A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Dorota Janik

Dorota Janik serves as Executive Director of Reins of Life, Inc., which has two locations, one in South Bend and one in Michigan City. The organization uses equine-assisted services, leveraging mounted programs (therapeutic riding, carriage driving, interactive vaulting), and structured, ground-based interactions with horses to help adults and children ages two and older with disabilities. Disabilities range and can be of physical, cognitive, social, behavioral, and mental in nature.

“Last year our oldest participant was 87 years old,” said Janik.

Janik and her husband, both research scientists, immigrated from Poland to the United States in 2003. After moving around a bit, they settled in Northwest Indiana. 

“I have a doctorate in chemistry and a master’s in science and engineering in chemical technology, so my primary reason for coming to the United States was to become a researcher,” said Janik.

Not long after moving, Janik discovered Reins of Life and immediately started volunteering. Her love for the organization continued to grow, and she became more and more involved. 

“I volunteered so much with Reins of Life that my husband started joking that he needed to make an appointment to talk to me,” said Janik. 

Janik began to envision herself working full-time with Reins of Life, which is what ultimately led her to apply for the Executive Director role. 

“Between having the opportunity to research here and now having the role now as Executive Director with Reins of Life, an organization I’m so passionate about, I feel like I’m truly living the American dream,” said Janik. “I love horses, and I love helping people.”

Growing up in Poland, Janik would often spend her summers and vacations on her uncles’ farm. Her uncles had horses, but they were mainly work horses and not used for therapeutic purposes.

Each month, Reins of Life brings in hundreds of volunteers. 

“It’s very inspiring, very motivational, and very educational as well,” said Janik. “You are able to be surrounded by like-minded, like-hearted people, and that really builds you up. It makes you want to do more, it makes you want to help more, and it makes you feel like you’re part of something so much bigger when you are surrounded by wonderful people.”

In her role, Janik has the opportunity to regularly witness how equine-assisted therapy changes people’s lives.

“I get to witness miracles and how people can overcome hurdles associated with their disability,” said Janik. “Witnessing their progress is so rewarding.”

In addition to witnessing the impact Reins of Life has on those who participate in its programming, she also witnesses Reins of Life’s impact on others.

“When you volunteer or work with Reins of Life, you are focusing on making the most out of your talents and the most out of your time,” she said. “You’re building your character, and you hope to be part of a very big movement of changing a life for the better. My co-workers are wonderful, talented, and have diverse expertise. Together, we are cultivating a tangible difference in people’s lives, which has a ripple effect that’s carried out into the community.”