People and Animals Working Together |
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INSPIRATION FOR THE MONTH
Happy people focus on what they have;
Unhappy people focus on what's missing.
~ Anonymous
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CELEBRATE EARTH DAY AND CATRA VOLUNTEERS!
Friday, April 22, 6-8PM at the CATRA farm
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Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month and April 22 is Earth Day?
And CATRA is having an open house to celebrate.
Visit the CATRA farm at 168 Station Road, Grantville, to learn about the activities that CATRA has to offer for the year.
Don’t forget to get your Earth Day bracelet while you are here.
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Activities include:
Meet the Minis
Pet a goat
Read to a dog ... and more
Donations of canned cat or dog food and rabbit or guinea pig food are greatly appreciated.
Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated.
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Thank you to everyone for this year’s wonderfully successful Ryan Gallagher Memorial Bowl-a-thon!! We raised more than $9,000, surpassing our original goal of $5,000.
There were 76 bowlers who enjoyed the competitiveness plus pizza donated by a generous supporter and lots of candy from Hershey Foods. Everyone was a winner with drawings of many donated prizes consisting of stuffed animals, candy, gift certificates and other prizes.
Thank you to event organizers Barb and Candy Dupler for all of your hard work on this event.
We are looking forward to next year to attract many more friends of CATRA.
Watch for the date to put on your calendar!
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WINTER/SPRING LESSONS CONTINUE |
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Spring has finally picked up its head after a long winter’s sleep.
As the days are getting warmer and the flowers are starting to bloom, CATRA’s therapeutic horseback riding lessons are continuing. We welcome interested volunteers to our farm to help with lessons. This time of year, the horses and ponies are starting to shed their winter coats, so volunteers can also help brush them, help feed them and our other animals, and clean their stalls.
To become a volunteer, go to catra.net and fill out a volunteer application. Anyone can volunteer -- age 12 and under with a parent, age 13 and older without a parent, and adults.
Please consider coming outside for the fresh air and becoming active for the animals and CATRA riders.
For more information or questions, text Ben Nolt at 717-649-9822 or email Theresa Moccio at tmoccio@catra.net.
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CATRA SCHEDULES VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Thursdays: April 14 & May 19
6:30-7-30 p.m.
in CATRA's Main Barn
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Calling all new AND returning volunteers!
Consider attending an upcoming volunteer training session to perfect your horse handling skills and learn new ones.
CATRA hosts volunteer general orientation and training programs monthly. New and returning volunteers will find the training topics helpful and informative.
While these programs are not required to begin volunteering at CATRA, they are a great way to learn more about therapeutic riding, CATRA’s history, important skills, and how you can get involved.
Adults -- and teens age 13 and older who have a parent’s or guardian’s permission -- may volunteer. Volunteers under age 13 must be supervised by a parent or guardian.
Here are some upcoming topics to improve your horsemanship:
* April 14: Equipment used in therapeutic riding lessons
* May 19: Key jobs for volunteers
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JOIN THE UNICORN QUEST!
Saturday, May 7, 9-11 a.m. at the CATRA farm
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Children ages 7-11 years and their parent/guardian are invited to join miniature horse Rummi on her “unicorn” quest to discover the magical power of friendship.
Children will experience hands-on learning in horse handling, goal setting, problem solving, and volunteer service. This program is offered free of charge, yet a donation of $ 10 per child is greatly appreciated to support the cost of these equine-assisted learning programs. Limited openings per session.*
For more information or to schedule a customized program for your group, contact Robin at 717-608-7575.
Please note that this is a hands-on, nonriding adventure program.
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KEEP UP TO DATE WITH CATRA’s ACTIVITIES BY CHECKING THE 2022 CALENDAR OF EVENTS!
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SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE UPCOMING
CATRA ACTIVITIES!
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Volunteers needed for Thorncroft horse show
Saturday, May 28, all day, Thorncroft Equestrian Center, Malvern, PA
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Volunteers are needed to attend the Thorncroft Horse Show on Saturday, May 28, to assist selected CATRA riders who are competing in several divisions.
Volunteers leave CATRA at 5 a.m. and typically return by 11 p.m.
For more information, call Shirley at 717-919-4587.
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Mini Lovers Day Camp @ CATRA
Tuesday, June 14-Thursday, June 16
9 a.m.-noon OR 1-4 p.m. each day
For ages 4-14.
Participants will learn and improve upon care and grooming skills, horsemanship, equipment care, general barn management, and other important equine-related skills.
Registration is OPEN now, and space is limited.
