Her Story
About Sanna
Sanna Roling, with two other women, founded Dreamcatcher Stables 27 years ago after 13 years of pilot projects and has served as its president ever since. The all-volunteer public charity provides therapeutic horsemanship instruction to youth and adults with disabilities who cannot afford such services, with the goal of building self-esteem and helping participants overcome societal challenges. Roling brings 40 years of experience in the adaptive riding industry and draws on her background as a retired special educator with additional credentials in math. She holds an A.B.S in life sciences from Thornton Junior College (South Suburban College), a bachelor's degree in biology from Michigan Technological University, and a thesis master's in organic chemistry from the University of Massachusetts. Her contributions to the therapeutic riding industry have earned her a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Certified Horsemanship Association as well as recognition from the City of Houston, Michigan Technological University, and her community college. Roling attributes Dream Catccher Stables Inc's success to its people-first approach, emphasizing that the program exists for the participants rather than for any individual.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sanna
01What do you attribute your success to?
From the moment you engage with Dream Catcher Stables Inc you are accepted as a person. The fact is we are an organization where people come first. The families of the disabled come and their child are welcomed into a situation where they just are somebody. It's not about me, it's about the program. I am the reason it started but not the reason it continues.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I was taught by my parents to give back without any expectation of reward. Expectations were and are that I will be the very best person I can be. That advice has supported me on my personal quest to work with horses and share my knowledge with others while being an active part of my own family.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Dream your dreams. Seek all the knowledge possible to make those dreams a reality. Know when to change pathways for the health and safety of yourself and your family. Make your decisions based on fact and data as well as gut instinct. Always look forward. Learn from mistakes and grow because of them.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
For Dream Catcher Stables Inc there are several challenges.
1) I'm 83 and have bone cancer. For 25 years I wore all the "Hats" driving the organization. It's time to share those hats with others carefully so that they don't have to deal with the same pitfalls along the 40+ year road. They will have pitfalls but proper sharing of my "hats" will hopefully minimize the same.
2) For the mission to be fulfilled we need a permanent home. That means raising a substantial amount of money, dealing with codes, engineers, laws, and more.
3) Allowing myself to step back and revel in the program accomplishments and people taking up the reins as we go forward.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Support of family comes first thought it often doesn't look that way.
Honesty, ethics, and morals are all critical components of both my personal life and my work.
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