Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association

What Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association does

Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association (VTEA) is a registered Canadian non-profit charity founded in 1983 that delivers medically-approved therapeutic horseback riding, hippotherapy, and counselling treatments to children and adults with varying abilities in the Langley/Aldergrove region of British Columbia. The organization operates from a 27-acre facility featuring an indoor arena, wooded trails, and specialized mounting ramps, supported by 12+ therapy horses selected for temperament and a staff of 5 employees supplemented by an extensive volunteer base. Service delivery relies on CanTRA-certified instructors and a co-founder who is both a Registered Physiotherapist and CanTRA Coach and Examiner; the underlying clinical modality uses the multidimensional movement, warmth, and gait of horses to stimulate neuromotor, sensory, and cognitive systems in clients with conditions including cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, autism, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, brain injury, and Down's syndrome.

VTEA's program portfolio spans six core offerings: Therapeutic Riding, Hippotherapy, Summer Camps for children aged 8-16, Equine Facilitated Wellness for mental health and emotional support, the Front Line Heroes program for essential workers, and a Seniors Riding Program. The business model blends fee-for-service program revenue (partially subsidized by government assistance such as BC's At Home Program through the Ministry of Children & Family Development), tiered charitable donations ranging from $10 to $10,000+, $15 annual memberships, and summer camp enrollment. Customer acquisition is driven by community referrals, physician referrals (mandatory for therapeutic riding and hippotherapy), partnerships with healthcare providers and physiotherapists, earned media coverage, and word-of-mouth.

The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by an Advisory Board; leadership includes a President with an IT consulting background, a Treasurer who has served since 2006, and operational roles covering administration, volunteer coordination, barn management, and maintenance. Recognitions include CanTRA's Rhonda Davies Award for Most Outstanding Volunteers, CanTRA's Therapy Horse of the Year Award, and a Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award nomination for COVID-19 pandemic response.

Name

Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association

Legal name

Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association

Website

https://vtea.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association is a registered Canadian non-profit charity, founded in 1983, delivering medically-approved therapeutic horseback riding, hippotherapy, and Equine Facilitated Wellness programs to children and adults with physical disabilities and mental health needs across British Columbia from a 27-acre facility in Langley/Aldergrove.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Aldergrove/Langley

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Client Program Fees: Fees for therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and counseling treatments. Cost varies depending on funding from government assistance programs such as the At Home Program through the Ministry of Family and Child Development.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization raises substantial funds annually through donations to support operations, therapy horse care, supplies, and facilities maintenance. Donation tiers include Noble Heart ($10,000+), Champion ($5,000+), Supporter ($1,000+), Friend ($100+), and Donor ($10-99).
3. Membership Fees: Annual membership running to July 31, priced at $15 annually. Complimentary memberships provided to volunteers completing more than 50 hours in a calendar year.
4. Summer Camp Programs: Yearly summer camps for children aged 8-16 years offering horseback riding, horse care, barn chores, arts and crafts, and games.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association is a registered volunteer-based charity that provides medically-approved therapeutic horseback riding, hippotherapy, and equine facilitated wellness treatments for children and adults with varying abilities. Services are delivered on a 27-acre facility in Aldergrove/Langley, BC, by CanTRA-certified instructors and registered physiotherapists using a stable of 12+ specially selected therapy horses. Programs include therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, summer camps, Equine Facilitated Wellness, Front Line Heroes, and a Seniors Riding Program, all aimed at improving physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Product overview

Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association offers a portfolio of therapeutic equestrian services centered around its core Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy programs. The organization provides a comprehensive range of services including therapeutic riding lessons, hippotherapy treatments, summer camps for children aged 8-16, Equine Facilitated Wellness for mental health support, a Front Line Heroes program for frontline workers, and a Seniors Riding Program. All programs utilize specially selected therapy horses and are delivered by CanTRA-certified instructors and registered physiotherapists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapeutic Riding
• Hippotherapy A physiological treatment used by physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. Practitioners use the multidimensional movement of the horse to stimulate neuromotor, sensory, and cognitive systems, facilitating positive changes in clients with conditions such as cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. Requires physician referral.
• Summer Camps Yearly summer camps open to children aged 8-16 years, offering beginner-friendly horse riding lessons, horse care education, barn chores, arts and crafts, and games. Pricing is inquiry-based.
• Equine Facilitated Wellness (EFW) Mental health and wellness program focused on peace and healing through guided interaction with horses, offering multiple therapeutic approaches for emotional and psychological support. Targets individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and personal development goals.
• Front Line Heroes Program Equine facilitated wellness program specifically designed for front-line workers, providing support and healing opportunities for essential workers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognized in the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
• Seniors Riding Program Program specifically tailored to seniors using therapeutic riding and hippotherapy modalities to improve mobility, balance, flexibility, and overall physical and mental well-being.

Quantifiable outcome

• Clients develop ability to walk independently where previously impossible (e.g., Kimberly Bloom)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• BC Therapeutic Riding Association (BCTRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes use of horse for therapy, sport, and recreation for people with disabilities in British Columbia. VTEA is a member and supporter.
• Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational certification body providing education, certification, insurance coverage, and accreditation for therapeutic riding. VTEA instructors are CanTRA certified.
• Lionheart Veterinary ClinicsupportingOthersDiscounted veterinary services for therapy horses
• Free to Be Equine ServicessupportingOthersDiscounted equine services for therapy horses
• TDK Metro TerminalssupportingOthersGifts In Kind donor providing logistics and transportation support
• Whitehills ConstructionsupportingOthersGifts In Kind donor providing construction and maintenance support
• WaterTecsupportingOthersGifts In Kind donor providing water-related services

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/vtea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/valley-therapeutic-equestrian-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association