Dream Catcher Stables

Teaching people with disabilities to ride and care for horses and preparing them for the Top Hands Horse Show experience: 10 horses helped 19 athletes win 5 belt buckles, 7 second, 9 third, 5 fourth, 11 fifth, and 7 sixth place medals, and 8 honorable mentions. A total of 83 athletes (65 with positive changes) participated in our program (5 were both athletes and volunteers). Program expanded to include two weekdays on a limited scale. Avery's pediatrician informed the family that at her age with her disability most youth are declining in capabilities. Avery however its the rare exception, improving dramatically. Blake now a Junior in College lives on campus completely responsible for himself completing the first junior year term with 2 A's, 2 B's and 1 C. Michael began program this year, has yet to actually ride but from day one has been verbally expressing his wants, needs, and desires in complete on grade level thoughts. Despite the weather challenges we completed the year with 663 lessons.

Cross generation volunteers (95) are the staff that provide for all aspects of Dream Catcher Stables Inc. In 2023 they gave 2,377 hours providing lessons, feeding and caring for our horses. Volunteers include Youth (age 14 and over), Adults, and Senior citizens. In addition to volunteering their time: Teens learn about the world from retired military volunteers. Adults dealing with cancer come to share their skills and be uplifted by the horses, other volunteers, and athletes too. LaCreatia stopped by one day looking for a place to create a program for persons with PTSD and a place to help herself too. She found both and is now working toward her certification credentials with a bright future at Dream Catcher Stables Inc. Nate came to give back and continue his personal recovery from addiction. Since volunteering he has succeeded in attaining the first level credentials to becoming a full fledged counselor. Eric, both an athlete and volunteer is now apprenticing to become a hoof trimmer.

Returning to positive life pathways has two components. At-risk youth from two behavioral group homes come to learn about horse care as well as ride. Their goal is to take life lessons learned with horses and adjust their own thinking so that they can pursue positive life pathways. Begun in January 2022 results are not yet available as metrics. Anecdotally these teenage boys (approximately 80% positive reactions) and elementary to middle school girls (approximately 90% positive reactions) have begun to understand that life is difficult but in difficulty there is positive motivation, acceptance, and reward. Adjudicated youth assist with facility maintenance. This year 6 such students gave 62 hours weeding and picking up litter and/or manure. They leave understanding that doing the right thing is a better choice in life. Success rate for these students stands at approximately 95% choosing to stay in school and complete their education.