[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 132 (Wednesday, November 17, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11424-S11425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

      JENNIFER STEENSEN FIELD OF DREAMS THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask the U.S. Senate to join me in 
saluting

[[Page S11425]]

the Jennifer Steensen Field of Dreams Therapeutic Riding Program of 
Granger, IO. This outstanding program provides therapeutic riding and 
driving programs for individuals with physical and mental disabilities 
and children in at-risk situations.
  The program has provided over 2000 hours of horseback riding lessons 
to clients aged two to 80 with disabilities that include cerebral 
palsy, intellectual disabilities, spinal bifida, blindness, ADHD, 
learning disabilities and brain injury. On average, 80 individuals 
participate in this program every year.
  I would like to pay tribute to the dedicated volunteers who make this 
program successful. One such individual is Lisa Quam, who volunteers 
once a week at the stables to share her laughter and love of horses 
with the riders. Matthew Vujnovich of Des Moines is one of the many 
clients who have benefited from the time and talents of the program's 
volunteers. Matthew has autism and Lisa's friendship and guidance with 
the horses has helped develop his fine motor skills, muscles and 
independence.
  I am dedicated to the principles of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act: equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, 
and economic self-sufficiency for millions of Americans with physical 
and mental disabilities. The Jennifer Steensen Field of Dreams 
Therapeutic Riding Program advances these principles and helps clients 
develop critical life-skills. I applaud their efforts and thank them 
for all that they have accomplished.

                          ____________________