Thursday, March 28, 2024

Dream Catchers: More Than Just Horseback Riding

Dream Catchers provides therapeutic horse riding (Dream Catchers)

WILLIAMSBURG — There are rolling hills, sounds of birds chirping, and 22 acres of property off Fire Tower Road in Toano. But make no mistake, there’s a ton of action, happy families, and a staff of volunteers to lend a hand in creating memorable moments — with none other than horses.

Dream Catchers at the Cori Sikich Therapeutic Riding Center was started in 1993 and has been helping children, families, and veterans with equine therapy from the beginning. A member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Intl), all the instructors are certified in the practice of teaching others to ride.

Originally, the program began by offering equine-assisted therapeutic interventions to children and families. As the children have aged, more people have been exposed to Dream Catchers, and its programs have expanded to include help for veterans, physically and mentally challenged children and adults, and at-risk youth. The team has also tried to answer all the needs of the community, from mental health to physical health.

Multiple studies have proven that horses can provide some of the best therapies.

Horses are the prime therapy tool at Dream Catchers (Dream Catchers)

“There’s so much about the horses, and their sensitive being, that helps people. Being a prey animal, they are in a situation where they look to you to understand and develop a connection. If they can’t connect with you, the prey instinct kicks in. From the moment that we put someone in with a horse, on the ground or on their back, it’s all about developing that connection. Horses are willing to communicate and bond as herd animals. They really enjoy the comfort and energy of others around them,” Dream Catchers Executive Director Nancy Williams said.

For Williams, the dream of starting a specific program for veterans has been realized. Operation Mount Up! is a program for veterans and active-duty military members. The program allows veterans and active-duty military the opportunity to achieve independence, the ability to regulate their emotions, and better communicate with family and coworkers as they reintegrate into civilian life.

“We’re really proud of the way that the community has helped in starting this process. It’s been a team approach. From board members who are professionals in medicine, a veterans committee where we have all branches represented, it’s been a great community collaboration. That was an absolute must but it’s been amazing to see how it’s paid off,” Williams said.

Horses are an important part of Dream Catchers and are put through a rigorous trial period as they are evaluated as potential candidates for the therapy horse program. Each horse’s physical, mental, and emotional skills are tested. The farm has 19 horses on the premises ranging in size.

Many visitors to Dream Catchers are often around horses for the first time. Take Tyler Lundy for example. Lundy has cerebral palsy and has been through his fair share of therapies, however, hippotherapy (horse therapy) has always been something he wanted to participate in. Thanks to a partnership with the York County School District, Lundy’s class visited Dream Catchers and he got the opportunity to ride.

Tyler Lundy shows the joy Dream Catchers brings him (Dream Catchers)

“From day one on the ranch, Tyler has shown a new air of confidence and an even greater determination to be the best person he can be, disability or not. You can tell by the look on his face, this program is now a necessary part of his life,” Jennifer Lundy, Tyler’s mom, shared.

Jenn Daley, Development Director, helps orchestrate the organization’s annual fundraiser, Bridles and Boots. Coming May 20, the event brings attendees to the farm itself. Guests are invited to tour the stables and grounds where they will meet some of the families who are served by Dream Catchers.

For Daley, it’s all about spreading the word about the special place that Dream Catchers is.

“The people that I run into that know about Dream Catchers know that we do horse therapy with kids. What I wish they knew was about all of the different kinds of therapies that we do here and we provide those therapies for everyone. We serve people of all ages with all kinds of disabilities and injuries. We do it for veterans, we do it for at-risk youth, I wish people knew just how much more we do in addition to our work with children. Horses are for everybody,” Daley said.

The evening also boasts a buffet dinner, a screening of the running of the Preakness race, an awards presentation, a live auction of various prizes, vacations, a paddle raise and more. All proceeds from the event are direct donations to Dream Catchers.

Being at the farm every day, both Williams and Daley see firsthand the impact that Dream Catchers is making in the lives of families and veterans every time they come up the driveway. Even on hard days, it’s what brings them back.

“Everyone experiences some sort of therapy by coming here. From our volunteers to our participants and staff, they are here because it’s a therapeutic place to work. We work hard, but there is so much opportunity to reduce stress and find that sanctuary just by being on this property,” Williams said.

Dream Catchers is always looking for volunteers. The organization also accepts monetary donations and offers horse sponsorship opportunities. For more information on Dream Catchers, visit dreamcatchers.org.

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