Employment Opportunities

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate professional to provide therapy using farm animals, dogs, and horses—especially for children with special needs.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct animal-assisted therapy sessions.

Develop personalized treatment plans.

Implement PATH-certified riding lessons.

Collaborate with families and professionals.

Ensure animal and client safety.

Maintain animal health and clean therapy spaces.

Pursue ongoing professional development.

Qualifications:

PATH certification or similar.

Experience in animal-assisted therapy and special needs care.

Strong animal handling and communication skills.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to manage animals in varied settings and weather.

Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat is seeking a dependable, hardworking, and compassionate Farmhand & Animal Trainer to help care for our animals, support daily farm operations, and assist with animal handling for programs, events, and guest experiences.

This position is hands-on and requires someone who is confident around animals, comfortable working outdoors in all seasons, and able to manage daily responsibilities with care, consistency, and attention to detail. Experience working with horses is required. Knowledge of pigs and cows is strongly recommended.

Position Overview

The Farmhand & Animal Trainer will be responsible for assisting with the daily care, feeding, handling, training support, and overall wellbeing of the animals at Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat. This role also supports barn operations, animal enrichment, pasture care, tractor work, fundraising events, and safe animal interactions during programs and guest experiences.

This position requires someone who is flexible, dependable, and able to pivot easily when plans change or last-minute requests come up. The ideal candidate can work independently with little direction, while also being a strong team player who is willing to jump in wherever needed. Because this is a growing rescue and retreat environment, the position may require wearing many hats on any given day.

In addition to daily animal care, the Farmhand & Animal Trainer may be expected to drive a tractor, assist with maintaining pastures, help with fencing or basic farm upkeep, and support the property during seasonal needs. This person will also assist with fundraising events, including day-of support, setup, breakdown, and helping ensure the animals, guests, and event spaces are safe, clean, and well cared for.

The ideal candidate understands that our animals are not only rescues, but also an important part of our mission. This person should be patient, reliable, observant, hands-on, and committed to creating a safe, clean, and respectful environment for both animals and people.

Key Responsibilities

> Animal Care & Daily Feeding

> Provide daily feeding, watering, and basic care for horses, ponies, cows, pigs, goats, llamas, alpacas, sheep, and other animals as needed.

> Monitor animals for changes in behavior, appetite, movement, appearance, or overall health and report concerns promptly.

> Assist with turnout, stall care, pasture rotation, grooming, bathing, and general animal upkeep.

> Maintain clean water troughs, feed areas, stalls, barns, shelters, and animal spaces.

> Follow established feeding schedules, supplement instructions, and care routines.

Horse Care & Handling

> Safely handle, lead, groom, and care for horses and ponies.

> Assist with basic groundwork, manners, desensitization, and training support.

> Help prepare horses for programs, lessons, events, or animal-assisted activities as needed.

> Recognize basic signs of stress, lameness, injury, or illness in horses.

> Support safe handling practices around guests, volunteers, children, and program participants.

Animal Training & Handling

> Assist with basic training, conditioning, and positive handling routines for farm animals.

> Help animals become more comfortable with people, grooming, halters, leads, transportation, and program environments.

> Support animal enrichment activities that encourage confidence, trust, and healthy behavior.

> Help create calm, safe animal interactions for visitors, volunteers, and program participants.

> Use patience and consistency when working with animals of different backgrounds, temperaments, and needs.

Barn & Farm Operations

> Clean stalls, shelters, barns, animal areas, equipment, and common farm spaces.

> Assist with hay, feed, bedding, supplies, fencing, gates, and general barn organization.

> Help maintain safe walkways, pastures, pens, and animal enclosures.

> Report maintenance issues such as broken fencing, loose boards, unsafe gates, damaged equipment, or animal safety concerns.

> Assist with seasonal farm tasks, event setup, property cleanup, and general outdoor work.

Program & Event Support

> Help prepare animals and animal areas for nonprofit programs, retreats, field trips, volunteer days, and special events.

