Our History
PARD began as a dream ...
Determination, dedication and hard work by countless volunteers have been realizing this dream for many persons with disabilities since 1983.
In the late 1970s The Rev. Bagot King-Edwards and his wife, Hope, themselves avid horse people, heard of riding programs being offered for persons with disabilities and, although both in their late 70s, decided to make this a project for their retirement. They gathered together friends and held their inaugural meeting in January 1983. Rev. King-Edwards parish, St. George's Anglican Church was the first group to lend financial support.
Hope King-Edwards passed away in 1990 and is fondly remembered for her energy and organizational skills as chief record keeper. Those with a long history at PARD can still see her, shoe box tucked under her arm, ready with extra information on riders or volunteers. Bagot lived well into his 90s and visited PARD regularly over the years.
In the years that followed, and as the program matured, PARD was fortunate to be guided by a Board of Directors whose talents and determination overcame many obstacles. Mr. Tom Lord recruited many of the early Board Members including Norman and Doris Allan. PARD now owned horses and each new recruit began his/her career at the Allan farm - even over-wintering there to save expenses. Norm went on to become a very competent President and Chairman and Doris was our first physiotherapist. Her expertise and advice assured a safe and therapeutically beneficial experience for the riders. Mrs. June Carpenter was the Treasurer from the first days until well into the 1990s.
Anita Earnshaw joined the Board and, in her role as President in 1998, guided us through the bureaucratic nightmare of becoming incorporated. She was succeeded by the very able Marilyn Nornabell who, upon her retirement, passed the reins over to Joanna Primavesi. John Eadie is our current President.
PARD grew from its humble beginnings to become a registered charity in 1986 and incorporated in 1998. In 2006 we changed our name from P.A.R.D. - Peterborough Association for Riding for the Disabled to PARD Therapeutic Riding. We are a member of the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) and the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA).
PARD owes its continued success to a long and distinguished list of volunteers, including our CanTRA certified Instructors, whose time, talents, hard work and dedication make it all possible. Being part of a team who made it possible for persons with disabilities to experience this unique form of physiotherapy and the joy of interacting with our marvelous horses is profoundly satisfying.
As an all-volunteer organization we continue to receive support from the community through fund-raising, donations from service clubs, corporations and individuals and the commitment of our volunteers too numerous to mention.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to all our wonderful horses over the years for their patience, willingness and gentle nature. Our horses are the backbone of the program and without them, we would not be able to continue to operate.
Stillbrook Stables in Keene, Ontario has been our current home since 2002. Here we are fortunate to receive strong support for our program and wonderful care of our horses from Fred, Jeannine and the Stillman family.
