Lou Dillon with volunteer Sue.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
COVID UPDATE: We are currently scheduling new volunteers to come out, but we are limiting the number of new volunteers each week. We are currently only allowing volunteers to come out on Saturdays.
Please note that ALL volunteers must show proof of vaccination and socially distance while on the property. This is a requirement.
All current volunteers are welcome at the normal times and we’ll be practicing Covid social distancing measures.
Hanaeleh is run solely by volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us! We have several ways you can help with the horses and the facility. Check out the opportunities we have below and let us know what you’re interested in. You do not need to have horse experience in order to volunteer, and we need volunteers to help us with fundraisers as well– any help we can get we appreciate!
If you would like to volunteer, please send an e-mail with your availability and interest, including your level of horse experience. We welcome individuals of all ages and abilities to volunteer, although volunteers must be 18 years or older to work with the horses directly.
Please e-mail to schedule a date to volunteer: volunteer@hanaeleh.org
ATTENTION – For the safety of all of our animals at Hanaeleh, we do not allow pets. Thank you!
Work Days
Workdays are open to the public. Children under the age of 18 are allowed to help with adult supervision, but we do not have many projects for children under the age of 10 years old. We would suggest to groups with younger children to schedule a private tour and not come to a work day. Please call or e-mail to confirm the dates: volunteer@hanaeleh.org or call 949-229-1085.
As of January 1, 2022 all work day volunteers will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Private Tours
Starting January, 2022, we will offer private tours of the facility to small groups of people. During these tours, we introduce you to the horses and answer any questions you may have. Children under the age of 18 are allowed to come but must have adult supervision. Please call or e-mail to confirm the dates: jocelyn@hanaeleh.org.
As of January 1, 2022, individuals who schedule a private tour will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Weekly Horse Care
A great way to help is to work with our horses on a weekly basis. This option is for the individuals who are able to commit to volunteering once a week. Volunteers come out on Saturday mornings from 8:30am-noon, and all weekly volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Our volunteers learn the ins-and-outs of how the rescue runs. We muck out all of the horse’s stalls, wash and clean their feed bins, salt licks and water containers, and feed the horses. After a volunteer has come out four times, we pair them up with a “buddy” to show how we work with the horses; this way the horses get consistency when they are handled. Please note that volunteers do not ride the horses.
As of January 1, 2022 all volunteers are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
NOTE: Volunteering at Hanaeleh does have physical requirements. Some individuals may not feel comfortable and/or aren’t able to meet the rigors of a ranch where the ground is uneven and is on an incline. Additional requirements to volunteer are:
- Ability to lift 30-40 pounds. (we cart around full muck buckets, hay pellet bags and other heavy items)
- You will be on your feet for four hours. We have chairs and breaks are welcome, but it’s physical work on your feet.
- There is a lot of lifting, bending and carrying involved and if you don’t feel comfortable with this, please consider coming out for a tour or a workday instead of regular weekly horse care.
To volunteer, please e-mail: volunteer@hanaeleh.org.
Community Groups
We do have community groups come to Hanaeleh both for service as well as learning about the horses. We have had Girl and Boy Scouts, U.S. Pony Club, school groups and church groups come out to the ranch. We also have a Reiki group come out to work with the horses.
We usually schedule groups on workdays who are doing service. We encourage groups who would like a tour or to see the horses to schedule a private tour.
We love to have community groups come out, but we do not have many projects for children under the age of 10 years old. We would suggest that groups with younger children schedule a private tour.
If you’d like to schedule a time for your group to come out, please e-mail: volunteer@hanaeleh.org and let us know about your group.
Please note that as of January 1, 2022 all volunteers will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Fundraising
Hanaeleh is in great need of individuals who can help behind the scenes for our fundraisers! We need people to make phone calls, talk with businesses, and who can help coordinate events. For more information on helping in this way, please e-mail: volunteer@hanaeleh.org.
“Wait, I have more questions!”
If you have any other questions about volunteering, please be sure to contact us via e-mail: volunteer@hanaeleh.org or by phone: 949-229-1085. If you have other types of questions, please visit our FAQs page.
Get "The Story of Ulysses"
Read the touching story of Ulysses, who was rescued just in time! Learn how his rescue saved another horse & how he's transformed with proper food and lots of love.
