Flowers, Vegetables and Strawberries

Spring Time at the VTRA

The deadline to order flowers from the Annual Flower/Vegetable Sale is April 24th-one week today!
Order your plants now to have a stunning garden through the summer months. The plants are full and lush, making a tremendous addition to the patio or yard. Click here to order your plants today!

Annual Raffle Ticket Draw

The VTRA proudly announces its Annual Raffle Prize ticket fundraiser. This year, the Echo Valley Ranch and Spa is sponsoring a Two night package worth over $1700. for the lucky winner to have a peaceful and adventurous holiday. The second prize is a Lenovo Laptop, valued at $650. and lastly, a cash prize of $500.

Tickets are still only $10. each and the odds are in your favour with a potential maximum of 2000 up for sale. Buy your ticket today by contacting the Office at 778.426.0506 or take a book of tickets to sell to your friends, family and co-workers.

All tickets must be returned to the office by June 8th. The draw will take place on Monday June 10th.

The VTRA 3-Event Day

Join the VTRA at Beaver and Elk Lakes for our upcoming 3-Event Day on May 25, 2019.

Prizes, laughs and beautiful surroundings will makes this an annual event you don’t want to miss.

Welcome Valla !

Valla is an exciting new addition to our herd of twelve hardworking horses. Born in 2009, Valla is has a sweet, inquisitive nature with a feisty side just to keep life interesting. Valla is new to therapeutic training, but she seems keen to learn and try new things. It won’t be long before she joins our regular rotation of horses in the ring. A big VTRA welcome to our newest, Norwegian Fjord!

2018 Steeplechase

Click here to donate to your favourite horse and rider!

[progpress title=”Team Cisco” goal=”1000″ current=”500″ previous=”500″ label=”raised”]

[progpress title=”Team Danny” goal=”1000″ current=”380″ previous=”380″ label=”raised”]

[progpress title=”Team Maryke” goal=”1000″ current=”100″ previous=”100″ label=”raised”]

[progpress title=”Team Moose” goal=”1000″ current=”33″ previous=”33″ label=”raised”]

[progpress title=”Team Java” goal=”1000″ current=”240″ previous=”240″ label=”raised”]

[progpress title=”Team Lyla” goal=”2000″ current=”1600″ previous=”1600″ label=”raised”]

[progpress title=”Team Cherry” goal=”1000″ current=”25″ previous=”25″ label=”raised”]

[progpress title=”Team Bangsi” goal=”1000″ current=”100″ previous=”100″ label=”raised”]

[progpress title=”Team Joey” goal=”1000″ current=”500″ previous=”500″ label=”raised”]

[progpress title=”Team Dinah” goal=”1000″ current=”265″ previous=”265″ label=”raised”]

[progpress title=”Team KC” goal=”1000″ current=”215″ previous=”215″ label=”raised”]

[progpress title=”Team Trigger” goal=”1000″ current=”700″ previous=”700″ label=”raised”]

2018 Rider and Volunteer Survey Response

We hear you!
Summary of comments from the Feedback Survey

Your Request	Our Response
“Written goals for riders with follow up“	Our instructors have Term Goal Sheets to set a specific goal for each rider per term. We also have a Rider Report Summary for each rider every term, which keeps track of riders’ current riding skill and life skill progressions.
“Perhaps a brief course in communication with sensitivity could be offered and made mandatory to all of the volunteers?”	We are continuously trying to develop and add new options to volunteer training process. VTRA wants to help everyone feel comfortable and invested in their role here. This upcoming volunteer training week, we will be offering an Advanced SideWalker training as well as a guest speaker on communicating with our riders.
“Create a ‘getting ready’ routine written up for riders who may come with different assistants or caregivers.”	Our instructors have been working with some VTRA Board members (and a Speech Language Pathologist) to create a Social Story with photos of the whole lesson process at VTRA. This visual will be beneficial to riders who require clear routines and expectations to be successful.
” It would be nice if make up classes could be offered, when it is unavoidable to miss a class, and there is sufficient notice given. “	Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to accommodate make up lessons due to the limited availability of the instructors, the volunteers, the horses, the corresponding tack and lesson times.
Volunteers would like “Clearer delineation of roles of horse handler vs. side walkers when working with the students. It is a bit confusing when horse handlers give instructions also. ”	Instructors will continue to address the responsibilities of each volunteer position during the volunteer training sessions. We recommend that even more experienced volunteers return for ‘refresher’ training sessions on a regular basis. We have added multiple ‘advanced’ training sessions for this purpose.
Volunteers would like a “Calendar of Events for Volunteers and a bulletin board in the club house with more information specific to volunteers (upcoming events, roles, tips, etc.)”	Our Coordinator of Volunteers has implemented a facebook page for Volunteers of VTRA in order to keep volunteers feeling updated and appreciated. She will also work on putting up a bulletin board for upcoming events in the clubhouse!
Horse Handlers would like “short bios written up about each therapy horse, with tips on how to handle each horse ‘the VTRA way’ to keep handling consistent”	Instructors have coordinated the most important information about handling each of our horses ‘the VTRA way’ to keep expectations consistent for our horses and handlers. Although things are always likely to change, this information is now posted on each horse’s stall door.
Horse handlers would like “More engagement when being a horse handler for very independent riders, with no other duties than leading the horse into the ring and back to the stall.”	Although it may feel like your role is not as important for very independent riders, we do depend on you in the case of an emergency for the safety of comfort of the riders and horses in the ring. We appreciate you wanting to be more involved, so please speak to the individual instructor of the class to find out how you can help your rider even if they are independent.

