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COVID Update: Individual Care While Safeguarding our Community
CTRA, as an organization, holds itself accountable for safeguarding this community as well as striving to meet individual needs. It can be a tough balance at times and this pandemic is proving to be one of them. We continue to align with the BC Health Authority as a source for current COVID restrictions and regulations. However, CTRA is not just following provincial health guidelines. We also need to adhere to directives outlined by CanTRA, Equestrian Canada, Via-Sport BC & WorkSafe BC.
As a unique service, we have been diligent to understand and to follow all of our governing bodies in order to keep our riders, volunteers, and staff safe and to keep our insurance viable and in place. CTRA is an examination centre for the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association which means we are held to the highest standards and instructors come here to be examined and tested for their certification. Equestrian Canada has specific COVID guidelines for traffic in and around stables to reduce exposure risk. Our barn and facilities are not open to the public at this time to ensure limited transmission opportunities. The 'Return to Sport' document from Via-Sport BC, for para-sport activities in particular, dictates that our riders who have coaching support in close proximity for more than 15 minutes must both use face coverings (if the instructor can coach from the center of the ring there would is no need for masks).
At the start of the March session we entered 'phase 3' of current COVID protocol applied to our return to programming. The most significant change allows us to slowly start inserting lessons that require sidewalk support into the schedule. Instructors can assist riders in close proximity for short periods of time and we are engaging side walkers in the rider's family/caregiving bubble to assist who are physically capable, undergo training, and have the skills congruent with the rider's needs. We are beginning with riders who are extremely reliant on the physical results of therapeutic riding to enable day to day mobility and whose condition deteriorates without this therapeutic activity.
We are hopeful as we continue to move forward through this time. We recognize and understand the struggle and frustrations this pandemic is causing for all of us, especially those with already challenging needs. Thank you for your patience and ongoing support.
CTRA is continually committed to delivering individualized therapeutic experiences with our equine partners in a safe and inclusive community.
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New Executive Director at CTRA
The Board of Directors of Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association (CTRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Carol-Ann Rolls as Executive Director (ED). Carol-Ann will officially take the reins on April 5th, replacing interim ED Susan Lake, who will return to her role as Office Manager.
“The Board is very excited to welcome Carol-Ann to our organization.” said Patrick Hrushowy, CTRA Board Chair. “Carol-Ann brings a wealth of experience from the not for profit and public organizations she has worked for in the past that will be of benefit to CTRA.”
For 17 years she was the face of the RCMP Community Policing and Crime Prevention programs and services in the Duncan/North Cowichan area, and this past year supported seniors and volunteers as the Volunteer Coordinator for Volunteer Cowichan’s Better at Home/Safe Seniors program.
Carol-Ann has extensive experience in leadership, strategy, public relations, marketing and volunteer lead programs. She is passionate about contributing to lives of others and working with organizations to support their resiliency. She has served on many boards and committees in the community, and currently serves as the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #53 Director for Honours and Awards and the BC55+ Games Zone 1 Equestrian Sports Chair. She has planned, organized and executed many community events and fundraisers including the RCMP Musical Ride (x3) which has donated to CTRA programs.
“I am very proud and honoured to be part of this great organization as leaders in therapeutic riding and equine based wellness programs and services” said Carol-Ann. “I look forward to building strategic partnerships and continuing to build on this incredible legacy which has already contributed so much to our community.”
When asked what she was most looking forward to in her new role, Carol-Ann replied, “Getting to know the experienced staff and Board members, hearing the stories of those who participate or volunteer in our programs, and working as a team to enhance the sustainability and impact of the organization. I am also looking forward to connecting with our dedicated donors and expanding our donor community.”
Please join us, said Hrushowy, in welcoming Carol-Ann to her new role as Executive Director and to CTRA. The Board also wishes to extend their gratitude to Susan Lake for her support as Interim Executive Director, maintaining stability for CTRA over the past difficult months.
Hrushowy said CTRA welcomes support and involvement from the community as it charts its course into the next phase. "We remain committed to the same values and programs that have served communities and made a difference for so many over the almost past 35 years and look forward to what’s to come."
Located on Providence Farm property, CTRA provides therapeutic riding and equine based wellness programs for persons with special needs. Hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals have benefited from CTRA programs.
