Dare to Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Center
Why We Exist
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What We Do
Dare to Dream (D2D) provides training and education in horsemanship and therapeutic horseback riding for people with various challenges (physical, mental, cognitive and emotional). Based on input from doctors, therapists, teachers, and parents, the client’s individual activities are designed to complement ongoing therapy and education goals. D2D’s instructor designs and monitors individualized lesson plans for each participant to address their specific needs while they learn and practice the skills involved in horsemanship. Individual goals encourage each client to be the best they can be, on and off the horse.
D2D operates according to the standards and guidelines of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH).
D2D teaches a foundation of skills based on horse care, groundwork and natural horsemanship and horse-back riding. Natural horsemanship is a philosophy of working with horses based on the horse’s natural instincts and methods of communication, with the understanding that horses do not learn through fear or pain, but rather from pressure and the release of pressure. A horse that feels calm and safe with his handler is quick to bond with that person, and the results can be remarkable for the person and the horse.
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Who We Serve
D2D serves children, adults, combat veterans and families. Some special needs served by D2D include autism, developmental delay, ADD, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, speech impairment, emotional, behavior or mental health, at-risk youth, stroke, paralysis, amputee, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and gender issues.
Where We Serve
Why Community Members Support Our Work
The specific purpose of D2D is to help under-served residents of Highland and our neighboring counties have access to equine therapy services. D2D is committed to serving every family, adult and child in our Highland and surrounding community who could benefit from equine therapy. Wellness resources and behavioral health programs in this economically-strapped mountain community are scarce, and many participants require a scholarship program in order to participate. D2D had been a recipient of the Highland County Youth Philanthropy Council grant for the past two years which allowed us to establish a scholarship program for Highland residents. Every therapeutic horsemanship lesson is subsidized by donations so that our participants receive services at the lowest possible fee. Effective preventive services for at-risk youth are needed more than ever. Recreation opportunities for special-needs children and adults are extremely limited. D2D is one solution that makes a difference in those and a myriad of other needs.
The premise of therapeutic riding is that the act of riding a horse provides a positive mental and physical experience that is especially beneficial to individuals with a disability or other challenges. Quality of life, from the simplest of tasks to personal relationships, is improved.
How Volunteers Contribute to our Work:
The specific purpose of D2D is to help under-served residents of Highland and our neighboring counties have access to equine therapy services. D2D is committed to serving every family, adult and child in our Highland and surrounding community who could benefit from equine therapy. Wellness resources and behavioral health programs in this economically-strapped mountain community are scarce, and many participants require a scholarship program in order to participate. D2D had been a recipient of the Highland County Youth Philanthropy Council grant for the past two years which allowed us to establish a scholarship program for Highland residents. Every therapeutic horsemanship lesson is subsidized by donations so that our participants receive services at the lowest possible fee. Effective preventive services for at-risk youth are needed more than ever. Recreation opportunities for special-needs children and adults are extremely limited. D2D is one solution that makes a difference in those and a myriad of other needs.
The premise of therapeutic riding is that the act of riding a horse provides a positive mental and physical experience that is especially beneficial to individuals with a disability or other challenges. Quality of life, from the simplest of tasks to personal relationships, is improved.
How You Can Offer Your Charitable Donations:
How Volunteers Contribute to our Work:
The specific purpose of D2D is to help under-served residents of Highland and our neighboring counties have access to equine therapy services. D2D is committed to serving every family, adult and child in our Highland and surrounding community who could benefit from equine therapy. Wellness resources and behavioral health programs in this economically-strapped mountain community are scarce, and many participants require a scholarship program in order to participate. D2D had been a recipient of the Highland County Youth Philanthropy Council grant for the past two years which allowed us to establish a scholarship program for Highland residents. Every therapeutic horsemanship lesson is subsidized by donations so that our participants receive services at the lowest possible fee. Effective preventive services for at-risk youth are needed more than ever. Recreation opportunities for special-needs children and adults are extremely limited. D2D is one solution that makes a difference in those and a myriad of other needs.
The premise of therapeutic riding is that the act of riding a horse provides a positive mental and physical experience that is especially beneficial to individuals with a disability or other challenges. Quality of life, from the simplest of tasks to personal relationships, is improved.
Contact Information:
Marsha Lunsford
515 Wade Woods Lane
Monterey,
Virginia