Our History

1982 Sunrise founded

• Started with 5 riders and 3 horses
• Guelph/Cambridge/Kitchener chapter of the national association, Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA)
• Rented facilities for 14 years, and operated seasonally/weather dependent (six different locations, with most moves necessitated by program growth, before the present farm)

1990 Camp Sunrise initiated

• Inclusive summer riding day camp program, for children of all abilities

1996 A permanent farm home purchased

• Facility had indoor riding arena, enabling Sunrise to move to year-round operation
• Located in Puslinch, just 15 minutes from Guelph and Cambridge

1996 to 2000 Extensive improvements made to property for accessibility and safety

• Funded by individuals, corporations and the Ontario Trillium Foundation
• Renovations included creating tack room, viewing lounge / meeting room upstairs and accessible washrooms. Also, improvements to fencing, shelters, etc.

2001 New Activity Room & Offices

• Drive shed renovated into Children's Activity Room and offices

2001 Therapeutic Riding Instructor Training Program initiated

• Only Canadian residential training school
• Student Instructors train at Sunrise from across Canada and around the world

2002 "Little Breeches" initiated

• Introduction to horses for 4- to 7-year-old children (integrated)

2006 "Building Brighter Futures" Development Campaign was launched

• This campaign provided a swimming pool, Marguerite's Farm Discovery Camp Centre, and Accessible Adventure Playground
• Farm Discovery Day Camp initiated for younger children (5-8 years)

2007-2008 Milestones

• Sunrise received National CanTRA Accreditation as a Residential Instructor Training School and Exam Centre
• Sunrise received accreditation through the Ontario Camps Association (OCA)
• Tack Room was enlarged and renovated through the Building Brighter Futures Campaign – Ontario Trillium Foundation grant
• New accessible barn washroom

2010 Developments

• Rotary Children's Nature Project completed
• McDonald's Children's Room completed - Funded by Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada
• Received three-year Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant to hire a Child & Youth Recreation Coordinator and purchase marketing material and technical equipment

2011-2014 Program Expansions

• Personal Support Worker program initiated at Camp Sunrise
• Junior Leader Program initiated at Camp Sunrise to provide more support options for campers with moderate special needs
• 25' Extension to Indoor Arena, funding by UPI Energy LP, to accommodate an improved mounting area
• Paddocks reconfigured, and addition shelters added through Rotary Club of Guelph Charitable Foundation grant

2015-2016 Life Skills Program Development

• Life Skills Day Program initiated, funded through Scotiabank (2015-2018)
• Provided a farm and horticulture-based day program for adults with developmental disabilities
• Construction of garden shed, raised garden beds, picnic pavilion and picnic tables
• Extensive upgrades to Butterfly Gardens; initiation of herb and vegetable garden

2017-2020

• Hosted 35th Anniversary Conference Weekend with 75 delegates from 29 therapeutic riding centres
• First American Hippotherapy Association Level 1 course offered in Canada
• LED lights installed in all buildings for environmental and cost savings
• Successful re-zoning for future residential and respite facility
• Establishment of the Sunrise Therapy Forest
• Arena renovations with new windows, doors, and insulated ceiling through Ontario Trillium Grant

2021

• A new program Mini Moments for ages 8-11 was combined with the existing Little Breeches program (ages 4-7) and made available during weekdays to fill a need for families during COVID
• An Ontario Trillium Grant: Community Building Fund allowed Sunrise to re-employ staff to pre-pandemic hours and to purchase new computers for the Sunrise program

2022

• Sunrise celebrated it's 40th Anniversary!
• An Ontario Trillium Grant: Resilient Communities Fund enabled Sunrise to purchase a tractor the first time in its history
• The Site Plan for the Sunrise Residencel/Respite project was approved by the Township of Puslinch

2023

• The Raw Carrot social enterprise approves Sunrise as their partner to make and sell a variety of frozen soups to the Guelph market area, focussing on those with cognitive special needs and with mental health challenges to work in the kitchen

2024

• The Grand River District School Board participates in Sunrise's Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) program supporting 88 students throughout the summer months
• The Ontario Equine, Education and Employment Program partners with Sunrise to provide stable management training by Sunrise certified staff
• The Provincial Animal Welfare Services officer training through Equine Guelph grows to four weeks of practical training by certified Sunrise staff

2025

• Sunrise hosted The Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) 45th Anniversary National Conference
• The Equine Facilitated Wellness (EFW) mental health counselling program expands to two Registered Clinicians for children and adults
• Sunrise's charitable purposes are approved by the Canada Revenue Agency to incorporate the future Residence / Respite services