Services include therapeutic riding, therapeutic horsemanship, para-equestrian sport, adapted equestrian vaulting, and stable management vocational development interventions as well as horse camps for children of all abilities. CTRA serves as a hub of inclusion and catalyst for human potential, enriching the lives of countless individuals and supporting key social determinants of health in our community.
Patrick Hrushowy
Chair of the CTRA Board of Directors
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Instructor Upgrading and Certifications
At CTRA, we are lucky to have a wide variety of certifications represented in our instructors: Therapeutic riding with CanTRA, equestrian sport/competition with Equestrian Canada, and equestrian vaulting with the Equestrian Vaulting Association of BC. In order to maintain their certifications, each instructor must complete professional development hours each year, as well as maintaining current first aid and criminal record checks. Each of our instructors is always looking to learn new things, and to add to their qualifications when possible. In fact our instructors try to take riding or vaulting lessons themselves whenever possible! In addition to the many webinars and courses we've been taking, these are some of the certifications we are going to be adding to our repertoire over the coming year.
CanTRA
As an Accredited Training and Examination Centre, CTRA is in the process of working with the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association to figure out how we may be able to safely host an exam here this year. We also have several instructors who could upgrade their certification.
EFW
Equine Facilitated Wellness, or EFW, is an umbrella term that refers to integrating horses into working with humans on emotional, social, or cognitive healing, learning and growth. CTRA currently has 3 instructors working on their first component for certification through Pro-EFW, a nationally recognized and respected organization for EFW training and certification. Some of this training is being done with Healing Hooves in Alberta, and some with Generation Farms in Nanaimo.
EAL
Equine Assisted Learning, or EAL, is similar to EFW, but focuses more on personal growth or life skills, in a non-mental health context. CTRA is excited to be sending at least two instructors for EAL facilitator certification in Victoria in April.
Other Certifications:
We also have several instructors working towards certification with Equestrian Canada, and the Equestrian Vaulting Association of BC. We are hopeful that we will be able to get these certifications before the end of the year, depending on the state of the pandemic.
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CTRA VolunteersMasked Up and Marching On
It was a hard hit for CTRA volunteers last March when the COVID pandemic suspended all of our programming. Close to 100 individuals no longer had an outlet of caring, sharing, and connection through their weekly visit to the barn and helping to support therapeutic riding lessons.
In October, a small group of horse handlers returned for COVID protocol training and a refresher course, then started to horse handle in scheduled lessons. Having limited access to the barn, needing to wear proper PPE, to sanitize and carefully watch what was touched, and how they performed their role within our COVID plan made for quite a different atmosphere to what they had known before. Once a rider was in the saddle there was that familiar feel that all was well with the world and great things were again being accomplished and celebrated.
A stark difference in this new landscape is the absence of visible smiles. Smiles are abundant around CTRA. They are spontaneous, contagious, and long-lasting like the Energizer Bunny! With the necessity of masks to reduce exposure, covering up these smiles, reminds me of the importance of eye contact. They say the eyes are the window to the soul. What I’m seeing in our volunteers now are the bright-eyes, kind-eyes, smiley-eyes, knowing-eyes, laughing-eyes, and a twinkle in their eyes!
Side walkers please hold on! As the vaccinations roll-out, and the number of new COVID cases decrease, we will again be able to support riders in close proximity. We miss you and your beautiful eyes all dearly.
Bren Pickel - Volunteer Coordinator
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| 2021 CTRA Memberships Available Now!Membership is a great way to support the association by becoming a part of this community on a deeper level and to demonstrate CTRA's community engagement to funders. At $10 it is an affordable way to support CTRA and stay involved. The general membership meets once a year to review CTRA's vision and mission, the health of the organization, as well as planning for the future!
Contact us for more information.
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PINK SHIRT DAY
Let those at risk of being ostracized know they are welcome and belong. - UBC prof Amori Mikami
Pink Shirt Day has long been an important day for the staff at CTRA to annually celebrate. Yes, we like any opportunity to dress the ponies up in pink but, more importantly, it is cause we rally around daily. Pink Shirt Day started as an anti-bullying campaign in Nova Scotia which made its way across the country emphasizing kindness and inclusion.
