Important Dates

June 10 - PARDS Community Carnival & Cook-Off

PARDS Events

PARDS is excited to be hosting our Kick Off to Summer Cook-Off event in conjunction with our Community Carnival on June 10, 2023!

The daytime Carnival is a fun-filled family event with lots of carnival games, prizes,

Silly String Corral, pony rides and more.

The Kick Off to Summer Cook-Off boasts an array of delectable dishes prepared by local talent including chili’s, BBQ or smoked tasters.

This will be an afternoon of fabulous food, games, activities, raffles, and music.

So gather up your family and head on over for a day of fun!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Hunter's Dream Raffle

Get Your Tickets Here

Community Support

When the community heard of a possible evacuation of PARDS due to the recent wildfires, the outpouring of support was unbelievable. Offers came in to bring trucks and trailers to haul horses, land to use to temporarily house the horses, and so many simply offering their helping hands for anything else required. We truly appreciate the offers of help and the many well wishes.

Rider Spotlight

Desmond has been a longtime PARDS rider. He was first introduced to PARDS at the age of 8, when his school felt he would benefit from the therapeutic program, and from then, he was hooked. Once the school program ended, his parents saw how much pleasure he had when riding and being around the horses and so they signed him up into the program. Desmond has taken some breaks over the years, but the interest and benefits from his therapeutic riding lessons bring him back to PARDS

Now 31 years old, Desmond returned for lessons in September. For Desmond’s lessons he rides with a leader and 2 side walkers, ensuring he has a safe ride that allows him to feel at ease to concentrate on achieving his riding goals. Desmond is working on his balance and core strength along with some fundamental riding skills such as steering, by doing circles and going through different patterns. Desmond’s favourite activity during riding is working on his halts and playing basketball on his horse! Desmond continues to come to PARDS because he loves the relationships he builds with the horses and instructors. Every time Desmond walks into the barn he has a huge smile on his face and is greeting staff and volunteers throughout the barn.

Desmond and his family have been longtime supporters of PARDS, participating in our annual Fund Ride event over the years and were involved in raising funds for our new facility. We look forward to seeing Desmond in the barn for years to come!

Isabelle Kraushar - PARDS Instructor

PARDS Summer Programs

Inclusive Youth Day Camp

Youth Day Camp is open to children between the ages of 6 (as of January 1 of camp year) and 14, of all abilities. Campers spend each day practicing and learning the basics of horse care and horsemanship through activities, lessons and hands-on learning. Youth Leadership activities are also incorporated into the daily camp schedule along with games, group activities and crafts.

Camps run Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Camp Dates:

Week 1 July 3 - July 7

Week 2 July 10 - July 14

Week 3 July 24 - July 28

Week 4 July 31 - August 4

Week 5 August 21 - August 25

For more information and to register

Little Pony Motricity Half Day Camp

Camp is set up with fun activities that incorporate fundamental skills in early stages of development while working with our miniature ponies. Riding, groundwork and horse care skills are all part of the fun and games.

Little Pony Motricity Summer Camp is open to all abilities and offered to children 3 (as of January 1 of camp year) to 7 years of age to a maximum height of 48 inches and 65 lbs. Riders must be able to toilet themselves and be independent from parents/guardian for camp time of 2.5 hours (unless a support aide is in attendance).

Camp Dates & Times:

Week 1 July 17 – 21 AM 9:30 – 12:00 OR PM 1:30 – 4:00

Week 2 August 14 – 18 AM 9:30 – 12:00 OR PM 1:30 – 4:00

For more information and to register

Equestrian Skills Development Camp

for Adult Therapeutic Riders

EQUESTRIAN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CAMP FOR ADULT THERAPEUTIC RIDERS is 4 days filled with fun and learning for campers aged 15+ with a clinical diagnosis. Campers experience the social, recreational and physical benefits that come with a five-day immersion in PARDS’ therapeutic programs. PARDS provides an instructor, a horse and all the necessary tack and riding/driving equipment.

During their day at camp, participants will enjoy activities including riding lessons, cart driving lessons and stable management.

We accept a maximum of 9 campers per week to ensure excellent support for each camper from our staff and volunteer team.

If camper requires a support aide, one must be provide by rider/parent/guardian

Campers do not have to be current PARDS therapeutic riders – the camp is open to community members from ages 15 to adult who have been diagnosed with a physical, behavioural, cognitive and/or social disability. Please contact the office for more information on required medical forms.

Camp Dates & Times:

August 8 – 11 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

For more information and to register

Inclusive Independent Lessons

Independent Inclusive Mounted Riding

Independent Inclusive Mounted Riding Lessons are for anyone aged 7 and older. The lessons are geared toward many skill levels, from therapeutic riders, to riders with basic formal lessons to more advanced novice riders. Lessons are facilitated by qualified instructors, and are designed to help riders become comfortable with riding basics enabling progress. Throughout your session, our goal is to help you progress, perfect your techniques and most importantly, have fun!

