Anyone interested in volunteering in the Ride for Joy program can call Valerie at 861-0879. Or e-mail her at Valerie.L.James@gmail.com.

A volunteer training session is set for tomorrow night (June 6TH) from 6:30 to 8pm at Once Upon a Horse at 2880 North Eagle Road.

Donations also will really help keep the program going. Checks can be made out to "Ride for Joy." Send donations to Ride for Joy at 2880 North Eagle Road.

They'll tell you.. it's a joy to volunteer.
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The taste of the country keeps people coming. And out here, horses are their passion.

"It's just a joy," says Kim Wilson.

Yeah, it's a joy to ride, which is why it was an easy call to call it "Ride for Joy."

"He's really sweet," says 10-year-old Jordan Ayers about the horse she rides. The little girl especially exudes joy. You see, riding for her is a big accomplishment.

"Alright. One, two, three," Kim says as she lifts Jordan out of her wheelchair.

Jordan has never been able to walk.

"Are you on?" Kim asks as she sets Jordan on top of her horse.

Jordan may not be able to walk, but she's a shining light out here where she rides for the fun of it.

"I mean yeah," says Jordan's mother Kristin Ayers. "This is her favorite day of the week is coming out here. She looks forward to it all day long."

The program Ride for Joy works exclusively with kids like Jordan. Kids with physical disabilities.

"This offers a great for them to come out and for them to be in the open fresh air and to be around animals," says Kim. "It is a therapeutic environment just being here."

Kim a volunteer instructor.

"Up you go," she says to Jordan as she rides.. "Good job. Most excellent."

Kim says huge horses can be the perfect fit for a little kid.

"They are accepting," she says. "And they're quiet, and they don't have expectations of the children."

"It makes me feel responsible for something," Jordan says

"I love to ride horses. I love 'em."

"I mean at the same time, she's getting physical therapy, and enjoying herself at the same time," says Jordan's mother.

But, the program needs help. They need more volunteers.

"The only thing keeping us from taking every child is a lack of volunteers."

Kim says they don't need a special background. They'll do training.

"We will take anybody who has an interest and find a job for them," Kim adds.

They need at least four people per child -- an instructor, a horse leader, and two side walkers. Plus, they need people to help clean and feed the animals.

"We just need people to come out and lend a couple hours a week," says Kim.

A couple hours -- a short time that can go a long way is helping young riders like Jordan.

"It's changed my life," says Kim.

"I mean it's amazing," says Jordan's mother. "Just the happiness that it gives her. And that it's something physical that she can do. and she's so proud of herself."