TROtt - http://trott.ncf.ca/
TROtt is a registered charity that has been serving children, youth and adults in the Ottawa area with primarily physical, developmental and learning disabilities for over 35 years.
In 1975, a group of riders at an Ottawa stable became interested in forming a riding group for People with Disabilities. Lelia Sponsel, having made enquiries from the Toronto-area group, CARD, began to develop ideas regarding procedure, forms, volunteers, training of horses, equipment and the need to involve the medical profession. The main support came from Dr. McIntyre, orthopedic surgeon at CHEO, who encouraged the Children’s Treatment Centre to help with the development of the necessary admission forms and selection of prospective riders. A mounting block was built by staff and students of Borden High School. Funds were raised to rent four horses for one hour a week for one year. Volunteers were trained. A Physical Therapist was ready to help guide exercises. Four applicants were accepted, having been granted permission by their physicians and parents. After purchasing riding helmets and pommel straps, the group was ready to start at 9 a.m. on July 4, 1975.
The original 10 Volunteers grew in experience and numbers. They formed an association, called GRAD. The Instructors, Therapists and Volunteers took courses in Toronto and in the United States. There were now three weekly sessions with up to 20 riders. It became apparent that another facility was needed to accommodate the group; thus GRAD moved to Equidae Stables in Greely in September 1982, and became TROtt. Gordon and Nancy Reid, owners of the facility, became very interested in supporting TROtt and making Equidae a centre for therapeutic riding. Over the years, the amenities, the horses, the stable and the tack were improved. The TROtt Board of Directors supported training courses for Instructors and Therapists; knowledge grew and Instructors earned CanTRA certification. Over the years, Lelia Sponsel’s involvement changed. It ranged from President to Program Director; to training Instructors; to TROtt Advisor. “I have enjoyed the challenge, the risk-taking, the learning and, above all, the opportunity to share her sport – riding horses – with so many TROtt riders.”
TROtt provides programming for children and adults with conditions such as cerebral palsy, developmental delay, spina bifida, stroke, head injuries, multiple sclerosis, amputees, sensory integration dysfunction, learning and language disabilities, Downs Syndrome, and visual impairments.
TROtt has CanTRA and Equine Canada certified instructors and coaches, an experienced therapist, trained volunteers and staff. Our very special, well-behaved horses are chosen for their temperaments. They are carefully selected and trained, which enables us to provide a safe, structured, goal-oriented program that includes physical, social, cognitive and educational activities. Our facilities include a heated indoor arena, outdoor sand arena, activity rooms, viewing lounge, seminar room and washrooms.
TROtt supports the Canadian standardization of therapeutic riding instruction and provides in-house preparation for CanTRA’s internationally recognized instructor certification program. CanTRA examinations, coaching clinics and workshops are regularly held at the TROtt facilities. TROtt is a member in good standing of both OnTRA (provincial) and CanTRA (national). TROtt was awarded Bronze Accreditation Status by CanTRA in February of 2010.
Programs at TROtt
While all program activities are truly holistic in nature and engage the rider’s physical, mental and emotional participation, individual requirements and specific goals are met through placement in an appropriate program category.
THERAPEUTIC RIDING
Therapeutic Horse Riding is a global term which embraces all horse-related activities for people with disabilities.
Historically, the therapeutic benefits of the horse were recognized as early as 460 BC and have been recognized as physically, psychologically, socially and educationally beneficial.
Some of the benefits of Therapeutic Horse Riding are an improvement in physical health, relaxation of tight muscles, an increase in balance, building of muscle strength, mobilization of trunk and pelvis, sharpening of hand/eye coordination, improvement in social skills, and a gain of sense of control and self-confidence as the rider experiences a freedom which has often never been felt before.
GROUP CLASSES
Therapeutic Riding is conducted in small groups of up to four riders. Qualified instructors, assisted by volunteers, teach lessons tailored to the riders’ abilities and requirements. Riders are encouraged to develop functional riding skills with a therapeutic benefit.
DEVELOPMENTAL RIDING
Developmental Riding is conducted individually or in small groups. A trained therapist encourages the rider’s movement exploration through a variety of developmental motor, perceptual motor and other sensory and sequencing activities and games.
VAULTING
Remedial Educational Vaulting is a combination of movement, gymnastics and games on a moving horse and is done in small groups or 1:1. It introduces the child to the horse and his movement and can help develop, for example, strength, balance, body coordination, motor planning, communication, confidence and following direction.
OTHER PROGRAMS
TROtt offers a summer camp to riders who are already registered in the program. “Summerfest” is a day of fun where riders play games on horseback, compete in a dressage competition, show off their riding skills in a musical ride or vaulting demonstration.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - 2011
President - Donna Robinson
Treasurer - Bernie Berghout
Director - Victoria Andrew
Director - Louise Webster Pless
Director - Nancy Reid
STAFF
Program Assistant
Paula Rolfe, EC Coach, CTR I, CanTRA Examiner
Rider Co-ordinator
Fiona Kearney, CTR I, EC English Instructor
Office Administrator
Ginette Sheen
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Fiona Kearney CTR I, EC English Instructor
Instructors
Chrissy Amel CTR II
Lise Dust CTR AI
Kara Edwards EC English Instructor
Fiona Kearney CTR I, EC English Instructor
Lana Lotan CTR II
France Lalibert CTR II
Paula Rolfe CTR I, EC Coach, CanTRA Examiner
Stable Staff
Denise Lajoie
Donna Kelly
Elisha Snyder
Erin Godfrey
Consultant Physiotherapists
Jacquie Levy BScPT and Wendy Sarsons BScPT, www.actionpotentialrehab.net
Special Advisor
Lelia Sponsel, Founder of TROtt (1982), CanTRA Coach, Honourary life member of CanTRA (1991)
In 1975, a group of riders at an Ottawa stable became interested in forming a riding group for People with Disabilities. Lelia Sponsel, having made enquiries from the Toronto-area group, CARD, began to develop ideas regarding procedure, forms, volunteers, training of horses, equipment and the need to involve the medical profession. The main support came from Dr. McIntyre, orthopedic surgeon at CHEO, who encouraged the Children’s Treatment Centre to help with the development of the necessary admission forms and selection of prospective riders. A mounting block was built by staff and students of Borden High School. Funds were raised to rent four horses for one hour a week for one year. Volunteers were trained. A Physical Therapist was ready to help guide exercises. Four applicants were accepted, having been granted permission by their physicians and parents. After purchasing riding helmets and pommel straps, the group was ready to start at 9 a.m. on July 4, 1975.
