As a volunteer, for many years, I have seen so many children and adults be helped by the horses and volunteers at Equine Dreams. I have witnessed a teenager in the pediatric oncology unit of a hospital, talk to a miniature horse, sit up and smile after lying in her bed for several days, depressed and not wanting to talk or move. A boy about eight years old, whose everyday mobility was being pushed in a wheelchair, riding on a horse, supported by a person on either side, with a horse leader and instructor, reached up and pulled leaves off a tree. Veterans with PTSD, who thought suicide was their best next option, bond with a horse and seek help to continue to live. A three-year-old diagnosed with autism, saying his first independent words, "walk on", to his cars after learning to lead a miniature horse. Equine Dreams is the best!!!!!
My son Nicolas participated in the program last year and it was fantastic. Not only did it help him build confidence, but also his doctors and therapists noticed great gains in his trunk control that is typically weakened by cerebral palsy. He has improved greatly over the past year and is now using a walker with moderate assistance. Before he relied on a gait trainer or wheelchair. The riding is also very beneficial to his hip development, which is also impacted by the spasticity caused by the CP. The riding helps keep his hips in proper alignment, according to the doctor we see at the Mayo clinic. The best part is that all he knows is that he loves riding the horse and being with the Equine Dreams volunteers!
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My son has cerebral palsy and is just getting ready to age into the program. We are so excited to begin. We've observed Equine Dreams and participated in the family fun day fundraisers. The people of the organization are what truly make it special. Volunteers like Barb and Windy are just wonderful. It is amazing how hard they work to keep the services for the kids who need them.
I was first introduced to Equine Dreams almost 10 years ago. In the beginning, I was able to serve as a volunteer, but due to career demands, my relationship changed to friend of the organization, legal counselor, and friend. Visiting several times per year has kept me up to date with the growth of the program and the ever increasing level of excellence. It is a privilege of know Sharon Mason, the executive director and founder and her steadfast husband and their family.
Our son, Ethan, has worked at the program during the last two summer. He always came home tired, dirty and very grateful to be in the company of the staff, the other volunteers and the participants.
Equine Dreams is a well thought out & planned organization dedicated to the challenged. It provides an avenue for a sense of both physical & emotional satisfaction, to those who have a more difficult time coping in their day to day lives. Sharon, Windy, Barb, Marilyn ... and all those who volunteer day after day at Equine Dreams to care for the horses & make the program work, should be commended for their dedication. They all have hearts as big as the horses for which they care! Great people! Great program!
Equine Dreams is run by marvelous volunteers who are selfless in their care and concern for others. They work tirelessly, providing not only their time for free, but often funds from their own pockets. Charities like this are what make being a human being worthwhile and wonderful!
When you give ,without expectation of gain in any form ,Faith blossoms. This is evident at Equine Dreams , it is miraculous to witness the volunteers and clients served at this program day in and day out. It brings Faith ,Hope and Charity together in the most biblical form. I'm humbled and grateful to be a part of such a faith based group .
Equine Dreams gave me an opportunity to share a special memory with my disabled daughter that is confined to a wheelchair. Sharon was so accommodating to our family. The volunteers are so helpful and caring. I will never forget our special mother daughter day at Equine Dreams. Equine Dreams offers this special program at no cost to the families, they completely rely on donations to fund this unique program.
The amount of gratitude my entire family has for Equine Dreams is endless. Sharon and her team has dedicated and sacrificed a lot for their establishment and all their efforts haven't gone unnoticed. My daughter has been going to Equine Dreams since she was 3 years old. These volunteers, therapists and fellow parents have shared their knowledge with me and also set a great example of how my family can continue to teach my daughter so she can thrive in this world. They have an extraordinary gift for making us parents feel welcome and to also lend an ear for some much needed support. Every year Equine Dreams gets better and better. I only wish there was more I could do for them because they are the ones who taught me how to be a better parent for my child. That is a gift that keeps on giving! Equine Dreams is wonderful!
Equines dreams is a very special not-for-profit organization. The volunteers are incredibly patient, kind and educated in theraputic riding. This is a place where miracles happen! To see a person begin therapy from a wheel chair to end up walking on their own in a short time is truly amazing. There are so many more miracles to speak of and so many more to come to be in the future. This is one of the very few not-for -profits that is 100% volunteer run as well as 100% proceeds are used for Equine Dreams to continue to give free therapy to many many people. I am so proud of each and every person at Equine Dreams. They give dreams to the people they help.
I started volunteering for equine dreams 10 years ago. I had always loved horses but never had the opportunity to be around them. I also love to help others . Equine dreams is the perfect opportunity to do both. The wonderful people that give their time, resources and talents are all amazing. The benefit that the riders get is phenomenal. I personally have seen a 6 year old that struggles to walk even 4' increase his ability to walk 40' after therapeutic riding last season. Equine dreams is therapeutic for volunteers and all who participate . Barb W
I have volunteered at Equine Dreams since 2006. That makes 6 years. And every year I witness more miracles. Yes, this therapeutic riding center is outstanding. I know that since the late 1990's this center has been in operation helping individuals with special needs. All participants in the program are charged NOTHING for its services. And it is run totally by volunteers from the CEO on down. One miracle is that no participant has EVER paid a fee. Another is that with the same philosophy Equine Dreams grows every year. Another miracle is that Equine Dreams is staffed with highly qualified individuals that want to help people, especially people with special needs. I will definitely volunteer there for a long long time.
Equine Dreams is a wonderful organization with a awesome staff!! My son has cerebral palsy & has been coming to Equine Dreams for several years. I never thought our son would ride horses & he does!! Sharon & her staff are so wonderful with our son. I love the new property & hope it will continue to grow. Thank you Equine Dreams for your time, care & love of children/adults with special needs!!
My 4 1/2 year old son started at Equine Dreams last summer. He LOVED it! Great staff and atmosphere!
My son has been going to Equine Dreams for at least 10 years. This is a great organization. He just loves to go and ride the horses and help care for them.
I have been the treasurer of Equine Dreams for about four years. As a result, I have a unique perspective in watching how the program works. While there is no doubt that the program does amazing things for all different people, it is important to note HOW they do it as. Not a dime that goes into the program comes from charging any of the hundreds of students. It is all donated or earned in fundraising programs. Equinie Dreams also does not pay any employees. Everyone volunteers their time to help all of the people that are helped by our services. It is an amazing group of volunteers and students...filled with love and with hearts as big as the sea!
Equine Dreams is a blessed program. They provide Therapeutic Horseback Riding to children and adults with disabilities at NO charge and they have been doing this for the past, almost, 16 years. I have been with them from almost the beginning, taking on many roles at this charity, from volunteer to instructor to board member and I have seen miracle after miracle. The program is run by volunteers and they provide services to between 70-100 individuals every week. They provide an amazing service to the community and help improve the lives of so many. They all deserve gold stars!