Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding Inc. 2014 Equine Service Internship

Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding Inc.

2014 Equine Service Internship

Location: 1800 Angleside Road, Fallston, MD 21047

Over 10 years ago founder and executive director Cathy Schmidt founded Chesapeake Therapeutic 
Riding (CTR) Inc. Currently CTR has 5 therapy horses and the support of approximately 70 trained 
volunteers and staff. Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding provides horseback riding lessons and horse 
related activities to individuals with special needs in Harford County. The organization works with clients from local nonprofit organizations to provide experiences with horses, including students from the Maryland School for the Blind. The program focuses on improving, balance, strength, coordination and self-esteem to the individuals that participate.

CTR is a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International. 
PATH International is a federally-registered 501(c3) nonprofit, was formed in 1969 as the North 
American Riding for the Handicapped Association to promote equine-assisted activities and therapies 
(EAAT) for individuals with special needs.

CTR is looking for a more consistent instructor position(s) in the form of Instructor Internships. This 
position will give the intern hands on experience in the arena, working directly with riders and learning 
the nuances of working with children and adults with special needs in connection with horses. Interns 
will also learn basic horse care, adaptive equipment use and record keeping through progress notes. 

CTR creates a nonjudgmental and safe environment in which to learn. The teaching style is best 
described a collaborative and coaching oriented. Interns will be expected to contribute to the overall 
betterment of CTR’s program offering.

Interns will have opportunity to attend instructor-oriented workshops at no cost in order to enhance 
their experience as instructors. CTR will conduct a special orientation for University of Delaware 
students interested in becoming interns at CTR. We encourage group participation as a team effort can 
be most effective when learning. The date of the special orientation will be determined based on the 
availability of the interns.

The intern will be expected to be available before, during and after lessons in approximate four hour 
blocks of time. Times are on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 8:30, Wednesdays (special groups) 
from 5:30 to 8:30 and Saturdays from 9:30 to 1:30. Additional clients may be added during the day as 
needs arise. Advance notice will be given. CTR operates year round and requires interns to commit to 
the lesson schedule on a per session basis to best accommodate the riders. The session calendar will be provided.

Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding Center is currently located at Harford Valley Farm, Fallston, MD. 
However, they will soon be moving to county land at Oakington in Havre de Grace, MD by Fall 2014. 
Their new and permanent location will feature state of the art facilities, 40 acres on which to grow and 
the capacity to expand their herd and services. To view more information on the program please see 
http://chesapeaketherapeuticriding.org/. 

The successful applicant will be required to sign a waiver of liability assuming all responsibility for 
injury. They will also be subject to a limited background check. All requisite forms are attached and 
will be considered when completed in full.

o Live locally and have reliable transportation to and from the Harford Valley Farm, MD

o Ability to begin internship within 1-2 weeks of semester end

o A desire to serve vulnerable populations through the connection with horses

o A desire to work hard and learn about the care and training of therapy horses

o Open to new ideas and practices for managing horses

o Some equine experience required, although it does not have to be extensive

o A full report summarizing your experiences at the end of the internship

To apply: Email the following in a WORD document to Nemeclm@udel.edu by February 10, 2014 for the Spring Session, May 1, 2014 for the Summer Session and August 1, 2014 for the Fall Session.

Send a 1-page resume AND

o a 1-page statement that includes:

  A short summary of your equine experience

  How the internship will contribute to your professional development

  How you will contribute to the internship program 

Note: In order for this internship to meet with DLE requirement, students must register for ANFS 464. You can speak to an academic advisor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences about ANFS 464. However, if you do not need DLE or do not want “credit” for the experience, you can just include the experience in your professional resume.