Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association

Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association Please visit www.vtra.ca for more information.

VTRA is a registered charity and non-profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding and related equine-assisted activities for those with diverse abilities. VTRA has been operating since 1982, when it was started by a small and extremely dedicated group of visionaries who wanted to bring the proven benefits of equine assisted activities to our community. Finding a permanent home wa

s a challenge for the program in the early years; in 2009 VTRA was fortunate to be able to set up long term operations its’ current location. Its history demonstrates growth from a small, volunteer-only organization to a well-structured not-for-profit agency with an employed staff, consisting of highly trained and experienced therapeutic riding professionals. There is a large pool of committed volunteers who provide most of our program services, working as horse handlers, sidewalkers, assistant instructors, grooms, and helpers in the clubhouse. The scope of our activities and the degree of organization have increased over the years, resulting in a substantial enhancement of levels of service and efficacy of our programs.

💙 National Volunteer Appreciation Week 💙Did you know? 82% of our volunteers say they feel very or extremely valued for t...
04/21/2026

💙 National Volunteer Appreciation Week 💙

Did you know?
82% of our volunteers say they feel very or extremely valued for the time and care they give at VTRA.

And the truth is, we appreciate every single one of you.

💙 National Volunteer Appreciation Week 💙“It is the work of angels to give to children like they do.”Stories like this re...
04/20/2026

💙 National Volunteer Appreciation Week 💙

“It is the work of angels to give to children like they do.”

Stories like this remind us why our volunteers matter so deeply. Because of your patience, kindness, and commitment, families feel supported, children feel safe, and meaningful connections are built, one ride at a time. 🐴✨

Thank you for showing up, for caring so wholeheartedly, and for being such an important part of each family’s journey at VTRA.

💙 National Volunteer Appreciation Week 💙Our volunteers are the heart of VTRA. Every shift, every smile, every moment of ...
04/19/2026

💙 National Volunteer Appreciation Week 💙

Our volunteers are the heart of VTRA. Every shift, every smile, every moment of care makes a difference for our participants and horses.

Thank you for giving your time, your energy, and your hearts, we couldn’t do this without you. 🐴✨

💖 Building Resilience, One Ride at a TimeWorking with horses invites perseverance, patience, and adaptability.Some days ...
04/18/2026

💖 Building Resilience, One Ride at a Time

Working with horses invites perseverance, patience, and adaptability.

Some days bring new challenges, while others offer smooth, confidence‑building moments — and both contribute to developing inner resilience.

At VTRA, participants learn to stay present, adjust to the moment, and celebrate progress at their own pace. Over time, these experiences strengthen coping skills, self‑regulation, and overall well‑being.

With every session, participants discover their capacity to grow, adapt, and keep moving forward. 🌟🐴

Learn more about our programs at VTRA.CA

04/17/2026

🌟 Step by Step: A Participant's Journey at VTRA 🌟

This week with Leslie was all about comfort, communication, and teamwork. Leslie shared that her hip was bothering her, which sparked a great collaborative discussion with the team about how we could improve her experience in the cart, because participant comfort and safety always come first.

With her wonderful sense of humor, Leslie joked that all the adjustments might be a waste of time (cue lots of laughter!), but Louise quickly reminded her that taking the time to get things right is always worth it. After all, it took weeks to properly fit Sadie’s harness and the cart, and those details matter.

The team is now exploring using an additional seat to elevate Leslie’s hips, helping reduce knee bend and discomfort. These thoughtful adjustments are crucial to ensuring Leslie can fully enjoy her lessons and work toward her goals.

And the payoff is already showing! Just this week, we noticed how responsive Sadie has become to Leslie’s voice commands, especially when asking her to walk on. So impressive to see this partnership developing already! 🐴✨

Huge thanks to our incredible volunteer driving team, none of this would be possible without your care, patience, and dedication. 💜

📣 Help Shape the Future of VTRA!We’ve sent out a survey by email today to our current and active community members, and ...
04/15/2026

📣 Help Shape the Future of VTRA!

