What We Do

We’ve Pursued the Same Goal Since the Beginning

CATRA offers an opportunity for Capital Area residents from all generations with all types of special and typical needs to establish an atmosphere of support, respect, and health. We come together in an equestrian farm environment offering a therapeutic riding and animal assisted experience to those able to benefit from it.

The Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association (CATRA) is located in Grantville, PA and founded by Ben and Shirley Nolt who began offering therapeutic riding in the Fall of 1985.

How To Help

Meet Our

Staff and Board of Directors

CATRA is a 501(c)3 Non-profit corporation. Our Board of Directors is made up of 8 and comprises various members of our community who want to help make an impact in the world.

Ben Nolt

President/Co-Founder

Shirley Nolt

Lead Instructor/Co-founder

Maiya Harris

Director of Events & Outreach

Cathy Gaster

Administrative Assistant

Jen Beck

Barn Manager

Board of Directors

Ben Nolt, Jr:

President & Co Founder

Executive Secretary (retired)
PA State Horse RAcing Commission
Mark Dietrich:

Vice President

Trident Missile Program
Navy (retired)
Karen L. Wilbert:

Treasurer

CPA, MBA – Principal
Strategic CFO Solutions, LLC
Amy DiNunzio:

Secretary

Editorial Assistant
GoveNetPA, Inc.
Shirley Nolt:

Co-Founder

Therapeutic Riding Instructor
CATRA
Wendy Gardosik:

MPA

Manager Oversight and Supervision
Equitable Network
Carmon Weldi :

Doctor of Physical Therapy
UPMC Harrisburg – Pediatrics
Theresa Moccio:

Past Executive Director of CATRA

Blake

Years Old: 11
Cricket

Years Old: 21
Dale

Years Old: 16
Diehler

Years Old: 18
Kuel

Years Old: 12
Milo

Years Old: 16
Peppermint

Years Old: 20
Phud

Years Old: 19
Red Thunder

Years Old: 20
Samson

Years Old: 10

Our Horses

At CATRA we choose and train our horses to perform with the highest degree of patience, love, and ability.

Meet Our Horses

Take A Step Back In Time

Our History

Since 1985 CATRA has offered an opportunity for Capital Area residents from all generations with all types of special and typical needs to establish an atmosphere of support, respect, and health. We come together in an equestrian farm environment offering a therapeutic riding experience to those able to benefit from it.

Our Mission

CATRA provides quality equine and animal-assisted therapeutic programs to the people of the Capital area.

Our vision is to be a center of excellence where equines and other animals enrich the lives of people of all abilities to enhance physical, spiritual, intellectual, mental, emotional, and social well-being through a holistic approach.

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