Lynn Daniels has been one of our most dedicated volunteers for several years and has also worked as our barn manager. Now she is one of our wonderful certified instructors as well. Lynn is a student at Baker College working towards a degree in teaching.





Marybeth Hamilton, certified in 2007, became an instructor because "I was seeking an activity that involved children and animals. What I like best about being an instructor is seeing the riders improve and the smiles on their faces!"




Nancy Heussner, certified in 1996, founded the program in 1997. “I wanted to do something that united my love for human beings and horses," she says. "I had a vision of what it would be like for a child in a wheelchair to leave that chair behind and be on the back of a horse riding through the woods." That vision became O.A.T.S.



Claudine Hildreth, certified in 2002, became involved with O.A.T.S. because "Therapeutic riding gives me the chance to get my horse “'ix' and is a great source of joy in my life. Being able to share my love of horses, while seeing the benefits that it brings the riders is an incredible reward. I was honored to be appointed president of the O.A.T.S. board of directors in 2006."


Beth Pellerito, certified in 2004, attended school to become a special ed teacher. "I was halfway to completing requirements when family responsibilities intervened," she explains. "Now I’m teaching and that’s what I wanted to do. I love it!" Beth's son Nick has been a rider in the program for several years.




Sue Torpey, certified in 2007. After volunteering in the program, "I realized how much I loved coming to O.A.T.S. and seeing the wonderful smiles on the riders faces because of the pure joy that comes from riding a horse," says Sue, who went on to become an instructor. "The thing I love most is seeing the riders overcome their fears and that this therapy really helps riders with all types of disabilities."