PARDS Therapeutic Riding Center

Help us build a community that embraces differences and supports growth and success for all its members.

Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society (PARDS) has been serving the Grande Prairie and Area community since 1984. Over the past 30 years, we have evolved from an entirely volunteer managed program, serving 5 riders and utilizing borrowed facilities and horses to a dynamic staff and volunteer driven organization, inhabiting our own 10,000 sq. ft. facility on 20 acres of land and serving a membership of over 600 individuals and families through a variety of programs. Our current volunteer base consists of over 200 volunteers providing over 12,000 hours of support in lessons, facility maintenance, events, fundraising and governance, these hours are equivalent to 6 full-time positions. PARDS operates year round, 6 days a week from September through May, from 8am to 8:30pm and 5 days a week, from 8am to 6pm through the summer months. A unique alternative to traditional clinical settings, our Therapeutic Riding and Grooming Programs offer personalized sessions with qualified instructors geared to individual need. Our services also include a Life Skills Development program which is targeted toward youth between the ages of 10 and 17 who are experiencing challenges in building healthy relationships, making positive choices and developing a positive self-image. Additionally, we offer summer programming including Integrated Day Camps, Adult Therapeutic Day Camps and partner with Camp Tamarack for their Summer Horse Camp Program.

Mission: PARDS is committed to providing high-quality, innovative Equine Assisted Therapeutic Programs to Peace Country Residents.

Vision: To maximize the physical, cognitive, behavioural and social growth and development for people of all ages and abilities through equine assisted programs and activities.

Aim: To develop a client-centered organization with skills, knowledge and resources that are in keeping with current and innovative therapeutic riding approaches. We are committed to working in partnership with our community to meet these goals.

Belief Statements: We believe in the inherent worth of all people; We believe in the dignity & healing power of horses; We believe all individuals have the right to independence, self-confidence, community presence & involvement; We believe all individuals have the right to access quality supports and services to assist them to achieve independence, self-confidence, community presence & involvement; We believe the community as a whole is strengthened by developing and providing services that enhance quality of life for individuals of all abilities; We believe the development and support for services for individuals with disabilities increases their opportunity to become equal, integrated and contributing members of the community; We believe the community as a whole has a responsibility to support social programs which are able to demonstrate benefits to society.