VTRA Celebrates National Volunteer Week Showcasing an Unexpected Connection

PRESS RELEASE

Victoria/Saanichton – April 25, 2025

As soon as 40-year-old Cody Brown and 20-year-old Dacian Filipescu start to banter their connection is clear for anyone to see; forged on a love of sports, interest in world events and a ton of humour, theirs is a friendship neither expected.

Filipescu has been riding at the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association for over a decade, but it’s in the last few years, since Brown started volunteering as his side walker that he’s really come into his own. Filipescu has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Spending time on horseback helps him physically and mentally, but it can also be scary, something that isn’t as challenging with Brown by his side.

“He’s tall, which is good because if I fall, he can easily catch me,” jokes Filipescu. Then he gets serious, “It’s like a calming presence that reduces my stress on the horse because I have fallen off a few times and it’s been difficult mentally, so it’s been very helpful to have a friend help me out.”

What started as support at the barn quickly developed into a strong bond. The two spend time together outside of VTRA, whether it’s just hanging out or going to a hockey game.

“Dacian is really smart, so it’s just great having conversations with him. Unfortunately, he’s an Oilers fan, so we have our disagreements,” says Brown, who points with pride to the time he won a bet and Filipescu had to wear a Canucks jersey for his entire ride. “Seriously though, more people should volunteer; it’s rewarding while being here and the connections you make, that’s probably the most important thing for me.”

Volunteer Coordinator, Katleen Chateau, says she’s seen other friendships develop, but none quite like Cody and Dacian’s.

“Their friendship exemplifies the profound impact that volunteerism has on the community,”.  She says VTRA couldn’t exist without volunteers. VTRA relies on about 250 volunteers who help with all aspects of their programs. Katleen says she is constantly in awe of how much time and energy people are willing to give.

“When I have an emergency call out that we need people to fill positions right away, how they just step up. It’s breathtaking!  We have such a strong community.”

Filipescu says having a real friend there makes him more excited to go.  “It makes it easier to do new things and push myself to go harder and go further in developing my riding skills”.  Learning to ride at VTRA has been life changing.

“I think it has made me more comfortable in my own skin. I feel like I have something that I’m good at and it feels great to be good at something”

About VTRA

VTRA is a non-profit charitable organization that uses horseback riding as a therapeutic aid for children and adults of diverse abilities throughout Greater Victoria. VTRA is supported by a small staff and a team of about 250 dedicated volunteers, as well as a dozen horses. Therapeutic riding helps improve the cognitive, physical, and emotional wellbeing of children and adults with diverse abilities. For more information on volunteering at VTRA, please visit https://www.vtra.ca/volunteers.

Media Contact:

Katleen Chateau, Volunteer & Participant Coordinator

778-426-0506

volunteer@vtra.ca

Interviews and b-roll can be arranged.