OLDS – The Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) will be hosting its national conference in Olds on May 29 - 31, the first time the event will be held in this community.
The Mount View Special Riding Association, based in Olds, is an accredited member of CanTRA and is the host association for the conference.
CanTRA is the governing body for establishing and maintaining standards for programs and instructors providing therapeutic riding and related programs.
Shelene Williams is a CanTRA board member and an instructor with the local group.
“Therapeutic riding is where you use (horse) riding skills to help people with disabilities, to show progress, learn new skills, meet educational goals and therapeutic physical goals,” said Williams.
“CanTRA is also involved in the emotional side of therapy as well. CanTRA does have an aspect of that.”
The May conference will include professional presenters highlighting CanTRA’s program:
• Tegwyn Harper, an experienced human sports body massage therapist and CanTRA coach and examiner will speak about therapeutic riding and the protection of horses involved in the programs.
• Pippa Hodge is a founding member of the American Hippotheraphy Association and chairperson of CanTRA’s hippotherapy committee.
• Tricia Mellor will speak on equine facilitated wellness. She has a master of social work and 15 years experience.
Anyone interested in attending the conference can register with the CanTRA office at [email protected].
