Our Instructors
We look forward to getting to know you.
Pippa Hodge
Coach and Physiotherapist
Co-Founder of Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association
Pippa is a CanTRA Coach and Examiner and a Registered Physiotherapist specializing in Clinical Hippotherapy.
Julie Matjiw
Intermediate Instructor
Julie has been involved showing and training horses for most of her life. She has been with VTEA since 1996 and is currently a CanTRA II certified instructor.
Talented in all areas of horsemanship, Julie’s particular gift is understanding the non-verbal communication between horse and human. Julie has achieved Rider Level 5 Equine Canada Status, and is certified in Equine Massage.
Janette Carr
Senior Instructor and Equine Facilitated Wellness Program Manager
Janette is a registered clinical social worker with her Masters of Social Work from The University of the Fraser Valley specializing in health and mental health. Janette has training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Emotional Regulation Therapy. She has experience using social work practice models of solution focused, task centered and problem solving interventions.
Janette is well aware that horses have greatly contributed to the person she has become and loves to teach others what she has learned from these insightful beings. Janette has always had a dream of giving back to others, the joy of being with horses and other farm animals, especially to those who have never had a chance to spend time in nature with these magnificent animals.
Kim Yawney
Basic Instructor
Kim came to VTEA as a volunteer in August 2008 and in October was hired on as Office Coordinator. In 2010 she started with fill-in teaching for the instructors, got her certification in 2013, and continues to teach now.
Kim has horses of her own and knows how therapeutic they are to her life. The best part of her job is seeing the bright eyes, smiles, confidence and self-esteem that horses bring to riders.
Cynthia Andrews
CanTRA Coach, EC Coach, B.Ed.
Cynthia started horseback riding as a child. She began volunteering for Central Ontario Developmental Riding Program (now PRIDE) in Kitchener, Ontario in 1974. She learned at an early age that horses can improve the lives of people and that each horse has something special to offer.
Cynthia taught Kindergarten to Grade Five and Special Education in the public education system in Ontario and British Columbia for 30 years. She taught English and Therapeutic riding lessons at the facility that she and her husband built and ran in Chilliwack until 2020.
In April 2022, Cynthia started teaching at Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association. She enjoys helping people of all abilities set and achieve goals that improve their lives and the lives of those around them. This includes teaching riders/clients of all ages and abilities, mentoring upcoming instructors and presenting workshops for instructors, instructor-candidates, parents and volunteers.