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Every time I find myself around our miniature horses (our “minis”), I can’t help but smile. Instant joy. I mean, look at the photo below… There are so many amazing things that happen here at Dreams on Horseback that bring joy to our participants, in addition to hope, healing and peace. This joy is palpable and is also felt by our professional, tireless staff and our dedicated volunteers. We hear and see joy every day. Giggles and laughter from summer campers as they arrive or get ready for a riding lesson. Veterans smiling ear to ear as they are “under saddle” with their favorite horse partner, finding some peace from internal struggles. Squeals from the 1,194 school kids who visited our barn for social- emotional learning programs or vocational training, many touching a horse for the first time. The facial expressions, body language, and twinkle in the eyes of 18-year- old Eli, who is nonverbal and has been riding with us since age 4, express unmistakable joy. Even after all his years in the saddle, Eli’s enthusiasm remains strong. Each week, he arrives an hour early for his riding lesson because there is no place he would rather be than the barn. And then there are our miniature horses - Nick, Sarge, Jimmie and, now, Martin. Turn the page and meet Martin, our newest member of the mini herd. Our services are in demand more than ever, and we are beginning discussions about a new program where we will take our minis out into the community to bring joy to a cancer patient or brighten the day of a family that has just lost a loved one or provide a moment of return to childhood for a senior citizen in a nursing facility.Enriching Lives with Horses www.dreamsonhorseback.org Summer 2026 Board of DirectorsAmy Jo Donohew, Board Chairman Chief HR Officer & Senior Vice President Designer Brands Sean Alexander, Board Treasurer Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer National Church Residences Jessica P. Anderson, Board Secretary President, Anderson Concrete Corporation Angi Bowers Community Volunteer Michelle Ganci Professor of Animal Science, Fresno State Becky Keglewitsch Principal, Prime Retail Advisors Kimberly M. Land, Esq. Bailey Cavalieri LLC Susan Mercurio Intervention Specialist, Dublin City Schools Andrea Meuse Veterinary Technician Bella Vista Equine Veterinary Services John Popelka From Ashes Coaching and Consulting Kyle Sharpe President, Health Care Logistics, Inc. Joy Happens Here - A Word from Our Executive Director It is our honor and privilege to provide these moments. On behalf of our riders, participants, staff and volunteers, we thank you for your help and support in making joy happen here. Every day. Erich Hunker Executive Director
THE “LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER” BOOM WITH ACTIVITY AT DREAMSTherapeutic Riding Camp Military Kids Camp Minis on the Move Brings Learning to the Community Therapeutic Riding Camp offers children a welcoming place to grow through their connection with horses. Adaptive riding lessons and engaging barn experiences help campers build confidence while developing communication, independence, and social skills. Along the way, they create meaningful friendships, discover new strengths, and make lasting memories in a place where they feel valued and included. Military Kids Camp gives children a chance to connect with peers who understand their experience as a "military kid." Through riding, games & team building activities, campers create lasting memories while strengthening resilience - an important trait for children whose lives may be affected by deployment or frequent moves. We are grateful to Darlene Bell and Tri-Village Rotary for supporting this special camp. When we pack the minis into the van to head out to local schools we don’t forget to bring along the joy and learning Dreams is known for. This summer, Dreams on Horseback was proud to partner with KIPP Columbus and Dublin City Schools’ Extended School Year programs, which engaged children with IEPs through meaningful, hands-on equine experiences. Thank you to The Country Club at Muirfield Village Foundation for supporting this impactful program. Dreams on Horseback is grateful for the dedicated volunteer work groups that bring energy and generosity to our farm. We proudly recognize Bath & Body Works, DSW, NetJets, Morgan Stanley, Sherwin-Williams, and Health Care Logistics (just 5 of the more than 20 groups who will support us this summer) for lending their time and talents to meaningful projects that support our work. MEET MINI MARTIN Volunteer Work GroupsWhile his hooves may be little, he has some very big shoes to fill and is ready to step right into the job. With his miniature size, friendly personality, & unmistakable charm, Martin is preparing to bring plenty of smiles wherever he goes. Soon, he will be visiting schools, senior living communities, libraries, community events, and other special places where a small horse can make a big difference. Martin may be new to the team, but he is already learning that Minis on the Move is all about making connections, sparking joy, and reminding people that confidence sometimes comes in a compact package. We cannot wait to see Martin grow into his role, meet new friends, and represent Dreams on Horseback out in the community. Welcome to the herd, Martin! Give Joy This Summer!
