In 1985, Pennsylvania residents Ben and Shirley Nolt started the non-profit “Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association” (CATRA) to provide therapeutic horse riding to those with physical and/or mental disabilities.
For four decades, the couple – with the help of employees and 30 volunteers – have been providing hippotherapy to adults and children at their 10-acre Grantville, Pennsylvania Ranch. The non-profit has 20 lesson horses and 25 miniature horses The students all have prescriptions for equine therapy and riding is part of their physical therapy program, and the CATRA staff work closely with the students’ doctors and physical or occupational therapists. CATRA also provides internships for people interested in working in the field of therapeutic riding. To learn more about CATRA and their services, visit CATRA – Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association