WESTFIELD – Spring sessions at Centaur Stride in Westfield are about to start and riders with disabilities are patiently waiting for the weather to break.

Before organizers can schedule all the riders, more volunteers must be recruited. It can take up to three people to help with each rider, as a horse leader or side-walker. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and able to walk for at least one hour (easier as you hold onto the horse) It’s good exercise and feels great to be helping someone else. The added bonus is seeing the joy on the faces of the children you are helping.

Help is especially needed on Saturdays, but also a few week nights. Centaur Stride is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and needs volunteers for any of the shifts within that time, even if only for an hour.

Volunteers are scheduled so organizers have the needed number of helpers per rider, under direct supervision of staff. Volunteers are trained hands-on, always paired with well trained volunteers or staff.

For more information, visit the website at www.centaurstride.org or call 326-4318. Volunteer registration forms can be found on the website.