Dream Catchers at the Cori Sikich Therapeutic Riding Center is welcoming Arkansas native Meghan Russell as its new volunteer coordinator.
The organization, which offers therapeutic riding lessons to children and adults with special needs, depends on more than 13,000 volunteer hours annually.
Russell was moved to work with children and adults with cognitive differences based on her experience growing up with a sibling with Downs Syndrome.
She obtained her Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification through an three-month training program at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center in Old Lyme, Connecticut.
From there, she began her career in therapeutic riding at Hearts & Hooves of Sherwood, Arkansas.
In addition to overseeing Dream Catchers 300 volunteers, Russell is also currently working on obtaining an additional certification as an equine specialist in mental health and learning.
Through volunteer efforts, Dream Catchers is able to offer 120 riding lessons a week to children and adults with more than 150 different conditions, including autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and cancer.
Main volunteer areas include horse-leading and side-walking during the therapeutic riding lessons.
Russell resides in Williamsburg.
