CATRA, the Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association, is a nonprofit organization providing recreational and therapeutic horseback riding to physically- and mentally-challenged people of all ages.  The facility is located at 168 Station Road in Grantville, PA, 17028, just off I-81 north of Harrisburg, PA.

If you know someone who might benefit from these services, they must complete a rider application.  The applicant will need to come for a visit.  Please call for an appointment.  The number is on the application.

Aside from the owners, Ben and Shirley Nolt, the program is run completely by volunteers, who do everything from assisting at lessons to cleaning stalls, mowing grass, and every sort of barn and office work.  We have over 100 riders in lessons every week, each of whom require from 1 to 4 volunteer assistants per lesson.  Our volunteer needs are enormous!  CATRA volunteers work hard, but we have a lot of fun, and we get the satisfaction of doing work that is worth while and fulfilling.  CATRA is a very special place where everyone is accepted equally.

Riders pay a modest fee per lesson, though some are supported by our scholarship fund.  Our expenses are kept as low as possible because most of the work is done by volunteers, but horses still have to eat.  We depend on donations, and we have several fund-raising events every year, especially our CATRA-Thon in October.

CATRA can use your support!

Volunteer opportunities at CATRA:  Please feel free to come for a visit during our regular lesson schedule, or fill out our volunteer application and send it in.

CATRA Wish List:  Maybe circumstances prevent you from volunteering, but you can still help us out.

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