Mollie
Dream Catchers has been one of the most positive, rewarding, self-esteem building experiences that our daughter has ever been given. Because of the encouragement and praise she receives from the dedicated staff, her confidence has soared! She loves to come to the barn and gets quite upset when she is sick and misses her lesson! While all of her friends are participating in activities she is prohibited from, she is at her “Dream Catchers Nirvana,” feeling quite proud of her accomplishments. Mollie has benefited in body, mind and spirit from her Dream Catchers world! In response to this inspiring feeling, she is now working toward becoming one of the Dream Catchers volunteers. Thanks for giving her the feeling of success and empowerment that only being on top of a beautiful horse can provide!
—Mollie’s parents
Joshua
When Joshua was born in August of 2002, freedom and independence were the wishes of his parents for him. When they brought him to Dream Catchers at the Cori Sikich Theraputic Riding Center in 2005 it was because he had no experience of freedom or independence. Joshua did not walk. He did not talk. He did not use sign language. He could not feed himself. He showed no interest in toys. He did not play or laugh.
Martina, Joshua’s mother says “Somehow I knew if Joshua was ever going to walk or talk, animals would be part of making that happen. I thought being on a horse would give him some freedom.” She was right. “We knew after the first lesson” Martinia says, “that Dream Catchers was the ‘right place’ for Joshua.” Joshua began riding at Dream Catchers, and his tiny body grew stronger. He moved from a wheelchair to a walker. He move from a walker to walking with the help from his service dog. Still, Joshua did not speak.
Martina kept bringing Joshua to Dream Catchers. Week after week from Hampton, Joshua comes for his riding lesson. The physical therapists see the improvements. Everyone sees the joy on his cherubic face. But no words. Until February 20th.
A day like any other day. Almost. Joshua, who had never spoken, got ready to mount. He leaned over toward the horse . . .and then Joshua licked the horse . . .and said Merlin! The horse’s name. His volunteers and instructors were in tears. His mother could not believe her ears. Her son’s first word. At age five.
Emma Jean
Emma Jean Hall is 4 years old and was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome in February 2008. Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a unique neurodevelopmental disorder, which begins to show its affects in infancy or early childhood. A child is born healthy and seems to develop normally. Then between 18 months to 4 years they regress. The child loses speech, purposeful hand use, the ability to walk, swallow and other bodily functions. Intense therapy is required to maintain and improve physical functions. Emma receives speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, aqua therapy, assistive technology therapy and hippotherapy. She sometimes uses braces (AFO’s) and rotation straps to help with walking.
She started at Dream Catchers Spring of 2008 and it has opened up a world of possibilities for her. Therapeutic riding has improved her posture, muscle use, walking ability, core strength and emotional well being. It has reduced her “hand flapping” associated with the syndrome. It also helps her learn “communication” skills through technology with use of a wrist device to talk to the horse. Emma is intellectually capable of understanding what to do on the horse and her love for the beautiful animals is apparent when you see her huge smile as she approaches them. She is physically, emotionally, and mentally stimulated through her riding. It is such a relief for us, her family, to see the continuous progress and joy Dream Catchers has brought to her and her quality of life.
—Emma’s mom
Success Stories
Listen and you will hear the joyful, infectious laughter of children. Look and you will see perfect bliss on each child’s face. Once you see the magic that takes place here, you may never want to leave.
—Nancy Paschall, Executive Director