A short promotional video from the Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association has gone viral, with more than 500,000 views from around the world in just the past few days.

Jennifer Barnes van Elk, the development officer for the CTRA in Duncan, which provides equine-based wellness programs for persons with special needs, said the video was made from the perspective of Ember, a 10-year old Norwegian Fjord horse that is a long-time member of the organization含羞草研究社檚 therapeutic programs.

The breed is known for its calm and dependable personality and the video touchingly shows how well Ember works with the association含羞草研究社檚 workers and clients. The video含羞草研究社檚 message 含羞草研究社� that everyone is special in their own way 含羞草研究社� has struck a chord with people.

Barnes said the video was inspired by the popular 含羞草研究社淏udweiser Horse含羞草研究社� commercials.

含羞草研究社淭he video, which is from the eyes of Ember with [a young program participant] riding her with the assistance of our workers and volunteers, captures well what we offer here through our programs,含羞草研究社� Barnes van Elk said.

含羞草研究社淭he rider and horse both share the emotions and joys of working and having fun together, which is so much part of what we含羞草研究社檙e doing here. The video was made by Maddie Mahon, a media production student who used to work with us.含羞草研究社�

Barnes van Elk said the purpose of the video is to raise awareness of the association and to also help raise funds for its programs.

She said the CTRA receives no government funding and relies on fundraising to help raise money so that its programs can be accessible to as many who need it as possible.

含羞草研究社淲e were really surprised by how many online hits the video has received since we first released it last week,含羞草研究社� Barnes van Elk said.

含羞草研究社淲e have more than 500,000 so far from countries as far away as Germany and Australia. It makes people both laugh and cry and captures an array of emotions from viewers.含羞草研究社�

Barnes van Elk said the amount received so far in donations as a result of the video has yet to be determined, but funds have started to come in.

含羞草研究社淲e also hope the video encourages local people to volunteer here,含羞草研究社� she said.

含羞草研究社淣o experience is required and we will train you.含羞草研究社�

robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
Like us on and follow us on