There is one thing that can make my five-year-old son, Ryan, smile about putting on his leg braces—a date with a 1,000-pound girl named Jewell. Ryan met Jewell, an Arab-Morgan horse, at Dream Catchers, a therapeutic riding center set in a 40-acre farm on the outskirts of Conway.

Riding sessions with Dream Catchers’ gentle giants offer therapy for everything from cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy to autism and Down’s syndrome. For Ryan, sitting high in Jewell’s saddle allows him to move freely without a wheelchair and stretch out his tight, tired muscles—not to mention give him a sense of pride as his riding teacher cheers him on. The experience provides me with a sense of relief at knowing that riding time reduces his chance of developing hip dysplasia.

Special needs children often must work hard for even the smallest things, so finding new ways to motivate them can be a challenge. The horseback sessions, tailored for each rider, not only serve as physical and occupational therapy, but also create goals. As far as the mini-equestrians are concerned, however, they are just having fun.
Not often recognized as medical treatment, therapeutic riding programs receive little funding from insurance sources, and Dream Catchers is no exception. The nonprofit relies solely on the dedication of an all-volunteer staff and six horses to serve sixteen riders each session.

Volunteers are always needed. Whether you serve as a side walker, horse guide, certified instructor, or volunteer coordinator, you will walk away with the joy of knowing that your time and efforts have painted a brighter, healthier future for each child. And the smiles and giggles aren’t bad, either.

Dream Catchers Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. (843)504-1914, www.dreamcatcherstrc.org