Enjoy a film about horse partner PB featuring JennaDREAMS INSPIRES A TRAIL TO SUCCESSToday, Jenna has taken her love of horses even farther. She now lives in Colorado, where she leads trail rides through breathtaking mountain landscapes, sharing her enthusiasm for horses with riders from around the country. Jenna's journey is a testament to the power of opportunity, encouragement, and perseverance. At Dreams on Horseback, we believe every individual has the potential to discover a meaningful path forward, and Jenna's remarkable story is proof that dreams truly can become reality.Success stories often begin with a single opportunity and for Jenna Mickens, that opportunity came when she joined Dreams on Horseback's Dreamcatcher Program at age 16. Like many participants, Jenna faced challenges that made the transition to life after high school uncertain. Through Dreamcatchers, she focused on building vocational skills, strengthening social confidence, and discovering her unique abilities in a supportive environment. What began as a program experience soon grew into something much more. Jenna became a dedicated volunteer at Dreams, eager to learn every aspect of life at the farm. Her commitment, positive attitude, and growing confidence eventually led to employment at Dreams on Horseback, where she continued developing valuable workplace skills while deepening her connection with horses. Working alongside the horses sparked a passion that shaped Jenna's future. Inspired by the equine professionals she worked with each day, she enrolled at Hocking College to pursue a degree in Farrier Science, a course of study in which she developed the specialized knowledge and hands-on skills needed to care for horses' hooves - an essential profession in the equine industry.MAKING A LASTING IMPACT ON DREAMS ON HORSEBACKEvery single day at Dreams on Horseback, we are enriching lives with horses. Our therapeutic riders, veterans and military families, the 1,100 school children who came through our barn doors last year, and so many others find hope and healing through our life-changing programs because of philanthropic support from our community. No gift has a more lasting impact on Dreams on Horseback than one naming Dreams the beneficiary of your estate through a bequest in your will (via a specific amount or a percentage of your estate) or by naming Dreams a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement account (IRA, 401k, 403b).Doing so has no impact on your current or future income or assets, and you retain control over the use of your funds during your lifetime. And, you can direct where you would like your future gift used and for what area or program of Dreams on Horseback that is most meaningful to you. If you are interested in learning more about how you can make a lasting impact on Dreams on Horseback, please reach out to Erich Hunker, Executive Director, at 614-579-5610 or at: erich@dreamsonhorseback.org. If you have already included us in any of your estate plans, please let us know! We would welcome the opportunity to thank you today for the support you are providing us tomorrow, and make sure we know exactly how you would like your future gift used.
Dreams on Horseback Stepping Stone Stables Dreams on Horseback is honored to receive a $200,000 capital appropriation through Ohio's Fiscal Years 2027– 2028 Capital Budget to support critical improvements to our facilities and equipment. This investment will strengthen our ability to serve more than 2,000 participants each year while ensuring the highest level of care for the horse partners who make our mission possible. These improvements will enhance the safety, accessibility, and sustainability of our programs for years to come. Dreams on Horseback extends its sincere gratitude to the Ohio General Assembly for recognizing the value of therapeutic equine services. We are especially grateful to the Franklin County Delegation for its support. Dreams on Horseback Celebrates $200,000 State Capital Investment 1416 Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road Blacklick, OH 43004 Help Create Joy - Give Today