from 778€

Excellent 4.8rating (136)
  • Life On Land

Animal Therapy Assistant

location
457€ per week  ·  1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Provide animal therapy sessions to those who need it most in Quito.

The program

This program is crucial to the lives of people with medical issues and disabilities in Quito. Volunteers undertaking this project will contribute their time and energy to taking care of the animals participating on the program, providing quality care and ...

About the program

The program

This program is crucial to the lives of people with medical issues and disabilities in Quito. Volunteers undertaking this project will contribute their time and energy to taking care of the animals participating on the program, providing quality care and attention to ensuring the animals are well fed and cared for. They will also work directly with patients participating in the program. Hippotherapy (horses) and canotherapy (dogs) are recognized worldwide as an effective method for physical, mental and emotional rehabilitation. The goal-oriented program develops the patient's balance, coordination, orientation and rhythm, while giving them a sense of achievement and an emotional connection with the animal they are working with. Volunteers help care for the horses, as well as working with patients during therapy sessions. Without volunteers the sustainability of the program would be in question, with volunteers providing essential free labor to ensure the therapy sessions can continue to aid those who need it most.

Goals of this Project:

  • Provide animal therapy sessions to those who need it most in Quito
  • Improve the health and wellbeing of some of Quito’s most marginalized citizens
  •  Provide quality care to the animals participating in the therapy program
  • Create inter-cultural understanding which benefits both residents and international volunteers alike.

How you can help

This Animal Therapy Program plays a significant role in helping to better the lives of those with medical conditions. For many people suffering ill health and disabilities, life can be disheartening and painful. Animal therapy is a proven method to help alleviate some symptoms and improve patient’s mood and general wellbeing. Participating volunteers will work on a number of task including feeding the horses, preparing them for each therapy session, general tasks during the therapy and cleaning the horses afterwards. In addition, volunteers can help with horse-back riding lessons for the general public and with administrative and maintenance duties. During the afternoons they can also be part of the therapies with dogs if they wish. Volunteers allow the program to continue to offer animal therapy to those who need it most. Participants on this project will gain a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help those who truly need their support, and gain valuable experience in working with animals and also with those with medical issues or disabilities.

Volunteers on this program will participate in a variety of tasks and can expect to;

  • Care for the horses participating in the program
  • Prepare the horses for therapy sessions or sessions with the general public
  • Help with the therapy sessions and the horse-back riding sessions
  • Help with the dogs if they wish

Typical day

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

6:30am Breakfast with the host family

7:00am Walk/bus to your project site

7:15am Pre-start ...

Typical day

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

6:30am Breakfast with the host family

7:00am Walk/bus to your project site

7:15am Pre-start meeting with project supervisor

7:30am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START

A break will be fitted in during the day, but often the timing of breaks will change based on the needs of the local staff and number of volunteers on hand.

12:30pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END

12:45pm Debrief with project supervisor

1:00pm Walk/bus back to the accommodation

Afternoons are free to relax after a full-on morning!

6:30pm Dinner with the host family

Evenings Free time to relax and explore the sights and sounds of central Quito – a bustling and vibrant metropolis!

Free-time activities

This program is based in the beautiful city of Quito, where volunteers will find their help is invaluable and very much in need. Quito is a beautiful city filled with significant architecture, friendly people and fun places to visit – making it a fabulous city to volunteer in.

Free-time activities

This program is based in the beautiful city of Quito, where volunteers will find their help is invaluable and very much in need. Quito is a beautiful city filled with significant architecture, friendly people and fun places to visit – making it a fabulous city to volunteer in.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Required Documents

Emergency contact

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

While this highly rewarding project does not require participants to have a background in the field of special needs care, as there are many ways you can assist, volunteers with suitable education, qualifications or experience are highly sought after.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:30 - 12:30

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Love Volunteers

  • Dedicated pre-departure support
  • Exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner! 
  • Airport pick-up on arrival 
  • Orientation & full safety briefing on arrival
  • Accommodation
  • 24/7 local support network 
  • Project placement & onsite supervision
  • Lifetime LV Alumni Membership
  • The opportunity to make a REAL difference!
  • Certificate of Completion (on request)
  • LV registration fee

Airport Pickup at Mariscal Sucre International Airport

Upon your arrival in Quito, you will be collected at the airport and delivered to your accommodation. On Monday morning, after making your way to the local project offices, you will receive an orientation to help you settle in, find out about your volunteering placement, the local surroundings and meet your fellow volunteers. A representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have. You will then be taken to your assigned project site and introduced to the project team you will be working with. Easy!

  • Program Arrival Day: SUNDAY
  • Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
  • Arrival/Departure Airport: Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Quito, Ecuador (Code: UIO)

Accommodation

Volunteers on this project have the unique opportunity to experience the generous hospitality of local Ecuadorian families during their stay in Quito.

Staying with one of our local host families is an excellent way to 'live like the locals do' and get first hand experience of local culture and customs in a comfortable and supportive environment.  A home away from home!

