Equine Dreams is a not-for-profit organization which provides therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities. Started by a parent of a child with special needs, our program began in 1996 and is today a PATH International Premier Accredited Center and PATH, Intl. Higher Education Member. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and adults with special needs. All services are free to our clients. We have a volunteer staff of 1 PATH, Intl. Advanced Instructor and 5 PATH, Intl. Registered Instructors. Our Advanced Instructor is also a PATH, Intl. higher education task force committee member.
There is a need for therapeutic riding in DeKalb, Kendall, Kane and LaSalle counties which has been confirmed by the immense interest shown in Equine Dreams. In 2010, we provided services to over 80 participants weekly.
Equine Dreams is located in Newark, IL. We were recently blessed with a land donation from Mary Margaret Bieber of almost 15 acres and we are in the process of fundraising to develop that land. We began lessons there in spring of 2009.
Riding programs are available during the spring, summer, and fall on an individual basis, determined by the participant's personal physician, therapist and riding instructor.
The people of Equine Dreams are volunteers:
~Our president is Bill Johnson; secretary Windy Kopecky; treasurer Lenee Kissel, board member Adam Porter, board member Barb Wrobel.
~Program Director is Sarah Herron; Development Director is Marilyn Tebrugge.
~Barn manager is James Russell; Assistant Barn Manager Ken Stallings.
~Grounds Manager is Ron Yockey.
~Our CEO is Sharon Mason.
~Head Instructors are Sharon Mason and Windy Kopecky. Other certified instructors are Sarah Hunt, Barb Wrobel, Ricky Mason, and Aly Josephs. We also have an Instructor in Training Marilyn Tebrugge.
~We have numerous volunteers that help and without them we could not run. If you are interested in volunteering, please click on the "volunteer" link to learn more.
Click on the picture for an informational video about Equine Dreams
Affiliations
We are a PATH, Intl. Premier Accredited Center with a PATH faculty higher education member/ Apprentice Evaluator, Advanced Instructor and Mentor.