> Assist with safe animal introductions and interactions during public or private experiences.

> Support volunteers by helping explain basic animal safety, barn rules, and handling expectations.

> Represent Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat in a kind, professional, and mission-focused manner.

Qualifications - Required:

> Experience working with horses.

> Comfortable handling large animals.

> Ability to perform physical farm work, including lifting, bending, walking, cleaning, carrying feed, moving hay, and working outdoors.

> Dependable, punctual, and able to follow daily routines.

> Strong awareness of animal safety and body language.

> Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.

> Compassionate, calm, and patient around animals.

> Willingness to work in different weather conditions.

Qualifications - Preferred:

> Knowledge of pigs and cows.

> Experience with goats, llamas, alpacas, sheep, or other farm animals.

> Experience with rescue animals or animals with behavioral needs.

> Basic understanding of positive reinforcement or calm handling techniques.

> Experience supporting animal-assisted programs, children’s programs, veterans programs, or public farm events.

> Basic farm maintenance experience is a plus.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to:

> Lift and carry feed bags, hay, bedding, buckets, and supplies.

> Walk and stand for extended periods.

> Bend, kneel, push, pull, rake, shovel, and clean animal areas.

> Work in barns, pastures, outdoor areas, and changing weather conditions.

> Safely work around large animals, including horses and cows.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is someone who loves animals but also understands that farm work is physical, detailed, and requires consistency every day. We are looking for someone who is dependable, calm under pressure, observant, and willing to jump in wherever needed.

This role is a great fit for someone who takes pride in clean barns, healthy animals, safe handling, and being part of a mission-driven rescue environment.

About Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat

Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving quality of life for rescued animals, veterans, first responders, youth, and individuals impacted by trauma, disability, and behavioral or mental health challenges through animal-assisted and nature-based programs.

Our animals are at the heart of our mission, and we are looking for someone who will care for them with respect, patience, and purpose.

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit their application here to send their name, contact information, relevant animal experience, horse experience, availability, and references. Please include any experience working with pigs, cows, farm animals, rescue animals, or animal training.

Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat is seeking a compassionate, dependable, and creative Occupational Therapist and/or Counselor to help develop and support therapeutic, animal-assisted, sensory, and nature-based programs for the individuals and families we serve.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys thinking outside of a traditional clinical setting and wants the opportunity to help build meaningful programs from the ground up. The right candidate should be comfortable working with a variety of populations, collaborating with staff and community partners, and adapting services to meet the individual needs of participants.

Position Overview

The Occupational Therapist / Counselor will help develop, implement, and support programs designed to improve quality of life, confidence, independence, emotional wellbeing, social connection, and everyday functioning.

Programs may incorporate animals, nature, sensory activities, movement, life skills, recreation, and other hands-on experiences when appropriate.

This position requires someone who is flexible, dependable, and comfortable working in a growing organization. Programs and needs will continue to evolve, so the ideal candidate should be able to work independently, bring ideas to the table, collaborate with others, and pivot when needed.

The Occupational Therapist / Counselor may work with youth, adults, veterans, first responders, individuals with disabilities, individuals impacted by trauma, and others participating in Buckeye Ridge programs.

Key Responsibilities

Program Development & Support

Help develop therapeutic, sensory, animal-assisted, and nature-based programs based on participant and community needs.

Assist with creating appropriate goals, activities, and program plans.

Help evaluate existing programs and recommend ways to improve or expand them.

Collaborate with staff, volunteers, families, schools, organizations, and community partners as appropriate.

Help develop programming that is welcoming and adaptable for participants with different abilities, backgrounds, and needs.

Participant Support

Work directly with participants within the candidate's professional scope of practice.

Help identify individual strengths, needs, goals, and appropriate supports.

Provide a patient, supportive, and respectful environment for participants.

Adapt activities based on physical, sensory, emotional, behavioral, or developmental needs.

Maintain appropriate documentation and participant records when required.

Communicate concerns, progress, and recommendations appropriately.