The original 10 Volunteers grew in experience and numbers. They formed an association, called GRAD. The Instructors, Therapists and Volunteers took courses in Toronto and in the United States. There were now three weekly sessions with up to 20 riders. It became apparent that another facility was needed to accommodate the group; thus GRAD moved to Equidae Stables in Greely in September 1982, and became TROtt. Gordon and Nancy Reid, owners of the facility, became very interested in supporting TROtt and making Equidae a centre for therapeutic riding. Over the years, the amenities, the horses, the stable and the tack were improved. The TROtt Board of Directors supported training courses for Instructors and Therapists; knowledge grew and Instructors earned CanTRA certification. Over the years, Lelia Sponsel’s involvement changed. It ranged from President to Program Director; to training Instructors; to TROtt Advisor. “I have enjoyed the challenge, the risk-taking, the learning and, above all, the opportunity to share her sport – riding horses – with so many TROtt riders.”
TROtt provides programming for children and adults with conditions such as cerebral palsy, developmental delay, spina bifida, stroke, head injuries, multiple sclerosis, amputees, sensory integration dysfunction, learning and language disabilities, Downs Syndrome, and visual impairments.
TROtt has CanTRA and Equine Canada certified instructors and coaches, an experienced therapist, trained volunteers and staff. Our very special, well-behaved horses are chosen for their temperaments. They are carefully selected and trained, which enables us to provide a safe, structured, goal-oriented program that includes physical, social, cognitive and educational activities. Our facilities include a heated indoor arena, outdoor sand arena, activity rooms, viewing lounge, seminar room and washrooms.
TROtt supports the Canadian standardization of therapeutic riding instruction and provides in-house preparation for CanTRA’s internationally recognized instructor certification program. CanTRA examinations, coaching clinics and workshops are regularly held at the TROtt facilities. TROtt is a member in good standing of both OnTRA (provincial) and CanTRA (national). TROtt was awarded Bronze Accreditation Status by CanTRA in February of 2010.
Programs at TROtt
While all program activities are truly holistic in nature and engage the rider’s physical, mental and emotional participation, individual requirements and specific goals are met through placement in an appropriate program category.
THERAPEUTIC RIDING
Therapeutic Horse Riding is a global term which embraces all horse-related activities for people with disabilities.
Historically, the therapeutic benefits of the horse were recognized as early as 460 BC and have been recognized as physically, psychologically, socially and educationally beneficial.
Some of the benefits of Therapeutic Horse Riding are an improvement in physical health, relaxation of tight muscles, an increase in balance, building of muscle strength, mobilization of trunk and pelvis, sharpening of hand/eye coordination, improvement in social skills, and a gain of sense of control and self-confidence as the rider experiences a freedom which has often never been felt before.
GROUP CLASSES
Therapeutic Riding is conducted in small groups of up to four riders. Qualified instructors, assisted by volunteers, teach lessons tailored to the riders’ abilities and requirements. Riders are encouraged to develop functional riding skills with a therapeutic benefit.
DEVELOPMENTAL RIDING
Developmental Riding is conducted individually or in small groups. A trained therapist encourages the rider’s movement exploration through a variety of developmental motor, perceptual motor and other sensory and sequencing activities and games.
VAULTING
Remedial Educational Vaulting is a combination of movement, gymnastics and games on a moving horse and is done in small groups or 1:1. It introduces the child to the horse and his movement and can help develop, for example, strength, balance, body coordination, motor planning, communication, confidence and following direction.
OTHER PROGRAMS
TROtt offers a summer camp to riders who are already registered in the program. “Summerfest” is a day of fun where riders play games on horseback, compete in a dressage competition, show off their riding skills in a musical ride or vaulting demonstration.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - 2011
President - Donna Robinson
Treasurer - Bernie Berghout
Director - Victoria Andrew
Director - Louise Webster Pless
Director - Nancy Reid
STAFF
Program Assistant
Paula Rolfe, EC Coach, CTR I, CanTRA Examiner
Rider Co-ordinator
Fiona Kearney, CTR I, EC English Instructor
Office Administrator
Ginette Sheen
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Fiona Kearney CTR I, EC English Instructor
Instructors
Chrissy Amel CTR II
Lise Dust CTR AI
Kara Edwards EC English Instructor
Fiona Kearney CTR I, EC English Instructor
Lana Lotan CTR II
France Lalibert CTR II
Paula Rolfe CTR I, EC Coach, CanTRA Examiner
Stable Staff
Denise Lajoie
Donna Kelly
Elisha Snyder
Erin Godfrey
Consultant Physiotherapists
Jacquie Levy BScPT and Wendy Sarsons BScPT, www.actionpotentialrehab.net
Special Advisor
Lelia Sponsel, Founder of TROtt (1982), CanTRA Coach, Honourary life member of CanTRA (1991)