By Daphne Davey

The 2016 Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association Award winners have been selected. CanTRA is honoured to present the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Outstanding Instructor of the Year, Outstanding Administrator of the Year and Therapy Horse of the Year.

Andrea Gillies Award: Outstanding Instructor

Sponsor: Gay Wood

ALISSA CUE - Free Spirit Therapeutic Riding Association (Aylesford, NS)

Alissa is always a positive and encouraging voice that lets her students know they are amazing. She celebrates every little accomplishment like it is simply the greatest thing she has ever seen. Alissa has the ability to make people, especially young people, believe in themselves.

Shelley, parent of a FSTRA rider: Sometimes it’s hard as a parent with a uniquely-abled child to let someone else to do activities with them the way you see best. Alissa makes everyone feel welcome. Her true gift is that she has empathy.

Rhonda Davies Award: Outstanding Volunteer

Sponsors: John and Donna Davies

BUTCH MCGEE – The Joyriders Therapeutic Riding Association (Hunter River, PEI)

Butch has accumulated over 500 volunteer hours, not counting as a member of the Board and helping with special events.

Hannah, a rider: Butch is not just a side-walker - is so much more. He doesn’t like a lot of fuss. He just wants to do his job. He is a true gentleman who shows the most respect for the animals. Butch helps out with fundraising, promotion, and raising the expectations of anyone around him. He has a quiet disposition that everyone respects.

Jetty Chapman Award: Outstanding Administrator

Sponsors: Christine and Oren Birch

MICHELLE BOZEC – PARD Therapeutic Riding (Peterborough, ON)

Michelle has been a volunteer for 14 years, assisting with the program, eventually becoming a board member and Volunteer Coordinator. Michelle spends many hours to keep PARD up-to-date on the Disabilities Act, our volunteers’ files up to date…  and ensuring our program continues to operate on a professional level.

She keeps our yearly horse shows running efficiently. These shows raise significant funds towards operating costs... Michelle has a wealth of knowledge on what the program has been in the past, enabling us to move forward. 

CanTRA Therapy Horse Award

Sponsors: Manning Equine Vet Services 

MOLLY – SARI Therapeutic Riding (London, ON)

Molly has loyally served SARI for eight years. Her size and temperament are the classic traits that therapeutic riding centres value most. From unbalanced riders to loud riders to squirmy riders, she’ll keep everyone safe. Her slow and steady gait puts riders and parents at ease. 

Molly doesn’t have a nasty bone in her body. She teaches her riders confidence as they progress, knowing that she won’t take a step out of place. Molly shows all the instructors how much she truly loves her job. She is the type of horse every instructor dreams to teach on.

For more information on CanTRA and its member centres, visit www.cantra.ca or email ctra@golden.net. 

Please make a difference to a child or adult with a disability by donating to CanTRA at www.cantra.ca or CanadaHelps.org.