Rooms may be shared depending on volunteer numbers and homes are well equipped with all the comforts and facilities required for an enjoyable stay. 

Volunteers will be accommodated near to their project site; either walking distance or an easy commute via public transport.

Food & Beverages

Breakfast and dinner are provided daily by the host family and lunch can be prepared and taken to your project or purchased at a local eatery.  

With its reputation for superb exotic fruits, unsurpassed fish and seafood, and not least the numerous varieties of Andean potatoes, Ecuador offers the taste buds a veritable feast. Among the traditional dishes that volunteers might want to try whilst in Ecuador are: Seco de Pollo, Menestra and Ecuadorian Churrasco - a plate consisting of roast meat, a fried egg, chips and fried plantain - or even the great delicacy, guinea pig. For savoury main courses, the hot sauce aji is often used. Easily and very cheaply available from bakers’ shops are empanadas (warm pastry pockets containing meat or cheese), llapingachos (potato and cheese pancakes) and tempting sweet pastries.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ecuador. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ecuador provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Ecuador you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ecuador. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 778€
2 weeks 788€
3 weeks 878€
4 weeks 968€
12 weeks (max. stay) 1,638€
Average fees 457€/week

Program fees

457€ per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

1 - 12 weeks

Deposit (15%)

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment (85%)

Your final payment will be agreed with Love Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your host

Love Volunteers

Excellent 4.8 rating (136 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Karen

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Love Volunteers has been placing volunteers around the world for over seven years. We're passionate about making a difference in developing communities.

Meet your host

About Us

Love Volunteers has been placing volunteers around the world for over seven years. We're passionate about making a difference in developing communities.

Our History

  • June 2009: Julian and Kelly (a brother and sister team from New Zealand) were shocked by the huge fees charged for volunteering abroad. They knew there must be a better way!
  • July 2009: Eager to provide transparent and cost effective volunteering, work began on what would become Love Volunteer.
  • August 2009: Visting worthy projects and developing relationshsips with local charities begins. A voyage that would see the duo cover half the globe in six months.
  • January 2010: The Love Volunteers website is launched with just 20 projects across 12 countries.
  • March 2010: Our first volunteer, Daniel, joins us on a project in Ethiopia! The first of many thousands to follow!
  • May 2010: Within months, Love Volunteers is placing over 50 volunteers a month
  • January 2011: We work with our first student group, sending Tim and 30 of his medical students from Columbia University to Guatemala.
  • May 2011: Our 1,000th volunteer, Emily, joins the team in Vietnam
  • February 2012: We begin working with our partner in Zambia - country number 30.
  • May 2013: We're recognized as one of the top volunteering organizations in the world.
  • July 2014: We add our 100th project - in Costa Rica.
  • October 2015: Kelly and Mike spend 18 months visiting projects throughout Central & South America, Europe and Asia.
  • February 2016: Nicole joins the team as our volunteer support manager. Later, Karen also comes on board.
  • June 2017: We undertake a huge rebrand of Love Volunteers to better reflect our mission of serving local communities in developing countries.

136 reviews · rating4.8

Tomas Heijnen rating4.6

2023 at Great Barrier Reef Conservation Experience

Erg leuk programma, snorkelen op de eilanden was erg leuk. Erg goed verzorgd door de coordinatoren. Wel jammer dat het water erg koud was (juli), dus het snorkelen kon je niet lang volhouden. ..
Victoria Schmettow rating1.4

2023 at Marine Conservation Supporter

I applied for the Marine Conservation program and wanted to stay for two weeks - I left early as this whole thing was more or less a scam. The location is not a "short journey from the beach" and not where the map shows but way further inland. We had bad/no wifi, our showers were not working ...
Jess Gustafson rating5

2023 at Environmental Conservation Worker

This was a great experience volunteering for CVNZ and I learned a lot about nature conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand as well as about the culture. The staff were very helpful for suggesting places to visit on the weekends and I had a great time with the other volunteers. I would definitely do ...
Dawn Harrage rating4

2023 at Community Initiatives

Made very welcome by the community programme that I worked with. It was about a 20 minute bus journey away but the buses are very regular and inexpensive. The hostel was great and being in New Orleans for Mardi Gras was amazing. Beware, though, food and drinks can be expensive (compared to what I'm ...
Emily Merker rating1.8

2022 at Marine Conservation Supporter

Ich bin sehr enttäuscht, ich hab viel Geld gezahlt und alles was gemacht wurde ist Kayak fahren und beach clean ups. Ich war die einzige Freiwillige dort und war daher immer alleine. Für das Geld erwarte ich definitiv mehr! ich bin eine Woche früher nachhause geflogen weil ich mich gelangweilt ...
Andrea González Ferreira rating5

2022 at Golden Triangle Experience

This was the most amazing trip I have ever done!!! Love Volunteers was truly supportive during the whole experience and I will for sure plan more trips ahead with ...

Location

Americas > South America > Ecuador > Quito

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Contact Karen
  Very high response rate
English

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