Please note:

Riders must be able to ride independently. If there is a clinical diagnosis a Physician’s Medical form must be completed (if not already on file).

Independent Inclusive Cart Driving

Cart driving is an excellent way to access the benefits of equine therapy. Learning to work with and control a horse as the driver of a cart. (vehicle) Cart driving is where a horse or pony is hitched to a wheeled cart and is driven around an arena, an obstacle course, or out on a trail.

Please note:

Drivers must be able to drive independently. If there is a clinical diagnosis a Physician’s Medical form must be completed. (If not already on file)

Lesson Dates & Times:

Lessons are available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings,

Choose between July or August (or both)

Lessons are 45 minutes - once a week

Once registered you will be contacted for available times

Tuesdays July 4 - 25 5:00 6:00 7:00

Wednesdays July 5 - 26 5:00 6:00 7:00

Thursdays July 6 - 27 5:00 6:00 7:00

Tuesdays August 1 - 29 5:00 6:00 7:00

Wednesdays August 2 - 30 5:00 6:00 7:00

Thursdays August 3 - 31 5:00 6:00 7:00

For more information and to register

Supporting Partner

We are pleased to be a proud partner group for the 2023 Cash and Camping Lottery; helping to raise funds for PARDS and other Peace Area charities. To check out the fabulous prizes for this year's lottery please go to www.cashandcamping.com.

Good Luck!

Purchase Your Tickets Here

Our Volunteer Stars

Karla has been a rider with PARDS since 2005. After years of coming for lessons and attending PARDS events, Karla decided to come and volunteer. Karla is always friendly and makes a point make the rounds from office to barn, to talk to staff when she arrives. She began coming in one day a week to clean stalls and help keep the barn clean. While here she would often untack and take horses outside after a lesson, as throughout her years, has become very competent and comfortable around the horses. An opportunity came up when one of our volunteers had to leave for the last month of lessons and Karla was approached to lead in 2 of the morning lessons, bringing her volunteer days to 2! We have enjoyed watching Karla grow over her years riding at PARDS and we can’t thank her enough for now coming to volunteer.’

Sharri, now retired, was looking for volunteer opportunities and we are so happy she found PARDS. Sharri started volunteering in September, Thursday mornings, giving her time to our riders leading in lessons. After lessons, Sharri helps untack the horses and takes them outside which is a big help after a morning of group lessons. Sharri always has a smile on her face and welcomes her riders, making them feel comfortable and confident. The horses she leads and cares for during her time with them, are at ease because of Sharri’s handling of them with knowledge and her easy going, calm nature. Sharri is very outgoing and friendly with staff and the other volunteers and we look forward to having Sharri with us in the future.’

Cheryl has been an amazing volunteer. After watching her daughter ride in lessons Cheryl decided to volunteer. Cheryl began volunteering in November, but we quickly learned of her amazing heart and her lasting smile and laugh are infectious to those around her. Cheryl leads in lessons and has a great connection with her riders that begins the moment they arrive and are greeted with a smile, right into the saddle where the riders and horses trust her. The kids love her, and we so appreciate all she does especially coming to the rescue to help where needed with just one phone call!’

Adrianne began volunteering when she and her 3 children came to a Volunteer Barn Orientation. At the time she wanted to share a volunteer experience with her children and they began helping in the barn one evening a week. A few days later she expressed interest in coming in on her own to help in lessons, as he had time when her children were in school and wanted more interaction with the riders and horses. Adrianne jumped right into lessons, leading and side walking, helping groom and tack horses and is always open to any other tasks she could help with, and is one of the first to jump in when a call goes out for a volunteer cancellation. She was open to other areas of volunteering as well, and she and her family will be volunteering at the PARDS Carnival helping with the games. Adrianne recently sponsored the care & feed of one of PARDS horses, with her children coming up with the idea to volunteer doing extra chores at home to work off the monthly payment. Adrianne herself believes strongly about volunteering in the community and in turn is teaching the value of volunteering to her children. We can’t thank Adrianne enough for choosing PARDS!’

Welcome to Our New Kickboard Sponsor

PARDS would like to thank Cavalier Construction Corp. for their Kickboard Sponsorship for the next 3 years. .

PARDS offers a number of kickboard sponsorship packages.

If you would like more information please contact

PARDS Community Liaison, Shirley McDonald at 780-830-6143 or the PARDS office at 780-538-3211.

PARDS Program Sponsors

Facility Sponsors

PARDS Bus Sponsors

These generous companies provide services or gift in kind donations to help keep our programs and facility running, our herd healthy and our equipment maintained.

Thank you!

Become a Volunteer

Volunteer Registration

If you would like to become a volunteer or attend our Lesson/Barn Volunteer Orientation please fill out the volunteer registration form which can be reached by clicking the link below.