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
Rex "Rocky" Culbertson
Operations Manager - All Facilities
Kimberly Deal
Program Director - Conover
Patrice Gibson
Development Director
Elisabeth Larson
Program Director – Charlotte location, PATH Intl. Registered Instructor
Leslie Lytton
Office Manager
Dr. Kelly Coney Pacious
Therapy Supervisor, Physical Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist, HPCS Certified Therapist, PATH Intl. Registered Instructor
Rose Ann Putnam
Billing Specialist
Therapists
Delane Clark
Physical Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist
Dr. Amber Costello
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 1 Therapist
Donna Dell
Psychologist, Natural Lifemanship Certified
Dawn Hancock
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist, HPCS Certified Therapist
Claudia Hunter
OTR/L
Lynne Knox
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist
Carolyn Lindsay
Physical Therapy Assistant, AHA Level 2 Therapist, Specialization Certification/Developmental Disabilities
Holly Heller
Occupational Therapy Assistant, PATH Intl. Registered Instructor
Rachel Walker
Occupational Therapist Assistant, Level 1 Therapist
Stephanie Piatt
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist
Ashley Seal
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist
Riding Instructors
Katy Bretz
Instructor
Debbie Cloy
PATH Intl. Registered Riding Instructor
Carmen Costa
PATH Intl. Registered Riding Instructor
Rachel Evans
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
Verena Stock
PATH Intl. Registered Riding Instructor
Kristen VanHoose
PATH, Intl. Registered Riding Instructor
Facilities & Equine Staff
Christine Haas
Horse Handler, RN, BSN, CEN
Jessi Culbertson
Equine Professional
Cindy Demers
Barn Manager
Barbara DiNicola
Horse Handler
Bill Killichner
Maintenance Supervisor - Conover
Alessandra Spinelli
Horse Handler
Hayden Lytton
Horse Handler
Patrick Mize
Facility Maintenance - Mt. Holly
Ronda Mize
Horse Handler
Hannah Mullis
Horse Handler
Karen Niess
Horse Handler
Destynee Sanders
Horse Handler
Laurel Sechler
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.