Internships
There are many different ways to intern at The Red Barn. All intern hopefuls will need to complete an application process. This includes background and DHR checks for those 18 and older.
Click below to learn more about the different ways to intern and the requirements for each. All potential interns must complete an application process, which includes a background and DHR check for those 18 and older. If you are interested in learning more, please fill out the form at the bottom.
College interns are a wonderful addition to The Red Barn programs. They contribute in a variety of ways to the daily operations of the barn. These interns are enrolled in college and receive college credit for their service time. A list of requirements and goals for the intern are provided to The Red Barn at the beginning of their service and regular evaluations are conducted during the student’s service term.
Possible majors of college interns are: Kinesiology, Psychology, MPA, Business, and Equine Science.
Applications are due by May 1st for the summer, August 1st for the fall, and December 1st for the winter/spring.
Schedule: The barn is open seven days a week from 8:00 – 6:00 during the spring, summer, and fall. The hours change to 8:00 – 5:00 during the winter. Preference is given to interns that can work at least one weekend day.
Requirements for College Intern Applicants:
Intern or volunteer application
References
Background check
DHR check
Minimum of 10 – 20 hours per week commitment
What do college interns help with at the barn and what are the expectations?
- Weekly riding lessons - Being a sidewalker or spotter in riding lessons. Involves walking up to 30 minutes on uneven surfaces while providing varying levels of support (verbal cueing to physical support for balance).
- Helping in unmounted lessons - Assisting with equine assisted learning activities. This includes working with students while they are with horses or engaged in other activities.
- Barn chores - Assisting with cleaning stalls, washing buckets, dusting, etc. Involves lifting buckets, reaching, bending, etc.
- Administrative - Helping with basic office tasks like stuffing envelopes, answering the phone, writing thank you notes, etc.
- Fundraising - Assisting with planning events and cultivating donors.
Interns working more than 20 hours a week may be given the opportunity to co-lead unmounted classes with a staff member.
College interns are a wonderful addition to The Red Barn programs. They contribute in a variety of ways to the daily operations of the barn. These interns have graduated high school, and are not receiving college credit for their service time. These interns receive on the job and resume building experience as well as opportunities to learn about equine related services. Goals and requirements of service will vary and be set by The Red Barn.
Applications are due by May 1st for the summer, August 1st for the fall, and December 1st for the winter/spring.
Schedule: The barn is open seven days a week from 8:00 – 6:00. The hours change to 8:00 – 5:00 during the winter. Preference is given to interns that can work at least one weekend day.
Requirements for General College Intern Applicants:
Intern application
Background check
DHR check
Minimum of 20 hours per week commitment
What do college age interns help with at the barn and what are the expectations?
- Weekly riding lessons - Being a sidewalker or spotter in riding lessons. Involves walking up to 30 minutes on uneven surfaces while providing varying levels of support (verbal cueing to physical support for balance).
- Helping in unmounted lessons - Assisting with equine assisted learning activities. This includes working with students while they are with horses or engaged in other activities.
- Barn chores - Assisting with cleaning stalls, washing buckets, dusting, etc. Involves lifting buckets, reaching, bending, etc.
- Administrative - Helping with basic office tasks like stuffing envelopes, answering the phone, writing thank you notes, etc.
- Fundraising - Assisting with planning events and cultivating donors.
- Interns working more than 20 hours a week may be given the opportunity to co-lead unmounted classes with a staff member.
High school interns are a wonderful addition to The Red Barn programs. These interns are hand selected by the staff and invited to apply for an internship. With that in mind, high school interns must be at least 16 years old and active volunteers or have a previously established relationship with the barn. These interns receive service hours, job skills training, and learn about equine-related services. Interning at The Red Barn as a high school student is a wonderful opportunity for students to grow their work ethic, build people skills, practice empathy, and be mentored by a great group of staff members.
Applications are due by May 1st for the summer, August 1st for the fall, and December 1st for the winter/spring.
Schedule: The barn is open seven days a week from 8:00 – 6:00. The hours change to 8:00 – 5:00 during the winter. Preference is given to interns that can work at least one weekend day.
Requirements for High School Intern Applicants:
Application
Set weekly schedule
Minimum commitment of 1 to 1.5 days per week
Goals and expectations will vary and be set by The Red Barn
What do high school interns help with at the barn and what are the expectations?
- Weekly riding lessons - Being a sidewalker or spotter in riding lessons. Involves walking up to 30 minutes on uneven surfaces while providing varying levels of support (verbal cueing to physical support for balance).
