“Being raised with horses, I grew to understand their love and behavior. Most of all, I learned what a horse can bring to a child’s small world.”
Lynn grew up on the outside of Detroit, MI where she learned about horses and grooming from her grandparents who raised, trained and raced Standardbreds. Lynn loved going to the track and watching her grandfather race as much as possible. She learned a lot about life and patience when it came to partnering with twelve hundred pound animals.
When she was about ten years old, she convinced her mom to let her take English riding lessons and attended local shows. The “horse bug” had stuck.
At twenty years old, Lynn had a son who she named Dustin. She did not find out that he had Down Syndrome until he was born; all of the tests performed were negative for abnormalities. The doctors recommended that, because of her age, she should give up her son for adoption. Lynn says she did a lot of crying, being angry, and wondering “why,” as she suspects a lot of new mothers do.
Dustin has fought through many challenges in his short life. He stopped breathing at home, had open heart surgery, medication to keep his heart pumping, multiple ear tubes, RSV, phenomena and bronchitis every year, and genetic counseling. But, Dustin has been her greatest teacher. He is an amazing boy who faces every thing in life with a smile and knows no stranger. We as a society could learn a lot from these kids.
In 2007, Lynn was working towards a Masters Degree in Human Resource Development and Dustin became very ill. He had pneumonia
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Again. He was in an oxygen tent, and on an air tube for a full week.
She had decided to quit her desk job and to follow her dream of running a Therapeutic riding center. Now, as a single mom of 2 boys, the program is expanding to also offer EAP and EAL. Lynn is a big believer in changing your path if you are not happy with your life, and the fact that you are never to old to follow your dream.
Lynn is certified through EAGALA for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Learning, certified as an Equine Special Olympics Coach for the state of Georgia and has a certificate in HorseWork through Strides to Success. Lynn is the lead Therapeutic horseback riding instructor here with over a decade of hands on special needs experience, life long horse experience and also owns and runs the facility. Lynn also has her wilderness first aid through NOLS and certification of Camp Director through American Camp Association
Our students are amazing, and their accomplishments speak for themselves, but we could never run our program without our hard working volunteers and staff! Here are what some of our clients have to say about us!
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Brecht Stables & Dustin’s Place has been an amazing place for my daughter! She loves taking horseback lessons there and has learned responsibility and a love of horses since she started about a year ago. The owner Lynn is wonderful to work with and always goes above and beyond!
Kelly B
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“I started therapeutic riding at Brecht Stables in summer of 2013 seeking help for my anxiety, depression, PTSD, and panic attacks. Medication didn’t seem to help me, and regular therapy just brought my problems back in focus every week, so that they never got better. It wasn’t until I started therapeutic horseback riding with Lynn that things started to click. My anxiety has significantly improved, my depression is much less, and I am down to maybe two panic attacks a year rather than one every week! Thank you Lynn!”
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“Caden loves horseback riding and it has helped him tremendously. I love taking him because Dustin’s place is where we go to focus on Caden’s abilities instead of his disability.”
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“I am so happy to have found Lynn Brecht with Brecht Stables & Dustin’s Place. I was looking to resume hippotherapy over the summer break for my son and have since decided to continue my son’s therapeutic riding a few time per month. My son’s focus has become better since he began over the summer and he is following directions so much better now. They have a beautiful new horse “Tony the Pony” which my son absolutely loves to ride. The facilities are nice and Lynn takes the time out to talk to you about your child and how he’s progressing. If you are looking for a different type of physical/occupational therapy than I strongly recommend researching “Therapeutic Riding” and then contact Lynn. My wife and I are glad we did.”
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“I answered an ad for volunteers in June 2010 for Dustin’s Place. I am so glad I went to check it out. For over a year I came and volunteered with Lynn. Under her diligent leadership, her endearing heart for children, and patience I watched so much growth from the kids that participated. I also learned a great deal from the kids that were in the therapy program. It was truly a rewarding experience for me.”
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