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.”
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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. ”
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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. |
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!
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.
