ExTRA (Exhibition Therapeutic Riding Academy)
Why therapy on horseback? The three dimensional movement (back and forth, side to side and rotational) created by a horse’s walk exactly mimics that created through the human pelvis. This exact motion cannot be recreated in any other way. Riding also increases muscle strength, improves muscle tone, increases range of motion and improves hand to eye coordination.
Riding is also beneficial for those with cognitive impairments as it helps increase attention span, provides social interaction, and improves self-esteem.
Lessons are held on Sunday afternoons from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Sonia Koczekan is the director of the program.
Riding is also beneficial for those with cognitive impairments as it helps increase attention span, provides social interaction, and improves self-esteem.
Lessons are held on Sunday afternoons from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Sonia Koczekan is the director of the program.
Sonia Koczekan - Director of Therapeutic Riding
Sonia has been involved with horses for over 50 years. She started off riding Western, leading trail rides and training horses for resale. She switched to English in her mid-20's, taking lessons at a number of different facilities, including Sunnybrook Stables. Sonia has been involved in therapeutic riding for over 31 years, starting out as a volunteer (leading horses and sidewalking with the riders.) She quickly worked her way up to being an instructor. She was certified as a CTRI (Canadian Therapeutic Riding Instructor) in 1985 by the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA). She then qualified as a CanTRA Coach which is the highest level of certification for therapeutic riding instructors in Canada. Sonia has been an examiner with CanTRA since 1991 and has presented seminars and hands-on workshops on all topics related to therapeutic riding. She was a member of the CanTRA Board for 9 years, served on their Certification Committee and was a past Chair and member of both the Competition and Education Committees. She also travels around Ontario on behalf of CanTRA doing site inspections of therapeutic riding facilities for insurance purposes. Sonia has also been involved with the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA) for over 15 years, and a member of their Board of Directors for over 10 years. In her last couple of years, she served as their Vice-president, Membership Chair, Special Events Chair and Chair of Education, all at the same time. She recently retired from OnTRA.