Animal-Assisted & Nature-Based Programming

Help incorporate animals, outdoor spaces, sensory activities, movement, and hands-on experiences into programming when appropriate.

Work with animal care staff to ensure activities are safe and appropriate for both participants and animals.

Help participants safely engage with animals and the farm environment based on their individual comfort and ability.

Support the development of programs that use the unique environment at Buckeye Ridge in meaningful and therapeutic ways.

Program & Event Support

Assist with retreats, field trips, sensory programs, community programs, workshops, and special events as needed.

Be willing to support occasional evening or weekend programs and events.

Help create a safe, welcoming, and positive experience for participants and their families.

Represent Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat in a professional, compassionate, and mission-focused manner.

Qualifications — Required

Appropriate education, degree, licensure, certification, or professional credentials for services being provided.

Experience working with children, adults, families, or individuals with varying needs and abilities.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Ability to maintain professional boundaries and participant confidentiality.

Comfortable working independently and collaboratively.

Dependable, patient, compassionate, and adaptable.

Willingness to work in a nontraditional setting that may include barns, animals, outdoor spaces, and changing environments.

Ability to adapt when programs, schedules, or participant needs change.

Qualifications — Preferred

Experience with animal-assisted services or interventions.

Experience with sensory-based programming.

Experience working with individuals with disabilities, trauma histories, behavioral health needs, or developmental differences.

Experience working with veterans, first responders, youth, or families.

Experience developing new programs or services.

Comfort working around horses and other farm animals.

Experience in nonprofit or community-based programming is a plus.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to:

Walk and stand for extended periods.

Work in indoor and outdoor environments.

Navigate barns, pastures, trails, and uneven outdoor surfaces.

Participate in hands-on activities involving animals, sensory materials, movement, or outdoor programming.

Work in varying weather conditions during outdoor programs and events.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is compassionate and professionally grounded but also creative, flexible, and willing to try something different.

Buckeye Ridge is growing quickly, and we are building many of our programs from the ground up. That means not every day will look the same. We are looking for someone who is comfortable bringing ideas to the table, helping solve problems, and being part of the building process.

This is a great fit for someone who wants to use their professional skills in a meaningful, community-based environment and believes that animals, nature, connection, and hands-on experiences can play an important role in improving quality of life.

About Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat

Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving quality of life for rescued animals, veterans, first responders, youth, and individuals impacted by trauma, disability, and behavioral or mental health challenges through animal-assisted and nature-based programs.

We are continuing to grow our programs and are looking for people who want to bring their experience, ideas, and passion to what we are building.

To Apply

Interested applicants should use the form below to send their name, contact information, resume, relevant experience, professional credentials or licensure, availability, and references.

Please include any experience with animal-assisted services, sensory programming, youth, individuals with disabilities, veterans, first responders, or community-based programs.

Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat is seeking an experienced, dependable, and patient Horse Trainer to support the training, handling, development, and overall wellbeing of the horses in our care.

This is a hands-on position for someone who understands horses, communicates calmly and consistently, and is comfortable working with horses from different backgrounds and training levels. Because Buckeye Ridge is a rescue and retreat, some horses may require additional patience, confidence-building, retraining, or individualized approaches.

Position Overview

The Horse Trainer will be responsible for evaluating horses, developing appropriate training plans, providing consistent groundwork and training, and helping prepare suitable horses for Buckeye Ridge programs, events, and animal-assisted experiences.

This person will also help establish safe and consistent horse-handling practices for staff and volunteers and may assist with daily horse care, barn operations, programs, and events as needed.

This position requires someone who is flexible, dependable, and able to pivot when plans or needs change. The ideal candidate can work independently with little direction while also communicating well with the rest of the team.

Because Buckeye Ridge is growing, this role may continue to evolve. We are looking for someone who is excited about helping develop our equine program rather than simply stepping into an already-established training operation.

Key Responsibilities

Horse Training & Development

Evaluate individual horses and identify training needs, strengths, and areas of concern.

