About the Nonprofit
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Since 1982, Sunrise has provided therapeutic riding, life skills and recreational programs for children and adults with a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional special needs and disabilities. Sunrise programs embrace inclusion and provide meaningful social interaction among individuals of all abilities. Leveraging the power of the horse and our 102 acre farm environement, our programs encourage a sense of community and help to develop and strengthen emotional and social skills. Sunrise believes every individual should experience companionship, fun, a healthy lifestyle, learning opportunities, and acceptance by peers and the community.
Cognitive Benefits: Riders experience improved communication skills and development of cognitive skills. Some of our Riders have spoken their first words to "their" horse. Riding also helps bild atention and comprehension skills as Riders focus on instructions to complete specific tasks with their horse. the horse is a powerful motivator, helping Riders to gain many transferable skills.
Emotional, Social and Psychological Benefits: Sunrise is a special place where participants can be themselves and feel appreciated and accepted. Participants experience social and psychological benefits such as reduced anxiety an dhyperactivity, sense of achievement and responsibility, control and indepedence, opportunities for social engagement, and improved self-esteem and confidence. The personal connection with the horse, and its gentle movement, are very relaxing and greatly reduce anxious behaviours.
Physical Benefits: For all participants, riding helps to build flexibility, musle tone, balance, core strength, and coordination. The warmth and natural gait of the horse stimulates the same muscles that would be used for walking, in a similar rhythem of movement. Riding is one of the few non-weight bearing recreational activities (the other is swimming), that enable participants to leave their wheelchairs and walkes beind and enjoy complete freedom of movement.
SUNRISE PROGRAMS:
Therapeutic Riding: This is a medically referred equine therapy where Participants attend a once per week riding lesson taught by Instructors certified through the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association and Equestrian Canada. Instructos work with consultant therapists (P.T., O.T., Speech Language) to set appropriate therapy goals. 120 participants weekly.
Adult Life Skills Day Program: This non-riding program fills a great need for young people after finishing high school. Program participants learn to work with horses on the ground including stable management and horse care as well as planning and g rowing a horticulture program with vegetable and flower gardens. The social communinty built into this program is invaluable. 24 participants weekly.
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL): Workfing with horses on the ground, participants work through a series of fun activities to achieve their goals in communication, problem solving, leadership, team building, and other personal development goals. provided by a certified EAL Facilitator. 135 participants annually.
Equine Facilitated Wellness (EFW): Counselling sessions are led by a professional mental-health clinician assisted by a Sunrise Instructor to provide individual counselling using the horse (non-riding) as an important part of the process.
Camp Sunrise: This is a fully inclusive day camp for children and youth with and without special needs where campers do everything together including swimming, riding, farm and nature studies, archery, low ropes course, arts and games activities. Ages 5 through teens. 300 participants annually
Little Breeches: This recreation program held on Saturdays in the spring and fall, introduces children ages 4-7, with and without special needs, to horses, riding, and the farm. 50 participants annually.
Sunrise Therapy Forest: This new emerging forest at Sunrise will provide 20 acres of trails and tranquil therapeutic spaces to be used for all of Sunrise's programs.