For more information or to register, go to:
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CATRA Open Schooling Shows
Saturday, July 2 and Saturday, Aug. 6
@ Twin Brooks Horse Show Grounds
The focus of CATRA Open Schooling Shows is to offer many different types of classes to competitors of many different abilities.
The various classes offer new and accomplished riders fantastic challenges in all types of classes.
The shows are open to both new and experienced riders, and each show benefits the riders and therapy animals at CATRA.
For more information, go to:
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SUMMER MINI HORSE LESSONS
Wednesdays: July 6, 13 and 27
and Aug. 3, 17 & 24; 6-7 p.m.
at the CATRA farm.
These lessons are open to children, teens and adults. (A parent or guardian must attend with children under age 13.) Students will learn care and grooming of the minis, how to use the halter and lead rope, how to lead, and safety skills.
Each lesson costs $10 per person
Please dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes (no sandals). Also, participants will come into contact with dust, dirt and animal dander. If you have allergies, please bring your medication.
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VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS,
WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!
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Winter/Spring therapeutic horseback riding lessons are underway, and we welcome new and current volunteers to our farm.
Also, even when lessons aren't scheduled, CATRA remains a working farm, and our animals need to be cared for and farm chores need to be completed no matter the weather.
If you are planning to come, PLEASE text Ben at 717-649-9822 or email bnolt@catra.net to let us know when you are coming.
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Even if you are not able to volunteer or visit the farm, there are many other ways for you to help CATRA.
By making monetary or in-kind donations, you can still make a significant impact on the programs we provide to the Central Pennsylvania community.
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Thank you for your generosity!
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WE HAVE OPENINGS ON OUR FEEDING CREWS! |
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No matter the weather, our horses, donkeys, dogs and other small animals still need to be cared for.
Each day we have two shifts of volunteers who feed and water and a small evening shift that provides a “snack” (hay). It takes about 90 minutes to complete each shift, and it's a great activity for families and friends to do together.
These are the crews with an opening …
MORNINGS: (8 a.m.-noon)
includes feeding, checking and filling water sources and mixing food for the afternoon feeding.
AFTERNOONS: (2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.)
includes feeding, checking and filling water sources and mixing food for the morning feeding and evening snacks.
Your help with feeding -- even if you can't stay for the whole time -- is very much appreciated.
Contact Ben Nolt at 717-649-9822 or bnolt@catra.net if you have any questions.
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HERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO HELP CATRA ... |
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VOLUNTEER HOURS CAN BE TURNED INTO MONEY
BY EMPLOYERS!
Some companies will pay a lump sum or per hour for the hours one of their employees volunteers. If you work at any of the following companies, check it out! Your volunteer hours can become dollars for CATRA.
Aetna ~ Allstate
BP ~ Exxon Mobil
Gap ~ Glaxo-Smith-Kline ~ The Hershey Company
Starbucks ~ State Farm
TE Connectivity ~ Verizon
Some companies will donate if teams of employees volunteer.
American Eagle ~ Best Buy ~ Kohls
If you know of any other companies that will do this, let us know so we can share that information here!
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KIDCENTS AT RITE AID HELPS CATRA!
Participate in KidCents to round up your purchases at Rite Aid and give the change to CATRA. By participating in KidCents, wellness+ rewards members can round up every purchase to the nearest dollar, giving kids in need a chance for better lives and brighter futures.
We thank you for your participation in helping those children -- and CATRA.
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NEW RITE AID FUNDRAISER ALSO HELPS CATRA
CATRA has partnered with RXfundraising and Rite Aid to establish a fundraising program that earns funds every time a registered participant fills a prescription or shops at their local Rite Aid using their Wellness+ Rewards Number.
The program is free for participants to use, and CATRA will receive funds at the end of each quarter based on the number of prescriptions filled and qualifying purchases that its registered participants make.
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IMPROVED COMMUNICATION IN 2022! |
HELP US GET THE WORD OUT ON NEXTDOOR |
CATRA is now on Nextdoor, the private social network for neighborhoods. If you're on Nextdoor, please recommend us to your neighbors and help get the word out about CATRA. We'd appreciate it!
Thank you!
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Follow CATRA on Facebook and LinkedIn |
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STAY CONNECTED!
For up-to-date CATRA happenings, Like us on Facebook.
You'll receive updates on CATRA's events, needs, rider and volunteer announcements, etc.
Did you know that CATRA is also on Twitter and has a LinkedIn page?
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Our Mission Statement:
CATRA provides quality equine and animal-assisted therapeutic programs to the people of the Capital area.
Our Vision Statement:
To be a center of excellence where equines and other animals enrich the lives of people of all abilities to enhance physical, spiritual, intellectual, mental, emotional, and social well-being through a holistic approach.
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