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Volunteer Program Enrollment

Your next step is to complete your enrollment.

Your Training Investment Includes

15+ hours of individualized on-site mentoring
Two half-day Volunteer Training Weekend workshops
Three semi-private practicum (direct practice) sessions
Final practicum evaluation and safety assessment

Volunteer Training Weekend

The Volunteer Training Weekend lays the foundation for volunteering in the pasture at BEYOND Liberty.

This immersive, co-facilitated experience is led by Hannah Francis of Free Spirit Stables, a Certified Carolyn Resnick Method Instructor, and Angel Batt, MSW, Founder of BEYOND Liberty.

Throughout the weekend, you'll explore the philosophy, principles, and practices that guide our work while beginning to develop the awareness, presence, observation skills, and safety practices that are essential to volunteering alongside horses at liberty.

During the weekend, you'll explore:

The philosophy and guiding principles of BEYOND Liberty
Learning to respectfully share space with horses at liberty
Understanding consent, boundaries, and choice
Reading equine body language and communication
Developing awareness, presence, and observation skills
Safety principles and volunteer expectations

This immersive weekend establishes the shared foundation for everything that follows in the Volunteer Training Program. Because these principles underpin our philosophy, safety practices, and approach to working alongside horses, attendance at the Volunteer Training Weekend is required for volunteers pursuing direct, in-the-pasture roles.

The $120 Volunteer Training Fee covers your three required semi-private practice sessions with Hannah Francis. The Volunteer Training Weekend is a separate component of the program and is subsidized by BEYOND Liberty.

If you're unable to attend the scheduled Volunteer Training Weekend, you may choose to begin at a future date with a new volunteer training cohort or, if available, complete an alternate foundational training with Hannah Francis. Because alternate foundation training is conducted outside the scheduled cohort and requires Hannah's additional instructional time, participants are responsible for the cost of the alternate training.

Please notify us as soon as possible if you're unable to attend the scheduled Volunteer Training Weekend. We'll be happy to discuss your options, including postponing your participation and joining a future cohort or connecting you with Hannah to arrange alternate training.

Training Practicums

Following Volunteer Training Weekend, you'll continue your learning through three semi-private practicum sessions designed to help you build confidence and apply what you've learned in a real-world setting.

During these sessions, you’ll receive individualized coaching as you practice BEYOND Liberty’s philosophy, consent-based interactions with the horses, and horse safety protocols in a small-group setting.

Upon completion of the three practicums, you'll participate in a private Safety Assessment & Final Evaluation. This final session provides an opportunity to fine-tune your skills, ask questions, and receive individualized feedback while ensuring you—and we—feel confident that you're prepared to safely volunteer independently in the pasture with the horses.

Volunteer Education Classes

The Volunteer Education Classes provide the philosophical foundation for our work and include:

Sharing Territory & the Hello Ritual
Code of Conduct
Carolyn Resnick's Five Heartfelt Strings of Connection
Melody & Ruby: Beyond Liberty's Founding Mustangs
The Hello Ritual: Review & Practice

Once your training cohort is finalized, we’ll use a Doodle poll to schedule practicum sessions and education classes at times that work best for the group.

Through our partnership with Free Spirit Stables, Beyond Liberty subsidizes the majority of the actual cost of the training program.

Volunteer Agreement

Purpose

The well-being of our horses depends on consistency, reliability, and a safe, supportive environment. By participating in the volunteer program, I agree to uphold the expectations outlined below.

Attendance & Reliability

Please initial each statement:

I agree to arrive on time for all scheduled shifts, training sessions, and commitments.

I will notify the organization as early as possible if I am unable to attend a scheduled shift and will make a reasonable effort to help arrange coverage whenever possible.

I understand that repeated absences may result in reassignment or removal from the program.

Training Requirements & Program Fee

Please initial each statement:

I understand that participation in the volunteer training program requires a non-refundable fee of $120. (Payable only if accepted into the program).

I agree to enroll in, actively participate in, and complete all required volunteer training—including educational classes, on-site mentoring, and small-group practicum sessions—within my first three (3) months of volunteer services.

I understand that volunteer service and training may occur concurrently, and I agree to follow all safety policies, procedures, and instructions provided by staff, facilitators, and program leaders.

Conduct & Representation

I will maintain the confidentiality of participants, volunteers, donors, and organizational information and will represent Beyond Liberty professionally and follow organizational policies.

Acknowledgement & Signature

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the expectations outlined in this Volunteer Agreement, and that all information provided in this application is accurate.

Volunteer Signature

Printed Name

Training Investment

$120

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