The History of CTRC
1980's
CTRC was founded and is Colorado's oldest and largest therapeutic riding program and among the first in the nation.
CTRC becomes a PATH, International Premiere Accredited center.
Name is changed to Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center (CTRC). Premier Accreditation is granted. CTRC moves to High Country Stables on Nelson Road in Boulder. Herd has grown to six, tack is brought in by car for each lesson & first mounting ramp is built.
CTRC moves to Schooley’s Boarding Stable on Highway 36, north of Boulder.
CTRC helps to initiate and develop Colorado Council for Handicapped Horseback Riding, a statewide organization for therapeutic riding centers. CTRC begin a relationship, with Special Olympics, hosting a Special Olympics workshop. CTRC holds its first Ride-A-Thon fundraiser.
CTRC began its Hippotherapy program.
1990's
CTRC moves to a larger facility on Arapahoe Road in Boulder. Cart driving instruction is first offered. Children with disabilities from Takarazuka, Japan come to spend a week at CTRC to participate in therapeutic riding – a tradition that continued each summer until 2003.
CTRC began offering Therapeutic Riding Instructor Training and Certification for national and international candidates.
CTRC holds its first tack sale. CTRC launches its first riding program to serve emotionally disturbed, at-risk youth.
CTRC launched a Capital Campaign to purchase and fit up a property. Until this point CTRC was leasing property. CTRC began hosting the Equestrian Games for the Special Olympics.
2000's
CTRC completed its Capital Campaign for purchase and fit-up and began Phase Two for construction of an indoor riding arena.
CTRC built an indoor riding arena in order to ensure services that were not weather dependent.
CTRC is able to provide classes indoors for the first time in 22 years - quadrupling the number of riders served during winter session. Paint the Pony Annual Campaign launched.
CTRC offers it's first All Abilities Integrated Summer Camp Program.
CTRC creates and implements the Mini Troopers Program, utilizing a specially trained miniature horse and staff and volunteer team to provide therapeutic visits off-site (long-term care facilities, hospices etc).
The book "Robinette" is published - a true story of a friendship formed between two girls and a special pony.
CTRC partners with Children's Hospital and the University of Colorado Health Sciences on a Pilot Study to look at the efficacy of therapeutic riding for children with autism.
CTRC constructs a Sensory Trail allowing participants to explore on horseback, wheelchair or foot, an interactive series of obstacles and special sensory areas. This is the first Sensory Trail of its kind on the Front Range.
2010's
"CTRC, Children's Hospital, and the University of Colorado received a National Institute of Health (NIH) four-year grant to build upon our initial Pilot Study. This is the first NIH grant to study the human-animal bond.
The research project is completed. Initial findings have been very positive and suggest that "participation in a well-defined Therapeutic Horseback Riding program of 10 weeks' duration can demonstrate a significant improvement in several behavioral and physical parameters." Measures of behavior, adaptive living skills, and motor coordination and planning improved statistically over the course of the study.
CTRC begins the implementation of a social enterprise. The culmination of a three-year project examining sustainability strategies, establishing a sustainability plan and the launch and completion of a major fund campaign in order to be able to build the social enterprise.
CTRC celebrates its 35th Anniversary and hosts "A Celebration of Gratitude" honoring all the wonderful individuals who helped to build, nurture, guide, and bless CTRC over the last 35 Years. Circle of Life Pet Cremation Services, CTRC's new social enterprise, is built.
Circle of Life is launched and fully operational. CTRC's labyrinth is built. CTRC begins a partnership with TRU Community Hospice "Horses and Healing Grief".
CTRC entered a new era of leadership with Michele Bruhn becoming Executive Director. Summer programming expanded, staff advanced their PATH International certifications, and Circle of Life Pet Cremation Services hired its first employee.
CTRC received the SureHands Mechanical Lift, a gift from the Matsch family, greatly improving accessibility for riders with mobility challenges.
CTRC expanded programming by launching Hoof to Heart Beats music therapy program, introducing interactive vaulting, and investing in staff development through the PATH International Conference.
2020's
CTRC celebrated its 40th anniversary and emerged stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic through decisive leadership, rigorous health and safety protocols, and strategic decisions that allowed the organization to remain focused on serving riders and securing its future. CTRC also sold its Circle of Life Pet Cremation social enterprise business, choosing to focus all organizational resources on strengthening and growing its mission.
CTRC fully reopened programs following the pandemic, expanded virtual services, and partnered with PATH International consultant Kim Berggren to strengthen program quality and operations.
CTRC continued its post-pandemic recovery, welcomed back Program Director Loraine O'Keefe, rebuilt its Instructor-in-Training Program, and received overwhelming community support to replace a stolen ranch truck.
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CTRC experienced record fundraising growth, expanded its mental health partnerships, hired its first Development Director, Natalee Roeder, and continued building its Instructor-in-Training Program.
CTRC hosted its first horse show since the pandemic, expanded its mental health and instructor training programs, raised over $200,000 through Paint the Pony, and began preparing for its 45th anniversary.
CTRC celebrated its 45th Anniversary, held a community-wide strategic planning summit, strengthened board leadership and governance, expanded services, and continued growing scholarships, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships. CTRC continued to meet the growing needs of the organization through the most successful fundraising year in its history.