"...you develop a phenomenal relationship with horses, they’re great creatures. It’s just a very, very rewarding experience.”
-Mick, Client & Parent
About Us.
At Equestrian Connection, our vision is to continue to be the highest quality, most accessible provider of equine-assisted therapy programs and services for special needs children and adults. Based on our client feedback, Best Days Happen Here, we remain committed to expanding access to our state-of-the-art 26,000 square foot Lake Forest, Illinois facility for clients with various special needs.
Through best-in-class equine-assisted and other therapies, Equestrian Connection will continue to fill the service gaps that exist in the special needs communities today - throughout the multi-state region we serve.
Our clinically-licensed therapists and skilled instructors, highly trained horses and an exceptional group of volunteers, work tirelessly with community and special needs organizations, special education school districts, volunteer agencies and institutional leaders.
The result is a unique, safe and outcomes based environment for every client’s therapy need - regardless of a client's financial means.
To learn more about Equestrian Connection, how Best Days Happen Here and our programs, view Equestrian Connection programs here.
Proud members of the American Hippotherapy Association.
“As Tank walks, he sways from side to side, just as I would. You know the half an hour a week that I get to ride Tank is the only time I’m walking.”
Our Story
Equestrian Connection was co-founded in 2001 by Diana Schnell, a mother of disabled twins, who experienced the therapeutic impact and benefit of hippotherapy for her twins. As they showed improved stability and strength, Diana witnessed other special needs children and adults improve their social, emotional, and physical functional skills as well.
Since its founding, Equestrian Connection has helped thousands of special needs children and adults from ages 2 years to 105 years, improve their quality of life.
Our 26,000-square foot therapy barn, individual therapy rooms and comfortable viewing room all contribute to a unique, safe, welcoming environment. In addition, an outdoor arena and multiple trails serve clients from more than 70 cities throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and several surrounding states—regardless of their financial standing and ability to pay.
Recently renovated with a grant from the Daniel F. and Ada B. Rice Foundation, the Rice House, located on the property next to the main facility, is used for art therapy, socialization and learning life skills. The Foglia Family Foundation renovated what is now the Foglia House, for a joint venture with Clearbrook.
Learn more by scheduling a visit to Equestrian Connection. Call and schedule your personal tour (847) 615 8696
“
October 2017
Liam said "horse" before he said mom.
Megan, Liam's Mom
Who
Are Our Clients?
We work with people coming from a variety of backgrounds. Listed are some of the diagnosis that we have first hand experience with.
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+ List of Diagnosis
ADD/ADHD, Agenesis of Corpus Callosum, Aicardi Syndrome, Alzheimer’s, Anoxic Brain Injury, Anxiety, Apraxia, Arthrogryposis, ASD, B-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, Bipolar, Canavan Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Chromosomal Abnormality, Cognitive Impairment, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, Craniopharyngioma, Depression, Developmental Delay, Diabetes, DNS Disorder, Down Syndrome, Duchene, Dysgenesis of the Corpus Callosum Dysgenesis, Emotional/Behavioral Disorder, Epilepsy, Familial Dysautonomia, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, FOXG1 Syndrome, Fragile X, Gait Abnormality, GATAD2B Genetic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Hemiparesis, Hemiplegia, Hip Deformity, Hip Dysplasia, Hydrocephalus, Hypotonia, Joubert Syndrome, Learning Impaired, Lennox-Gastaut, Leukodystrophy, Lordosis, Microcephaly, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Myotonic Dystrophy, Neuropathy, Noonan Syndrome, OCD, ODD, Osteoarthritis, Panhypopituitarism, Parkinson’s, PDD-NOS, Polymicrogyria, Prader-Willi Syndrome, PTSD, Pulmonary Hypertension, Quadriplegia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sclerosis, Selective Mutism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Septo Optic Dysplasia, Speech Apraxia, Speech Impairment, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trichotillomania, Tuberous Sclerosis, Williams Syndrome.
Our Mission
Equestrian Connection’s mission is to improve the physical, mental and emotional well being of children and adults with special needs by providing equine-assisted therapy with the use of highly trained horses, licensed and experienced therapists and therapeutic instructors, and an understanding pool of trained volunteers. We also provide other therapeutic services to fill the service voids that address unmet needs. We provide services to all those who need it despite their ability to pay.
