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, PATH, Intl. Equine Specialist

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

Sherri Beckman
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 1

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

Holly Heller
Occupational Therapy Assistant, PATH Intl. Registered Instructor

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

Alicia Newell
Mental Health Counselor

Stephanie Piatt
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist

Kassi Rose
Physical Therapist, AHA Level 1

Ashley Seal
Occupational Therapist, AHA Level 2 Therapist

Wendy Seykowski
Mental Health Counselor, LCMHC

Rachel Walker
Occupational Therapist Assistant, AHA Level 2, PATH, Intl CTRI
Riding Instructors

Katy Bretz
Instructor

Carmen Costa
PATH Intl. Registered Riding Instructor

Debbie Cloy
PATH Intl. Registered Riding Instructor

Morgan Helms
PATH Intl. Registered Instructor

Madison Hood-Bowker
PATH Intl. Registered Instructor, and CHA Level III Certified Instructor

Jill Schwab
CHA Cognitive/Physical Level 2 Instructor

Kristen VanHoose
Physical Therapist Assistant, AHA Level 1, PATH Intl. Equine Specialist, PATH,Intl. CTR
Facilities & Equine Staff

Christine Haas
Horse Handler, RN, BSN, CEN

Bernadette Clemens
Horse Handler

Jessi Culbertson
Equine Professional

Cindy Demers
Barn Manager and Volunteer Coordinator

Barbara DiNicola
Horse Handler

Bill Killichner
Maintenance Supervisor - Conover

Ronda Mize
Horse Handler

Hannah Mullis
Horse Handler

Karen Niess
Horse Handler

Destynee Sanders
Horse Handler

Heather Todd
Horse Handler

Julie Wilkins
Horse Handler