Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities

The Vancouver Division of the RCMP Veterans Association is very proud to sponsor our horse 'Midnight' at Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities. This is a facility that provides horses for therapeutic riding by the disabled. There is a tremendous therapeutic power that a horse instills in a child once that child is on its back. Each one experiences the joy of escaping crutches or a wheelchair and finds independence and freedom on the back of a horse.

From the last picture in the above set, it can be seen that on Saturday there were 38 scheduled to ride and for that week there were a total of 158 or an average 26 per day. Each ride is generally of 30 minutes duration with some up to 45 minutes. About 5 children may come twice each week and the rest are once a week. This reflects the obvious great service that is being provided to the disabled in our community. Most of us are so fortunate that we or our families do not have to avail ourselves of this service. Having said that, perhaps once one becomes aware of this great resource, we may feel inclined to become sponsors or volunteers.

Our own Kathy and Dave Turnbull sponsored a horse at PRDA for five years and have been ardent supporters. The Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities is located at 1088-208 St., Langley, B.C. V2Z 1T4 and can be contacted at phone (604) 530-8717. Volunteers are always welcome; to see all the details, please check out their website at www.prda.ca.