Fall 2017

Camp Cody, New Mexico, 1917: 650 officers and enlisted men of the Auxiliary Remount Depot No.326 (a Cavalry unit) pose for this tribute to horses lost in WWI (source: www.horsenetwork.com)

Horses Helping Soldiers: The History and the Future

There is a long-standing history between horses and soldiers. Beyond battlefield utility, horses have been used therapeutically by the military since ancient Greece. During the First World War, British physiotherapist Olive Sands reintroduced equine-based rehabilitation for wounded veterans. Her success prompted the adoption of therapeutic riding for persons with disabilities – starting in the United Kingdom and spreading across the world. The first therapeutic riding program in Canada was introduced in Ontario in 1963. The Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (the national governing body for therapeutic riding) was formed in 1980. The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association was founded in 1986.

Since the early days of therapeutic riding, the focus of therapeutic treatment has shifted from the physical (corporeal injuries/disability) to the psychological (mental health). Even more recently, attention has turned to the social impacts of this service (focusing on the supportive interpersonal connections and sense of belonging made possible by programs like CTRA). As we develop our understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Operational Stress Injuries (OSI), horses and soldiers are coming together, once again, through equine-facilitated wellness programs.

Recent studies have explored the benefits of equine-assisted therapeutic programs serving military veterans with a PTSD/OSI diagnosis. Early findings demonstrate that these interventions help participants to manage conflict, improve communication, regulate moods/emotions, and boost self-esteem. The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association provides both mounted and unmounted opportunities for “healing through horses.”

CTRA recognizes those who have given their lives to serve our country and are honoured to provide our services to Armed Forces members and veterans.

Vegas and therapy horse "Jake"

Viva Vegas!

Vegas Dargatz is CTRA’s newest staff member but no stranger to CTRA or therapeutic riding.

Vegas hails from Chilliwack BC, where she grew up around horses. At age 11 Vegas was given an Anglo-Arab that she credits with changing her life for the better. “I was hanging with a bad crowd,” Vegas explains, “the responsibility that came with horse ownership changed all that.” As a result of this experience, Vegas believes strongly in the positive impact that caring for horses can make in the lives of young people.

One of the many fascinating things about Vegas is her background serving as a missionary in Peru. During her time working for an organization called Camp La Joya, Vegas started a horse program. At one point, the camp began welcoming visits from an organization that worked with children with disabilities. It was after witnessing the interactions of these children with the Camp La Joya horses that Vegas was “sold” on the value of therapeutic riding and equine-interactions for persons with special needs. Since learning more about the benefits of equine-based therapies through CTRA, Vegas is especially interested in the therapeutic effects of this intervention for children with Autism.

After 22 years in Peru, Vegas returned to the West Coast of Canada in 2016 - this time landing on Vancouver Island. Shortly after this move, Vegas began volunteering at CTRA.

“I wanted to connect with and serve my community,” Vegas recalls, adding that volunteering with CTRA helped her to be a part of a “gift for the kids and their parents.”

In September 2017, Vegas started working for CTRA – helping the stable staff in the barn and working in the Jane James Used Tack Shop on Saturdays. When asked what she likes best about her new role, she says it is learning new things. “The Instructors are phenomenal,” she says. “I learn from them every day.” Vegas also very much enjoys the challenge of CTRA’s fast-paced stable and interactions with customers in the tack store.

Post Script: With a cool name like Vegas, we just had to ask about the origin story. Vegas explains that while pregnant, her mother and father travelled to Las Vegas. During their stay, her father started calling “the bump” Vegas and the name just stuck!

Research Shows Price, Convenience, and Cause Important to Tack Store Customers

Recently, a group of Camosun marketing students carried out a research project for CTRA's Jane James Used Tack Shop.

This research project was one of the prizes awarded to CTRA for their 2016 seCatalyst award. The seCatalyst competition is a friendly “Dragon’s Den”-style event that recognizes outstanding social enterprises on Vancouver Island.

Through this project, a survey was circulated to members of the horse community on Vancouver Island via CTRA’s email database and CTRA’s/HCBC’s social media pages. The study asked questions about the respondent's preferences when shopping for "tack" (horse equipment and riding apparel). The students used random selection to analyze the responses of 161 participants.

Major Findings

Respondents considered price and convenience to be very important to their shopping decisions.
For 75% of responding consumers, supporting a cause plays a factor in their decision to purchase tack
Most shoppers spent about the same amount of money each year on tack, regardless of income level
70% of respondents prefer to purchase tack in-store (rather than online). This is attributed to inconvenient shipping costs/waits as well as the desire to see/inspect the item in person.
78% of responding buyers prefer to shop in a store whereas 22% prefer to buy from private sellers
37% of respondents usually buy used tack (instead of new)

These findings are of tremendous value in helping CTRA to better reach and serve our tack store customers and thereby generate more funding for our therapeutic services.

The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association would like to thank Professor Cynthia Wrate and Camosun students Aaron Brewer, Crystal Dyson, Kayleigh Janssen, Janie Chandler, and Jasmin Kaur for their hard work and dedication to this project.

CTRA also extends our thanks to the Horse Council of BC for their assistance with circulating this survey to Vancouver Island members.

CTRA's Jane James Tack Shop is open in our new location with expanded hours!

Present this coupon in person or on your phone to receive this deal!

CTRA Opens Community Lesson Program!

CTRA relies on community support to provide life-enhancing programs for individuals and families in the Cowichan region. Fundraising is one of the primary ways that CTRA offsets operational costs in order to ensure that therapeutic services remain accessible for persons with special needs.

