February 19th - Family Day - Office Closed

February 19th to February 22nd - No Lessons

Volunteer Orientation - Wednesday February 21 @ 6:00

Spring Session Begins - Monday, March 4th

Thank you to all who contributed to the PARDS Christmas Campaign!

You made a difference for our riders and horse partners. Your support raised $5300 to support PARDS programs which was matched at 50% by the Government of Alberta who

for a total of $7950.00 raised!!!

Thank you to:

Rene Blais ~ Carol Balcome ~ Leon Gullickson ~ Donna Durnford

Monique Nadkrynechny ~ Well Master ~ Brandt Tractor Ltd (Staff)

RB Oilfield Hauling Inc. ~ L Daniels & Associates Ltd.

Annonymous

Alvin Beaver

Alvin has been a part of PARDS since 2010 and has participated in both the riding and cart driving programs. He recently returned to riding when he shared with his instructor that he had been going on guided trail rides with friends. When asked if he would like to ride again, he smiled and said, "sure"!

Horses have helped him develop and improve his ability to focus on tasks. He has learned how to harness his cart to a pony and is looking forward to learning how to saddle his horse, Vala. He has enjoyed coming and getting to know her after working with the minis in his cart lessons these past few years.

Alvin's goal is to ride independently but for now has a leader, until he is feeling more confident and unlearns some reining techniques from the cart, that have become muscle memory and relearns the sit up, relax your legs, eyes up, and gentle reins of riding.

Alvin is a very humble, generous, polite and gentle man who wants to enjoy life to the fullest. He has a great sense of humour, with his quick comments in any given situation. One day we were outside in the cart riding the trail and coming back to the yard, I asked him where we were supposed to go, (he had been enjoying the ride so much I wasn't sure if his focus was on the task at hand). He pointed to the barn which was in the opposite direction his horse Frodo thought they were going. I chuckled to myself and said, "Alvin where are we going again?" Again he points to the barn, so I said, "ok, eyes open, take Frodo to the barn". With a smirk on his face and a quick "yup yup", he turned Frodo and we headed for the barn. Personally I think he was more testing me to see if I was paying attention!

After he shared about the trail rides and remembering this time, I felt perhaps it was time for a change for Alvin to once again participate in the mounted riding program and continue to work on his focusing and expanding his riding skills. We can't wait to see where Alvin "takes us" next!

~Sheri Young~ Lead PARDS Instructor CTRII

REGISTRATION

Information and registration

for all PARDS programs is

available on our website at www.pards.ca

For a list and overview of all programs and to register, please click on

Program Information & Registration

Volunteering can be very meaningful and enjoyable,

and in turn may be good for your mental health and wellbeing.

Volunteering can:

• give you a sense of achievement and purpose
• help you feel part of a community
• help you feel better about yourself by improving your self-esteem and confidence
• help you share your talents, learn new skills and create a better work-life balance
• help combat stress, loneliness, social isolation and depression
• help you meet new people, which can help you feel more connected and valued

PARDS had the honour of presenting our Volunteer of the Year Award to Canadian Natural Resources Limited at our Dine & Dance this past November. We have benefited SO MUCH from the support, expertise and enthusiasm of the great people from Canadian Natural Resources that choose to spend their Day of Giving with us. They have completed SO MANY projects like building our goat playground, clearing our riding trails, completing many repair projects, moving our cover-all when we moved and much, much more!

Check out this video showcasing some of the great work by the employees giving back to the community of Grande Prairie. Their teams supported both PARDS and Camp Tamarack. Thank you to the amazing employees for all you do!

Thank you to Canadian Tire Grande Prairie

for choosing PARDS as one of 12 beneficiaries receiving a $3000.00 donation each as part of their

12 DAYS OF GIVING, this past Christmas Season.

This donation supports our therapeutic riding program and the 350+ riders that participate in them!

Facility 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!