[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23712]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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      JENNIFER STEENSEN FIELD OF DREAMS THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM

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

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