Starting this fall, CTRA is offering community riding lessons as a fundraising activity.

Through the community riding lesson program, CTRA will make a limited number of riding lessons available each session for clients without a referral (i.e. riders without special needs).

These lessons will be taught by Equine Canada Certified Coaches using CTRA’s extremely safe and extensively-trained therapy horses – making this opportunity a great fit for new or nervous riders.

Not only are community lessons a great opportunity for local riders, they provide much-needed mental and physical cross-training experiences for CTRA's therapy horses – helping them to stay fit and happy in their important service roles.

Community lessons will be held at CTRA’s facility but will take place outside of CTRA’s therapeutic programming. Registrants will enroll by the session (typically a 6-week block of lessons, attending once per week), but mid-session intake may be possible pending available spaces.

All of the money raised by the community riding lesson program will support CTRA's services for persons with special needs.

This fundraiser will help CTRA’s charitable activities become more sustainable through internally-generated revenue. While none of funding received for our therapeutic purposes will support the community lesson program, all of the revenue generated by these lessons will support our charitable services. This social enterprise is a critical step towards predictable, self-directed funding and CTRA's long-term financial security.

Lessons are limited, and space availability is subject to program capacity. To register for CTRA’s community lessons or to learn more about CTRA’s therapeutic services please visit www.ctra.ca or contact info@ctra.ca / 250-746-1028.

Jasmine Dale wows the crowd on CTRA's "Leo" at the 2017 Saanich Fair

CVPAF Funding for Young Vaulters!

The Cowichan Valley Perfoming Arts Foundation (CVPAF) is a local non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance and funding through bursaries and scholarships to young applicants (18 and under) requiring support to pursue performing arts activities.

Recently, the CVPAF opened up applications to youth involved with equestrian vaulting. Equestrian Vaulting is a team-based activity that blends gymnastic routines and dance aesthetics aboard a moving horse. CTRA's Adapted Equestrian Vaulting program makes this highly engaging, immersive, and empowering experience available for participants with special needs.

CTRA's young vaulters are encouraged to apply by December 1st for program registration in January.

An informative video on the CVPAF is available here.

Visit the CVPAF website for more information and applications.

Horse Heros Needed!

November 28th is #GivingTuesday (the antithesis to "Black Friday").

Please give to CTRA's #GivingTuesday campaign to help us support therapy horse "Jake" for a full year. Our $2500 goal will help cover the costs of the feed, hay, and farrier/vet visits required to care for this sweet pony.

CTRA has many other therapy horses that are seeking sponsorship.

Sponsorship is a great thing to take on as a family project or a workplace campaign. We encourage our sponsors to select "their" horse and get involved with these special animals: visiting them on the holidays, staying in touch on social media, and generally becoming part of the big family here at CTRA. Contact our office to find out how you can sponsor a therapy horse.

CTRA Announcements

CTRA desperately needs more suitable therapy horses for our growing program. We're looking for "been-there-done-that" types around middle age. Must be sound, safe, and preferably already in consistent work. Med-large ponies and small horses are particularly needed. A trial period is required for all horses considered for the program. Free leases are preferred with the possibility of a small budget for purchases. Contact CTRA with any leads.
CTRA is collecting donations for Toys Toiletries and Touques - a Cowichan Valley initiative that is gathering new non-food items for those in need. Donations can be dropped off at the CTRA office or connect with the TTT group on Facebook to learn more.
CTRA's Volunteer Holiday Party is Sunday, December 3rd at "high noon." The theme is western and the location will be the "Big House" on Providence Farm. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Bren for more information and to RSVP.
CTRA will be hosting the West Coast Winter Fest - an equestrian vaulting competition - on Saturday December 2, 2017. CTRA vaulters are encouraged to participate and the public is welcomed to watch (from our new heated viewing lounge)!

Bottoms Up for CTRA!

Time to get rid of those old bottles and cans left over from your summer BBQs?

Take them to the Duncan or South Cowichan Return It depots and donate the rebates to CTRA!

CTRA has an account at both locations - simply bring your bottles at any time throughout the year and let them know you want the proceeds added to the CTRA's account. Just make sure you let the cashier know your wishes before you put through the transaction!

Cheers!

5 minutes to spare? Check out these awesome new videos!

Warning: Get ready for ALL the feelings!

CTRA thanks Nick Versteeg of DV Media Inc. and filmmaker Geoff Arrowsmith for their time and dedication to this project.

A BIG high five to Neil and Alan Cutler for sharing their stories and all the volunteers, staff, and actors that helped to make these videos possible.

Help Us Fill Santa's Neigh Sleigh!

CTRA's annual holiday campaign is here again and we're looking for support to help us fill Santa's Neigh Sleigh!

Here's How YOU Can Make a Difference:

$25 will feed a therapy horse a scrumptious Holiday Dinner!
$100 buys a new pair of "party shoes" (horseshoes) for one of our therapy horses!
$300 gives a hard-working therapy horse a spa package (chiropractor visit and/or massage therapy treatment)
$500 buys a winter wardrobe for one of our therapy horses - with all the layers they need to keep warm and dry this season!

Donations to the Neigh Sleigh campaign make great gifts. Just go to our Canada Helps Page and select the preset donation you would like to contribute. Or enter an amount of your choosing.

The easy-to-use online platform allows you to make your gift in honour of someone else - making a Neigh Sleigh donation a great alternative to online shopping this holiday season.

Prefer analog? No problem - give us a call at 250-746-1028 and we'll be happy to work with you to arrange a donation. If you'd like to give a donation as a gift, we would love to work with you to arrange for a custom card, photo opportunity, or anything else that helps make your present special.