Dream Catcher Stables Inc

TEACHING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO RIDE AND CARE FOR HORSES; UTILIZING VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE PROGRAM, CARE FOR THE HORSES, MAINTAIN THE FACILITY, AND COMPLETE ALL ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS; SERVING AS AN INCUBATOR FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS SEARCHING FOR LIFE GOALS.

TEACHING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO RIDE AND CARE FOR HORSES AND PREPARING THEM FOR THE TOP HANDS HORSE SHOW EXPERIENCE: 9 HORSES HELPED 16 ATHLETES WIN 1 BELT BUCKLE, 7 SECOND, 6 THIRD, 10 FOURTH, 9 FIFTH, AND 9 SIXTH PLACE TROPHIES AND 2 HONORABLE MENTIONS. A TOTAL OF 55 ATHLETES PARTICIPATED IN THE WEEKEND PROGRAM, 6 OR WHOM WERE BOTH ATHLETES AND VOLUNTEERS. OVERALL PROGRAM INCLUDED 83 ATHLETES WITH 63 OF THEM EXHIBITING POSITIVE CHANGES DURING THE YEAR. ATHLETE/VOLUNTEER BLAKE GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL #42/572 AND WITH JUST THREE COLLEGE COURSES SHY OF HIS A.B.S. HE HAS AN INTERNSHIP IN CYBER SECURITY WITH HIS FORMER SCHOOL DISTRICT. ANOTHER STANDOUT SUCCESS IS AVERY WHO WAS NEVER EXPECTED TO LIVE. AT 10, WITH HER HORSEBACK LESSONS, SHE IS TALKING, CRAWLING, AND LEARNING TO WALK. SHE IS ALSO LEARNING TO SPELL, SING, AND ENJOY BEING PART OF HER FAMILY. WE COMPLETED THE YEAR WITH A TOTAL OF 677 LESSONS DESPITE OVER THREE MONTHS OF WEATHER CHALLENGES.

RETURNING TO POSITIVE LIFE PATHWAYS HAS TWO COMPONENTS. AT-RISK YOUTH FROM A BEHAVIORAL GROUP HOME COME TO LEARN ABOUT HORSE CARE AS WELL AS RIDE. THEIR GOAL IS TO TAKE LIFE LESSONS LEARNED WITH HORSES AND ADJUST THEIR OWN THINKING SO THAT THEY CAN PURSUE POSITIVE LIFE PATHWAYS. BEGUN IN JANUARY 2022 RESULTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE AS METRICS. ANECDOTALLY THESE TEENAGE BOYS HAVE BEGUN TO UNDERSTAND THAT LIFE IS DIFFICULT BUT IN DIFFICULTY THERE IS POSITIVE MOTIVATION, ACCEPTANCE, AND REWARD. ADJUDICATED YOUTH ASSIST WITH FACILITY MAINTENANCE. THIS YEAR 5 SUCH STUDENTS GAVE 48 HOURS WEEDING AND PICKING UP LITTER. THEY LEAVE UNDERSTANDING THAT DOING THE RIGHT THING IS A BETTER CHOICE IN LIFE. SUCCESS RATE FOR THESE STUDENTS STANDS AT ~95% CHOOSING TO STAY IN SCHOOL AND COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION.

CROSS GENERATIONAL VOLUNTEERS (103) ARE THE STAFF THAT PROVIDE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF DREAM CATCHER STABLES INC. IN 2022 THEY GAVE 3,624 HOURS PROVIDING LESSONS, FEEDING AND CARING FOR OUR HORSE. VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE YOUTH (AGE 14 AND OVER), ADULTS, AND SENIOR CITIZENS. ANECDOTES INCLUDE: TEENS WHO LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD FROM RETIRED MILITARY VOLUNTEERS. ANNIE WENT OFF TO COLLEGE AND RETURNED TO VOLUNTEER WHILE SHE COMPLETES MEDICAL SCHOOL. YARELY WENT OFF TO COLLEGE RETURNING WITH A B.S. IN SPEECH THERAPY AND, WHILE WORKING, RECEIVED HER M.S. NOW A SPEECH THERAPIST SHE HAS BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS ASSUMING THE CHALLENGE OF IMPROVING OUR VOLUNTEER TRAININGS.