Sunrise's Mission Statement:  To develop the full potential of children and adults with special needs through horse riding, therapy, education, recreation, and life skills program, farm related and social activities.

Sunrise's annual, cornerstone fundraising event, Celebrate Sunrise!, highlights our Program Participants ("Riders") and raises funds in support of Sunrise's multiple programs. Last year's event raised over $90,000 (net) for Sunrise programs thanks to the generous support of our event donors and supporters.  This event is attended by local businesses, Chambers of Commerce, Rotarians, sponsors, donors, MPs, MPPs, and Mayors from the Sunrise communities which include Wellington, Waterloo, Halton,  Dufferin, and Peel regions.

Each year's event includes a served gourmet luncheon in the Sunrise riding arena (decorated for the occasion!), music and video feed of Sunrise Riders, therapeutic riding demonstrations, Live and Silent auctions, and a Sunrise Barn Tour to meet our special therapy horses.

Sunrise's organizational model is supported by Volunteers with a small, core, long-term, certified staff.  Our therapy horses are the backbone of our programs and we simply could not provide our unique programs without them.  Sunrise's Horse Welfare Statement: each horse is checked daily to ensure health & safety; feeding schedules are designed for the unique needs and healthy maintenance of each horse; each individual horse’s needs, mental and physical health, are our priority; they receive ongoing training and exercise for their job in a gentle and supportive manner.

Rider Haley V has been in the Sunrise program since age 3.  She currently participates both in the Therapeutic Riding program and in the Adult Life Skills Program.  She recently wrote the following letter to the Sunrise therapy horses.  We hope you'll agree in the importance of Sunrise's programs in the lives those with special needs.

"Dear Horses,

Thank you for all that you do for us.  Thank you for allowing us to ride on you, it feels pretty awesome.  You make us feel tall and proud.  You are so friendly to be around.  You are smart and curious.  It's nice for people like me.  When I groom you, make your food and clean your stall, it gives me something to do for you in return.  When you put your head down and let me pet you, when you breathe warm air on me, I feel loved inside.  Sunrise horses, thank you for all the suport you give us, and the way you make us feel.  You're pretty special."

Thank you for your consideration!