Meet our staff
There are a considerable amount of people needed for our programs to function. On average, three people are directly required to put on just one session for one child. Considering how many participants we serve a week that means a lot of people are involved. Depending on the program, two of the three people involved any given session are either a certified riding instructor and/or a licensed therapist.
All of our therapists are board certified in their specialty (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy) and have received training in hippotherapy treatment principles by the American Hippotherapy Association. Our riding instructors, working with those with special needs, are certified with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.
Leadership & Administration
Milinda Kirkpatrick
Executive Director, PATH Registered Instructor
Jessamyn Farrell
Assistant Director
Carmen Costa
Program Director, PATH Intl. Instructor
Dr. Kelly Coney Pacious
HPOT Program Supervisor, Physical Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist, HPCS Certified Therapist, PATH Intl. Registered Instructor
Rose Ann Putnam
Billing Specialist
Leslie Lytton
Office Manager, PATH Intl. Registered Instructor
Kristen Spencer
Barn Manager / Development Director
Kimberly Deal
Program Director - Conover
Therapists
Dominique Bostic-Arrington
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 1 Therapist
Delane Clark
Physical Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist
Dawn Hancock
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist, HPCS Certified Therapist
Allison Josilin
Physical Therapist, AHA Level 1 Therapist
Ellen Key
Occupational Therapist
Lynne Knox
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 1 Therapist
Carolyn Lindsay
Physical Therapy Assistant, PATH Registered Therapist, Specialization Certification/Developmental Disabilities
Rachel Muolo
Occupational Therapist Assistant, Level 1 Therapist
Colleen Nolan
Speech Therapist, AHA Level 1 Therapist
Susan Pearce
Physical Therapist, AHCB Certified Therapist
Stephanie Piatt
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist
Ashley Seal
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist
Leslie Weatherhead
Physical Therapist, AHA Level 1 Therapist
Riding Instructors
Debbie Cloy
PATH Intl. Registered Riding Instructor
Madison Hood-Bowker
PATH Intl. Registered Instructor, and CHA Level III Certified Instructor
Sarah Lafone
PATH Intl. Registered Riding Instructor
Elisabeth Larson
PATH Intl. Registered Instructor, Mecklenburg Farm Point of Contact/Schedule Coordinator
Verena Stock
PATH Intl. Registered Riding Instructor
Facilities & Equine Staff
Christine Barna
Horse Handler
Jessi Culbertson
Equine Specialist, PATH Intl. Registered Instructor
Rex Culbertson
Facility Manager - Mecklenburg Farm
Cindy Demers
Barn Manager
Barbara DiNicola
Horse Handler
Hayden Lytton
Horse Handler
Destynee Sanders
Horse Handler
Hannah Thompson
Horse Handler
Make your impact today
Your contribution of time or funds to Shining Hope Farms will make a direct difference in the life of a child or adult with disabilities.