Volunteer Programs
The Brady Effect: Where Service Becomes Leadership
Brady exists because of the generosity, dedication, and heart of our volunteers. Every lesson, event, and horse care task depends on people who choose to give their time in service to others.
Volunteers help care for our horses, support program participants, maintain the barn, and create a welcoming environment for everyone who visits. In return, they gain valuable skills, meaningful friendships, and the opportunity to be part of a community built on compassion, inclusion, and connection.
Many volunteers come to fulfill service requirements—but stay for the life-changing experiences. We are proud to have volunteers who return year after year, including entire families who serve together.
Youth Volunteer Program
For Middle & High School Students
Brady transforms young people from helpers into leaders.
Student volunteers from St. Ignatius College Preparatory, Convent of the the Sacred Heart, Stuart Hall High School, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco University High School, and beyond learn horse care, grooming, feeding, leading, horse behavior, and therapeutic side-walking while working alongside children with disabilities and systems-impacted youth. They also have opportunities to assist with special events, camps, and community programs.
Along the way, they develop leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that serve them far beyond the barn.
Skills Developed
Leadership and mentorship
Teamwork and communication
Event planning and coordination
Horse care and barn management
Service to individuals with diverse abilities
“Volunteering at Brady has strengthened my understanding of being a person with and for others.” – Brady teen volunteer
Adult Volunteer Program
Adult volunteers play a vital role in supporting both our horses and participants.
After receiving training in horse care, barn operations, and program support, volunteers assist with lessons, mentor younger volunteers, help maintain the facility, and support special events. Many of our adult volunteers serve through organizations such as National Charity League (NCL), Service Corps, and other community groups.
Together, they help create a welcoming environment where horses, riders, volunteers, and families can thrive.
Summer Camp Counselor
Brady’s Summer Camp is one of our most transformative experiences—a week where youths step into a world built around connection, confidence, and the pure joy of horse partnership.
Experienced volunteers assist with welcoming and supervising campers, assisting with horse safety, grooming, feeding, leading horses, side-walking, facilitating activities, and more!
Mentorships & Internships
Brady also offers select mentorship and internship opportunities for those interested in equine-assisted services, nonprofit leadership, communications, and program development.
Opportunities may include:
Equine-assisted services mentorships
Summer internships focused on horse care and program support
Social media and marketing internships
Community outreach and event planning projects
Volunteer Impact
In 2020, a group of dedicated students from Stuart Hall High School, St. Ignatius College Preparatory, and the Cub Scouts turned an ambitious idea into reality. Together, they secured grant funding, designed and built a new riding trail and equine obstacles, and created memorable holiday experiences for Brady families during a time when connection mattered more than ever.
From Trick-or-Treat rides and Valentine's celebrations to visits from Santa and the Easter Bunny, these young volunteers ensured that Brady participants could continue making joyful memories despite the challenges of the pandemic.
Their efforts demonstrate the heart of the Brady Volunteer Program: when young people are trusted with real responsibility, they discover their ability to lead, serve, and create meaningful change.
Watch the video below to see their impact in action.