500 hours of volunteering and counting!

Ti’s the season to be thankful for the wonderful people that represent VTRA, especially the volunteers. Without their commitment and dedication, VTRA would not be able to help as many people as we do. Yet a special thanks needs to be given to our superstar volunteers: Lynn and Mo Girard.

Several years ago Lynn retired after working 30 years at TELUS. Due to years of heavy lifting and driving she needed spinal cord surgery, which entailed regular exercise post-surgery. Instead of buying a gym membership though, Lynn decided she wanted to stay active while volunteering, because TELUS would donate $1 for every hour its retired employees volunteered at any non-profit organization. Volunteers, otherwise known as Community Ambassadors, can volunteer up to 500 hours a year.

Asking her daughter in-law for advice on volunteer opportunities in Victoria, VTRA was mentioned as a possibility. Lynn had previously worked in barns and loved horses, so she immediately knew this would be a perfect fit.

Since 2014, Lynn has clocked in 500 hours per year at VTRA, which means that TELUS has donated $1,500 on her behalf.

Lynn’s generosity of time and passion for VTRA doesn’t seem to tire. She and her husband, Mo, have contributed funds to replace outdated helmets and to upgrade the furniture in the club house. Mo has even become a trusty handy-man for VTRA. He built new bookcase stands for the boots and helmets, installed an automatic water system for the horses in the stalls, and given the barn a fabulous upgrade.

VTRA cannot thank both Lynn and Mo enough for all their time, dedication and resources. And a big THANK YOU to all our volunteers who made 2017 such a great year!

Happy New Year, y’all!

October Feature: Anne Waterhouse

Did you know that one of our longest standing board members received the Caring Canadian Awards, by the former Governor General David Johnston? She is one VTRA’s most dedicated and generous donors, but you would never know when speaking with her due to her modest character. Anne Waterhouse shies away from any attention, but without her support VTRA’s doors would have closed years ago.

Anne began volunteering as a side walker for VTRA (then called Victoria Riding for the Disabled) in 2001 when it was located at Forest Mere, by Elk Lake. Having recently moved back to Victoria from Seattle, Washington, Anne wanted to join a community that loved horses as much as she and use the skills she had acquired while volunteering at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Therapeutic riding perfectly combined her skills and interests.

True to form, Anne didn’t boast about her extensive background in horse handling or riding. Yet one day when a horse escaped from the barn, none of the staff or volunteers knew what to do except Anne, who took charge and safely reined the horse in. Consequently, she became the horse handler and eventually a board member.
By 2009, a series of unfortunate circumstances at the old property forced the board to find a new location. Anne not only suggested the current site on Veyaness Rd, but also purchased and helped renovate the property for VTRA’s exclusive use. Furthermore, Anne has cared for the horses every summer to allow the horses to rest and relax before the fall session. It came as no surprise, therefore, when she was awarded the Caring Canadian Awards in 2012.

There is no question that VTRA could not keep its doors open without Anne’s tireless dedication and support. We may never be able to properly thank her for all she has given to make VTRA such a highly-skilled organization that has touched so many lives, but as you may surmise, recognition isn’t her motivation. What Anne loves is hearing the many magical moments that happen in the ring and sharing these stories with others. After all, harnessing potential, moving together, and inspiring lives is what it’s all about.

VTRA Policy Updates

Starting in September 2017, VTRA has updated some updated policies and procedures.

Weight Policy

VTRA has always had a weight limit of 150 pounds, but recently this policy has been rewritten in increase clarity and allow for some riders over our weight limit to join the program or stay in the program. The new weight policy uses a calculation including the weight of the rider, tack and equipment, individual balance and cognition, number of sidewalkers, and size of horse. The results of this measurement will allow for some riders over 150, but under 180, to ride in the program.

Seizure Policy

The Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association, our governing body, issued a revised version of the seizure policy in 2017. It is being adopted by VTRA starting in September 2017. Seizures have always been a contraindication to therapeutic riding. The new policy has timelines for how long to wait before resuming riding, and differentiates between types of seizures. As always, please remember to update staff immediately should there be any change to medication, or if a rider experiences a seizure.

Increase in Fee

Effective September 2017, the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association is implementing a fee increase. The cost of a group lesson for Adaptive Riding will increase from $25 per lesson to $27.50 per lesson. All other lesson costs will remain the same.
The change was voted on by the Board of Directors for implementation starting in September 2017. It has been over five years since our last fee increase. The cost of running our program is significant, and a small portion of it is covered by rider’s fees. The rest of the costs are covered by donations, grants, and fundraisers.
If this fee increase presents a financial burden to you, please reach out. There is the option of paying a discounted fee, applying for outside funding, or applying for a bursary from VTRA.

If you would like more information on any of these new policies, please contact admin@vtra.ca.

Volunteer Update

VTRA would like to extend a warm welcome back to all of our returning volunteers, and a warm welcome to the 26 new volunteers that have joined our team this fall. We hope that you all enjoyed your well-deserved summer break! This year, we started our program two weeks earlier than usual to try something different with our scheduling. We would appreciate any feedback you have in regards to the earlier start date: the good, the bad and the ugly!