Rein In A Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Center

Perkins School is a premier special education facility providing services to residential and day students between the ages of 5-22. Serving individuals with emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and intellectual challenges. The school has a community based behavioral health center, an adult program, and a child development center. Additionally the school has a therapeutic horsemanship center, which serves students from the school and is open to the community.

Perkins mission is to continue a tradition of leadership and innovation in providing a range of educational programs and human services to meet family and community needs. Perkins unique strength-based approach provides the tools for children, adolescents, adults and families to lead full and enriched lives. Perkins will continue to improve the lives of people at all stages of life from infancy through old age. The Doctor Franklin Perkins School was founded in 1896 in Newton Ma. In 1924 the school moved to it's current location in Lancaster MA. Initially the school served children with developmental disabilities. Under the leadership of Doctor Charles Conroy the focus of who the school served shifted to children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. Today, Perkins provides residential, day treatment and community based services to children and families from all over Massachusetts and neighboring states. The Therapeutic Horsemanship Program was started over twenty years ago. What began as a single program for students at Perkins has blossomed into therapeutic offerings for adults and children as young as two years of age with a broad range of abilities. Our programs range from traditional horsemanship to un-mounted lessons where students develop empathy as they work with the small animals in our Teaching Kindness Program or learn life skills by participating in the Barn Buddies Program that introduces students to the care and management of farm animals. All of the programs allow for personal growth, improved self-confidence, and gains in the student?s self-esteem.