Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society
Courtenay, British Columbia
Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society (CVTRS) is a registered non-profit society in Courtenay, British Columbia, that has offered therapeutic riding since 1986. Its website describes it as a fully accredited CanTRA centre serving children and adults with physical, cognitive and behavioural needs, plus youth living with mental health challenges.
- Adaptive therapeutic riding (all ages)
- Barn Buddies program for autistic children ages 5 to 7
- The Stable Program for youth ages 8 to 18
- Atayokan Program for Indigenous youth
- Trail riding
- Children and adults with physical disabilities
- People with cognitive or developmental disabilities
- Children on the autism spectrum
- Youth with anxiety, trauma or ADHD
- Indigenous youth (through school and First Nation partners)
More about this center
About the Program
CVTRS runs therapeutic riding classes Monday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm, from September to June. Riders come once a week for a 40-minute class, and programs run 12 to 30 weeks depending on the program. The society says it serves up to 60 clients.
Adaptive Therapeutic Riding is open to all ages and includes lessons, therapy and trail riding, with support from a physiotherapist or occupational therapist, aides and caregivers. Riders include people with hearing or visual impairments, brain injury, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, polio and developmental delays. Barn Buddies, for young autistic riders, pairs shorter rides with caring for the ponies, with a focus on self-regulation, staying present and safety.
The Stable Program is a 12 to 14 week, curriculum-based program for youth ages 8 to 18 living with challenges such as anxiety, trauma and ADHD. It aims to build respect and accountability and to improve emotional regulation, self-esteem, social skills and focus. The Atayokan Program is a 5 to 6 week introduction to the Stable Program for Indigenous youth, run with Indigenous Education in School District 71 and K'omoks First Nation.
The Horses and Staff
The herd has eight horses: Friday, Layton, Peaches, Hope, Simba, Sarge, Moxie and Brandy. Each goes through ground and ridden training and an orientation to the equipment used in the program.
Hilary Doucette is the executive director. Ashleigh Whitney, a CanTRA Intermediate Instructor, is head instructor and barn manager, and Sharon Friesen and Donna Rennison are CanTRA instructors. The society says its instructors keep their certification current, including first aid.
History
The society began in 1986 at Norwood Stables with a handful of riders, moved to the outskirts of Courtenay in the fall of 1987 and became an independent society in 1988. An administrative complex with an office, physio room and tack room was built in 1995. Pilot classes for at-risk youth and autistic children began in 2003.
Volunteering
Volunteers work as horse handlers and side walkers in the arena and on the trails, help with grooming, tacking up and barn chores, or take on handyman repairs. Each volunteer completes an orientation and ongoing training.
Location
CVTRS is at 4839 Headquarters Rd in Courtenay, BC, on the Exhibition Grounds. The society says riders come from Vancouver Island communities from Fanny Bay to Port Hardy, including outlying islands reached by ferry.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do I sign up?
Complete the Rider Intake Form linked from the Programs page to join the waitlist. Every rider is assessed for suitability, and each program has its own referral process; for the Atayokan Program, contact School District 71 Indigenous Education or K'omoks First Nation.
How much do classes cost?
Classes are $65 each. The society works with funding sources including Jumpstart, KidSport, Autism Funding and school districts, and families who want help with the cost can call 250-338-1968 to ask.
Location
Courtenay, British Columbia V9J 1P2
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.