc.)
• Toy clocks
• Pool noodles
• Game spinner-like Twister
• Disposable cameras
• Small batons-plastic-inflatable even better
• Play food
• Dog collars
• Horsey games (trivia, etc.)
• Durable maps
• Bean bag tray (1)
• G or PG rated Horse related movies
• Horse related books (all reading levels)
• Compass (4)
• Knight costumes w/plastic swords (no sounds)