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hirty-five years ago, a group of determined people launched a Canadian national organization to develop and promote therapeutic riding across the country. In 1980, CanTRA was born. In 2015, we celebrate our thirty-fifth anniversary. We are in party mood! A series of regional 35th Anniversary workshops will take place throughout the year, each one encouraged to top off the occasion with an anniversary cake. For details, visit our website at www.cantra.ca I am sure a celebration cake will also materialize at our 2015 annual general meeting on Sunday, May 31, hosted by SARI (Special Ability Riding Institute) in London, Ontario. SARI was a founding member centre of CanTRA. The AGM will follow on from a 35th Anniversary workshop. All are welcome. In the continuing absence of any government regulations covering therapeutic riding and related fields, CanTRA has not only stepped into the breach but aimed
Bear Valley Rescue
By Daphne Davey from the outset for excellence. The standards developed over the years for instructor certification, centre accreditation, and -- the newest horse in the stable -- equine-facilitated wellness, are acknowledged internationally. CanTRA is recognized by Equine Canada and HETI (Horses in Education and Therapy International) as the national body for therapeutic riding in Canada. CanTRA was a founding member of HETI. What gives CanTRA’s work such credibility is that, throughout its history, members who have served on the national board or its program committees have themselves been movers and shakers at the grass-roots level. Many have been founders or key people in local therapeutic riding centres. The standards they developed were ones they were willing to live by at their own centres. Over the years, medical and therapeutic research, coupled with field experience, has revealed new insights into best practices
in horse-human interaction programs. This is especially true of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), about which little was known until recently. Now there is an explosion of available information centres that instructors and therapists can tap into for the benefit of their clients. As this field constantly evolves, CanTRA adjusts its standards and programs to accommodate the new knowledge. To all the pioneers of those early days (a few of whom are still going strong!), to everyone in the intervening years, and to the newest generation carrying the torch forward, congratulations on your contribution to therapeutic riding in Canada. Let’s celebrate this year! For more information on CanTRA and its member centres, visit www.cantra.ca or email ctra@golden.net. Please make a difference to a child or adult with a disability by donating to CanTRA at www.cantra.ca or CanadaHelps. org.
By Kelly Principe
RESCUED HEARTS: THE THROES OF EQUINE REDEMPTION AT BEAR VALLEY RESCUE
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uentin is a 2012 dun gelding rescued from a feedlot as a weanling. He attended summer school last year, so he has been sacked out, saddled, haltered, and has had his feet done. He’s a nice solid horse; he’s still got some growing to do but should be a good size. He will be 3 this Spring - the perfect age to finish his groundwork! Bear Valley Rescue is excited to announce we will be hosting a charity event at Horse In Hand Ranch Ltd. (located just off Hwy 2 at the Blackfalds exit) on Saturday, July 4, 2015!! Funds raised will be used by the rescue to help continue caring for the many animals in need at the rescue. The final details of the event will be released at a later date, so please stay tuned! Riley is a 2010 gelding who hasn’t had much handling but definitely has a ton of potential for an experienced equestrienne! He is very nicely put together with a sweet temperament. He has been at the rescue since early 2012, but keeps getting passed by as every year it seems, there are more and more youngsters arriving! This beautiful chestnut horse would be a great little ranch hand if given the chance! Mike and Kathy Bartley have been rescuing horses from dire straits for over 10 years. Though heart wrenching at times, they have successfully adopted out over 500 horses. LIKE us on Facebook! Keep tabs on Quentin, Riley, and over 100 more horses at Bear Valley Rescue: www.bearvalleyab.org. You can e-mail: bearvalleyab@aol.com or call 403-637-2708 in Sundre, Alberta. HCBC HCBC 2010 2010 Business Business of of tHe tHe Year Year
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