The cost of feed, shoes and medical expense continue to be a concern for our horses. These gentle giants provide hours of therapy for children with disabilities. Please help by purchasing a T-shirt. All funds go directly to the care ofour horses, equipmentand scholarships for children.
Dream Walkers Equine Therapy Center (DWETC)began as a
dream in 2009 and received a Certificate
of Formation on September 1, 2011.
What are Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies?
Therapy programs are
designed to meet the needs of individuals as recommended by their health care
provider. Work begins with the use of the rhythmic motion of a horse, which
moves the rider’s body in a way that mimics their own natural gait. The effects of the horse’s smooth
movement and gentle gait send 134 vibrations to the brain and inner ear through
the spinal cord. This interaction with these gentle giants helps increase
muscle control, improve posture and the sensory system. Riders with physical needs will often show
improvement in flexibility, balance, muscle control and strength. The American
Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the American Occupational Therapy
Association (AOTA) recognize these activities as a form of treatment strategy.
How
does it work?
Riding a horse
requires a great deal of coordination and repetition. The patterned movements
that are required in controlling the horse also aid to quicken the rider’s reflexes.
As the horse moves, the rider is constantly thrown off balance requiring that
the rider's muscles contract and relax in an attempt to re-balance. This
reaches the deep postural muscles of the trunk, pelvis and thighs. In addition
to improved coordination and relaxation, riding encourages the activation of
the nerve endings in the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints.
Once a child realizes
what they can achieve, their self-esteem skyrockets! Just think about what it would feel like to walk a 1,200-pound
horse through an obstacle course, stopping and starting when you want to!
Even
though these sessions can be both mentally and physically taxing, the children only
see it as fun; therefore, they have an increased acceptance and drive to stay
on for greater periods of time, increasing their total benefit.
We have been offering riding sessions to children in our communityfor over a year now and have seen some awesome improvements in the children (physically, emotionally and mentally). Their Families are excited with the accomplishments the children are reaching and the fact that the children are having fun doing it is even a bigger bonus.
Check out our web page to see what we are all about. Your support is greatly appreciated. www.dwetc.org
ANNUAL
OPERATING EXPENSES
Insurance and membership $1,400
Feed
$3,912
Hay ($8.50
bale) $7,140
Horse vaccines $900
Farrier
$3,319
Tack $3,300
Education Equipment $1,000
Safety Equipment $2,225
Rider sponsors/scholarships$5,000/year
CAPITAL
EXPENSES
Lighting for arena $5,500
Office/Restroom Facility $14,450
Covered Arena $149,934
Fan blades for arena $29,000
Stables, tack and storage room$105,000
Supporters