Bullying is a form of aggression where there is a power imbalance; the person doing the bullying has power over the person being victimized. In additional to any physical trauma incurred, bullying can result in serious emotional problems, including anxiety, low self-esteem, or depression. (Red Cross Canada)
Our province's chosen theme for this year's Pink Shirt Day, "lift each other up," was explained in a joint statement by Premier John Horgan, Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside and Carol Todd, founder of the Amanda Todd Legacy Society. "Lifting each other up means accepting and respecting each other, regardless of race, culture, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. It means seeing others for their strengths, abilities and things we have in common. It means taking the time to understand different points of view and share experiences," the statement said.
As our vision statement declares, CTRA exists as a place where the human-equine relationship creates opportunities for achievment and positive human experiences.
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Support CTRA through returnables!
CTRA has a large Return It bin at the top of the driveway leading down to the stable. Drop off your returnable drink containers any time! Plastic and metal containers go in the big bin. Glass returnables go into the blue bins alongside. This ongoing fundraiser is easy and effective!
Returnables can also be taken to the Duncan or South Cowichan Island Return It Depots and donated to our account. Simply tell the cashier they are for Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association when you reach the counter.
You can also take your unsorted returnables to the Return-It Express in Ladysmith! Simply use our phone number to generate your labels. 250-746-1028. These returnables must be in clear bags.
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|  | Ember & Steve
Our instructors find creative ways to de-sensitize and accustom our therapy horses to new equipment and toys.
Ember really warmed up to this Unicorn friend we named Steve!
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Get Involved!There are always many ways to support any non-profit. Here are some of ours.
Thrifty Foods Smile Cards
By using a CTRA-linked Thrifty Foods Smile Card, your grocery purchases put money in our pocket! Thrifty Foods generously donates 5% of the amounts you load onto your card. It's so easy! Please contact us to get a CTRA Smile Card and start shopping!
Volunteering
There are many roles that CTRA volunteers can have, but the most common are side walkers and horse handlers to facilitate our lessons.
To find our more about how you can take part in what we do, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Bren Pickel at 250-746-1028 or bren@ctra.ca.
Tack Donations
We can always use tack! Donations of gently used and in good condition horse tack and equipment are a great way to help. Items we can use in our own programs are sidelined--reducing our equipment costs. Items we can sell in the Jane James Used Tack Shop generate funds for our programming. Higher value donations are eligible for tax receipts if desired.
Sponsorships/Donations
philanthropy: the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes
Sponsoring an event or project, getting coworkers together to sponsor a horse, or simply making a donation are all great ways to practice philanthropy in your community. You will receive recognition for your contribution and know that you have made a difference. Find out more here.
Monthly Giving
Committing to even a small monthly donation makes a difference to our bottom line. Having steady, reliable and unrestricted funding allows better budgeting for the basics such as utilities, wages and other overhead costs that many grants won't cover. Monthly donations are easily set up on Canada Helps.
Planned Giving
Consider a legacy gift in your will or as part of your long term financial planning. Talk to your financial advisor about how to set this up.
Being a CTRA Ambassador
Spreading the word about CTRA keeps us engaged with our community and garners support from our funders. Plus, it can help to direct new participants and volunteers to us. Our social media channels are an easy way to share and promote therapeutic riding!
Support Our Supporters
Since many of our supporters are local businesses, it helps to let them know you appreciate their contribution to CTRA. Knowing that their involvement has been noticed is wonderful feedback to receive!
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Spotlight on:
BOSCO
This stunning Hannoverian came to us after having a career in eventing and jumping. Now he is enjoying a quieter life doing some para-dressage and on-lead therapy lessons. Bosco loves just about everybody, except Rudy the cat!
You can follow his adventures on our social media using his hashtag: #LikeABosco
If you are interested in sponsoring BOSCO or another therapy horse please contact us at 250-746-1028
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| | Visit our website for everything you want to know about CTRA! You can find press releases, information about our herd of therapy horses, forms and much, much more.
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| | Facebook is a great place to see what is happening day by day at CTRA. Follow us to stay current and see some of those special moments that happen here.
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| | You will smile. You will laugh. You will cry. You will relate. Follow us on Instagram for memorable moments that will touch your heart.
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| | Looking for some CTRA in action? Watch staff, horses, and riders moving and grooving in these creative short videos.
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The Valentine's Day auction was a sucess! Winners enjoyed three different "dates" with three of our superstar unicorn therapy horses. Up for grabs was a snuggle up movie night with Leo, an afternoon picnic with Ember, and a self indulgent "spa" experience with Smokey. Thank you to everyone who took part.
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