- Helping in unmounted lessons - Assisting with equine assisted learning activities. This includes working with students while they are with horses or engaged in other activities.
- Barn chores - Assisting with cleaning stalls, washing buckets, dusting, etc. Involves lifting buckets, reaching, bending, etc.
- Administrative - Helping with basic office tasks like stuffing envelopes, answering the phone, writing thank you notes, etc.
- Fundraising - Assisting with planning events and cultivating donors.
Social Work interns are a wonderful addition to The Red Barn programs. They contribute in a variety of ways to the daily operations of the barn. These interns are enrolled in college and receive college credit for their service time. A list of requirements and goals for the intern are provided to The Red Barn at the beginning of their service and regular evaluations are conducted during the student’s service term. The student’s university must provide supervision because The Red Barn does not have a licensed Social Worker on staff. Term of service may be for a full year or a semester.
Applications are due by May 1st for the summer, August 1st for the fall, and December 1st for the winter/spring.
Schedule: The barn is open seven days a week from 8:00 – 6:00. The hours change to 8:00 – 5:00 during the winter. Preference is given to interns that can work at least one weekend day.
Requirements for Social Work Intern Applicants:
Intern application
Background check
DHR check
Minimum commitment of 20 hours per week
What do Social Work interns help with at the barn and what are the expectations?
- Weekly riding lessons - Being a sidewalker or spotter in riding lessons. Involves walking up to 30 minutes on uneven surfaces while providing varying levels of support (verbal cueing to physical support for balance).
- Helping in unmounted lessons - Assisting with equine assisted learning activities. This includes working with students while they are with horses or engaged in other activities.
- Barn chores - Assisting with cleaning stalls, washing buckets, dusting, etc. Involves lifting buckets, reaching, bending, etc.
- Administrative - Helping with basic office tasks like stuffing envelopes, answering the phone, writing thank you notes, etc.
- Fundraising - Assisting with planning events and cultivating donors.
Interns working more than 20 hours a week may be given the opportunity to co-lead unmounted classes with a staff member.
Occupational Therapy interns are a wonderful addition to The Red Barn programs. They contribute in a variety of ways to the daily operations of the barn. These interns are enrolled in college and receive college credit for their service time. A list of requirements and goals for the intern are provided to The Red Barn at the beginning of their service, and regular evaluations are conducted during the student’s service term.
Applications are due by May 1st for the summer, August 1st for the fall, and December 1st for the winter/spring.
Schedule: The barn is open seven days a week from 8:00 – 6:00. The hours change to 8:00 – 5:00 during the winter. Preference is given to interns that can work at least one weekend day.
Opportunities:
- Level I Fieldwork students typically serve for a semester and work 40 hours for one week at the barn.
- Level 2 Fieldwork students may be placed at The Red Barn under certain circumstances if they have previous horse or pediatric experience. We would prefer The Red Barn to be the second Level 2 fieldwork placement. They work 40 hours a week for a semester.
- Students in Community Groups typically serve year long, June through May and work 5-10 hours per week. This group is usually made up of 3-5 students.
- OT students may also observe for either a day or week at different times throughout the year.
Requirements for OT students:
Intern application
Background check
DHR check
What do OT students help with at the barn and what are the expectations?
- Weekly riding lessons - Being a sidewalker or spotter in riding lessons. Involves walking up to 30 minutes on uneven surfaces while providing varying levels of support (verbal cueing to physical support for balance).
- Helping in unmounted lessons - Assisting with equine assisted learning activities. This includes working with students while they are with horses or engaged in other activities.
- Barn chores - Assisting with cleaning stalls, washing buckets, dusting, etc. Involves lifting buckets, reaching, bending, etc.
- Assisting in occupational therapy utilizing the movement of the equine (hippotherapy).
Administrative - Helping with basic office tasks like stuffing envelopes, answering the phone, writing thank you notes, etc.
- Fundraising - Assisting with planning events and cultivating donors.
- Level 2 Fieldwork students may be leading OT sessions by mid-term (within the line of sight of an OT).
What can they expect to learn?
- They will have hands-on experience working with a variety of disabilities.
- See functional anatomy in action
- Learn how to combine social and motor learning within an activity
- Learn about non-profit administration
- Learn how to incorporate horses and outdoor activities into OT treatment strategies
- Learn about data collection; differences in data from different professionals
- Learn how to work collaboratively with other professions
- Learn time management by managing schedule of services and chores
- Learn teamwork by assisting in classes