Skip to content

Equine Dreams, Inc. Endowment Fund

Established 2013

2015 New LogoEquine Dreams is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that provides Therapeutic Equine Assisted Activities to children and adults with special needs. Our faith enables us to nurture abilities in individuals with special needs. Originally founded in 1996 by a special needs parent, Equine Dreams evolved from a pilot program to becoming a Premier Accredited Center by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH, Intl,). Equine Dreams is unique because they deliver services free of charge to the individuals they serve. Their vision is for all children and adults living with special needs to have a place to experience life-long learning in order to foster independence, regardless of ability and income. They are dedicated to improving independence and quality of life for children and adults with special needs.

Therapeutic Riding uses Equine Assisted Activities for the purpose of contributing positively to the physical, cognitive, emotional and social well-being of individuals with disabilities. Riding participants who come to Equine Dreams interact and learn from one another in a natural environment that is different from the traditional rehabilitative setting.

ed_4Therapeutic benefits are experienced both on and off the horse. For riding participants, evidence based therapy techniques create a three dimensional experience. Movement of the horse mimics the experience of ambulation. Through the multi- dimensional experience, the rider learns functional tasks for weight shifting, balance, and equilibrium. Collectively, new skills serve as building blocks for learning to walk.

Equine Dreams provides therapeutic services to over 100 riding participants per week at its Newark site, and has expanded services to those who reside in group homes, acute care hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Equine Dreams brings services to facilities, and between the dates of January 1, 2015 and December 14, 2015, had delivered miniature horse program bedside therapy sessions to 1,664 children and adults.

ed_6In addition, the Anna Danielson Memorial Trail and St. Andre Bessette Sensory Path was recently opened in 2014. It allows participants to engage in physical activity that uses muscle strength, requires balance, and promotes flexibility in a fun way. Riding a horse on a sensory trail provides 3 dimensional movement, as well as sensory stimulation.

Equine Dreams is proud of its robust team of PATH certified therapeutic riding instructors. Professional backgrounds of the volunteers include physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, mental health, accounting, risk management, public health, and more.

Equine Dreams is also a PATH, Intl. Higher Education Member. Equine Dreams is recognized as one of six internationally recognized centers for higher education. They have programmed a PATH, Intl. Instructor Certification Program through Waubonsee Community College which ends in certification. Equine Dreams believes strongly in the education of our future instructors that will teach at our program and neighboring programs.

For a parent, child or adult living with a disability, the risk of feeling isolated can be an unfortunate reality. There is limited access to services, particularly services free of charge. Equine Dreams provides an opportunity for participants and families to benefit from equine assisted activities and make new connections in in the community. Equine Dreams operates entirely on funds generated by public donation, foundation grants, fundraising, and in-kind donations. They offer their services free of charge so that anyone, regardless of their financial situation benefit from equine assisted activities. The demand is great and the benefits are remarkable.

ed_7

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

Install Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

Install this application on your home screen for quick and easy access when you’re on the go.

Just tap then “Add to Home Screen”

Accessibility Toolbar