For nearly five decades, Reins of Life (ROL) has been changing lives through the healing power of horses. This nonprofit provides equine-assisted therapy to individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
Every month, more than 450 people take part in programs that help them build confidence, independence, and strength at both the Michigan City and South Bend locations.
At the heart of it all is Dorota Janik, the ROL’s executive director.
“Our programs provide bridges to communication and teamwork between various demographic groups,” said Janik. “ROL helps participants achieve their highest level of independence while overcoming daily obstacles with dignity and happiness.”
ROL’s services span all phases of life.
Always looking to support the entire community and person, ROL has programs that range from K-two group therapy to veterans to aging adults with dementia and Alzheimer's, just to name a few.
“Through improved health and soft skills, many participants can become more engaged members of society,” said Janik. “We use more than 400 volunteers a week and continue to form partnerships with local businesses and schools for volunteer services, gaining friends and supporters.”
ROL was founded in 1978 by an 18-year-old named Valor Sinclair who believed that horses could offer more than just companionship. Sinclair became a certified therapeutic riding instructor and built a program to help people overcome obstacles through riding.
Although ROL started small, borrowing horses and renting arenas, the vision was always big and grabbed Janik immediately.
“I started volunteering in 2007 and fell in love with the mission,” said Janik. “What I saw as a result of the interaction between the horses and the people here immediately made me love it.”
Thanks to generous supporters, ROL found a permanent home when longtime volunteer Nancy Taylor donated the South Bend headquarters in the 1990s.
ROL expanded even further in 2007 with a $2 million donated facility in Michigan City.
Now, with Janik leading the way, they are in the midst of a $2.5 million expansion to add more space, therapy rooms, and new programs.
“Since 2019 we have had a 40% increase in activities, and we are overcrowded already,” said Janik.
For Janik, it’s about more than just growth – it’s about impact.
“We couldn’t be good servants anymore because we had to turn people away for lack of space or not satisfying all their needs,” said Janik. “One of the most exciting things about the expansion is that we are trying to increase the scope of interventions.”
In addition to increasing the size of the areas for horses, ROL also hopes to increase general spacing to provide areas for a waiting room and classes.
“The vision is that when somebody walks through that door of ROL, we will be able to provide more of what they need in partnerships with the community,” said Janik.
Donations and volunteers are always critical at ROL.
“Without our volunteers, we can't function,” said Janik. “Maintaining our current operations also takes a million dollars a year between the two barns.”
Donations are always welcome and go directly toward horse care, facility upkeep, and program expansion. Additionally, community members are encouraged to like ROL’s Facebook and Instagram pages to learn about fundraising events.
To learn more about Reins of Life, please visit reinsoflife.org.