The mission of Dream Riders is to provide opportunities for people with special needs to benefit from equine assisted activities in a safe environment. The program is designed to use equine-oriented activities for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, emotional and social well being of people with special needs. Through certified instructors, dedicated trained volunteers and specially trained horses Dream Riders opens the doors for the development of hidden potential in the riders who become involved in the program. The riders are challenged in many ways to succeed while having a wonderful time working toward their individual goals. Lessons are based on an educational model in which each individual is taught the unique skill of horseback riding with specialized, adaptive teaching methods. Dream Riders operates year-round offering weekly therapeutic horseback riding lessons to people with special needs and foster children form a local children's home and surrounding area.