We’ve sent out a survey by email today to our current and active community members, and we’d love your input 💛

Your feedback helps guide our decisions and shape the future of VTRA.

✅ Please take a few minutes to complete the survey
📬 Didn’t receive the email? Get in touch with us and we’ll make sure you have the link

Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us grow, your voice truly matters!

04/10/2026

🌟 Step by Step: A Participant;s Journet at VTRA 🌟

🎉 Welcome Back to Cart Driving with Leslie! 🎉

We are thrilled to begin a new Participant Journey while celebrating the return of our beloved Cart Driving Program, made possible by our truly amazing volunteer teams, without whom this program simply could not run. 💜👏

Meet Leslie, a 72‑year‑old living with cerebral palsy and a lifelong horsewoman. Leslie has ridden and owned horses most of her life, and although her diagnosis meant stepping away from riding several years ago, her passion for horses has never left. 🐴✨

In her first lesson, Leslie partnered with Sadie, focusing on the basics, getting to know each other and becoming comfortable with Sadie’s big, powerful movement. One of Leslie’s main goals this term is to articulate clear voice commands, an essential skill in driving and an exciting challenge she’s already tackling with determination.

For a very first lesson together, Leslie and Sadie accomplished so much, trotting and being clipped on the bit, a huge achievement and a testament to Leslie’s experience, Sadie’s steadiness, and the incredible support of our volunteer driving team. Way to go, Leslie! 🌟

We’re so excited to follow Leslie’s journey this term and deeply grateful to our dedicated volunteers who make moments like this possible. 💜

PS: yes, we sped up the video 😉

🗣️ Developing Leadership Through Equine PartnershipsInteracting with horses encourages clear communication, thoughtful c...
04/04/2026

🗣️ Developing Leadership Through Equine Partnerships

Interacting with horses encourages clear communication, thoughtful choices, and adaptable leadership.

Whether leading a horse on the ground or guiding one from the saddle, participants practice setting boundaries, expressing cues calmly, and making decisions with intention.

These experiences help individuals strengthen assertiveness, presence, and self‑trust — skills that translate to everyday situations.

Horses respond authentically, giving people immediate, honest feedback that supports growth as a leader. 🐴💬

Support our herd and riders at VTRA.CA — every contribution makes a difference.

🐰🌷 Wishing Everyone a Happy Easter Weekend! 🌷🐰Just a friendly reminder that VTRA will be closed from Friday to Monday. W...
04/03/2026

🐰🌷 Wishing Everyone a Happy Easter Weekend! 🌷🐰

Just a friendly reminder that VTRA will be closed from Friday to Monday. We hope you enjoy the long weekend and get to spend some quality time with loved ones (and maybe some chocolate too!).

Term 4 will start on Tuesday, April 7th.

Wishing you a joyful and relaxing Easter weekend!

🤝Learning Empathy and Teamwork With HorsesHorses communicate through body language, energy, and awareness — offering a g...
03/29/2026

🤝Learning Empathy and Teamwork With Horses

Horses communicate through body language, energy, and awareness — offering a gentle invitation to listen, observe, and respect another being’s perspective.

Participants at VTRA learn how to collaborate with their equine partner, which naturally builds empathy, patience, and cooperative skills. These lessons extend beyond the arena into friendships, school, workplaces, and family life.

Working together with horses helps people understand themselves and others more deeply. 🤝🐴

Learn more about our programs at VTRA.CA

03/28/2026

🌸 Two unforgettable weeks of Spring Break Camps! 🌸

From big smiles and new friendships to learning, creativity, and confidence-building moments — our camps gave kids and teens a space to grow, try new things, and have so much fun along the way 💛

These camps are about more than activities — they help build independence, teamwork, resilience, and a sense of belonging, all while creating memories they’ll carry long after the break ends.

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible volunteers and dedicated staff who brought the energy, care, and heart that made these weeks so special. We truly couldn’t do it without you 👏✨

Until the next adventure! 🌈

Address

6917 Veyaness Road, Central Saanich
Victoria, BC
V8M1W1

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+17784260506

Website

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