Develop and follow appropriate training plans for horses based on their age, background, temperament, physical ability, and intended role.

Provide consistent groundwork, manners, desensitization, confidence-building, and under-saddle work when appropriate.

Help horses become comfortable with haltering, leading, grooming, tying, loading, equipment, new environments, and other routine experiences.

Work patiently with rescue horses or horses that may have gaps in training, behavioral concerns, or unknown histories.

Track progress and communicate training concerns or recommendations with the team.

Horse Care & Safety

Safely handle, lead, groom, tack, and work with horses and ponies.

Recognize signs of stress, discomfort, lameness, injury, illness, or behavioral changes and report concerns promptly.

Maintain safe training practices for horses, staff, volunteers, participants, and guests.

Assist with turnout, grooming, feeding, stall care, and other horse-care responsibilities when needed.

Prioritize horse welfare and use patient, humane, and consistent training methods.

Program Support

Help evaluate and prepare appropriate horses for animal-assisted programs, retreats, field trips, demonstrations, and other activities.

Work with program staff to determine which horses may be appropriate for different participants and experiences.

Help horses become comfortable with program environments, including groups, children, adaptive equipment, unusual objects, noises, and activity when appropriate.

Support safe horse interactions for participants, volunteers, staff, and guests.

Assist with occasional evening or weekend programs, events, and fundraising activities.

Staff & Volunteer Support

Help teach staff and volunteers proper horse-handling techniques.

Reinforce consistent expectations for leading, grooming, tying, groundwork, and general horse safety.

Help identify when a horse or handler may not be an appropriate match for a particular activity.

Communicate clearly about training expectations, safety concerns, and individual horse needs.

Qualifications — Required

Strong hands-on experience training and handling horses.

Thorough understanding of equine behavior, body language, safety, and welfare.

Experience with groundwork and basic horse training.

Comfortable working with horses of different ages, backgrounds, temperaments, and training levels.

Ability to recognize signs of stress, fear, discomfort, lameness, or behavioral concerns.

Patient, calm, consistent, and confident around horses.

Dependable and able to work independently.

Strong communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team.

Ability to perform physical barn and horse-related work.

Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Qualifications — Preferred

Experience working with rescue horses or horses with unknown or challenging backgrounds.

Experience preparing horses for therapeutic, adaptive, or animal-assisted programs.

Experience working around children, individuals with disabilities, veterans, first responders, or community programs.

Experience teaching horse handling, groundwork, or horsemanship to others.

Knowledge of positive reinforcement, natural horsemanship, or other calm and humane training approaches.

Experience with farm or barn operations is a plus.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to:

Safely handle and work around horses of various sizes and training levels.

Walk and stand for extended periods.

Lift and carry tack, feed, hay, buckets, equipment, and other supplies.

Bend, kneel, push, pull, groom, clean, and perform routine barn tasks.

Work in barns, arenas, pastures, trails, and outdoor areas.

Work in changing weather conditions.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is someone who genuinely understands horses and knows that good training takes patience, consistency, observation, and time.

We are looking for someone who can see the individual horse in front of them rather than using the exact same approach with every animal. This person should care about building trust and confidence while maintaining clear expectations and safe boundaries.

Buckeye Ridge is also a growing organization. There will be changing plans, new programs, unexpected needs, and days when everyone has to jump in and help. The right person will be comfortable with that and excited about having the opportunity to help shape our equine program as we grow.

About Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat

Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving quality of life for rescued animals, veterans, first responders, youth, and individuals impacted by trauma, disability, and behavioral or mental health challenges through animal-assisted and nature-based programs.

Our horses are an important part of that mission. We are looking for someone who will treat each horse with patience and respect while helping us develop safe, confident horses that can thrive in their individual roles.

To Apply

Interested applicants should use the form below to send their name, contact information, resume or relevant work history, horse training experience, availability, and references.

Please include information about your training background, types of horses you have worked with, and any experience with rescue horses or animal-assisted programs.