About Minis and Friends: Mini Handler

Mini Handler - The little horses/minis need help to work in the community three times a month (approx 6-8 hours a month), on Saturdays and 1 Sunday). We require a commitment of at least 1 visit per month to be active.

A mini handler works in a 2 person team with a mini at our many facilities we visit on weekends. Everyone starts at the back-end, meaning you are the one that guides the mini around wheelchairs/walkers and also the one responsible for scooping accidents that may occur (easy - dog scooper). After you have been to a few visits you move to the front end - which often entails stooping by your mini to advocate safety while hands pet him. The front end also guides hands to where they can pet or hug the mini.

New in 2026: If you are interested in behing a volunteer, please go to https://www.minisandfriends.org/volunteers and click on link to receive an application. Send your filled out application to minisandfriendsvolunteers@gmail.com to receive an invite to attend an actual senior visit to learn hands-on with a trained volunteer. At the end of the visit, please tell the mini-owner if you want to continue with visits, and she will connect you with Deborah to receive a Minis and Friends t-shirt and other information for logging in to Discord where are visits/events are located. You must attend 1 visit per month to stay active.

We promise it will be an exceptional way to give back to the community. Minis and Friends visit with those that have special needs - children, youth, adult and seniors - or whom life's circumstances have created a special need. Please see our webpage to learn about how you can help too -- www.minisandfriends.org

Age is 16 and up with parent.

Those that are 70 and up, can no longer be mini-handlers due to our Safety guidelines, but there are plenty of other important visit positions available. As the Austin Co-Founder I have been an Observer for several years now due to bad knees - great position!

Have fun and do something unique - the minis love people and we need your help.

"Won't you help a mini today?"

Application Process

Read our volunteer page on our website:: https://www.minisandfriends.org/volunteers. Send an email to minisandfriendsvolunteers@gmail.com and request an application. Age to volunteer is firm: 16 and up with a parent and 70 and up (Observer or Info Rep at visits)..