Wendy Arthur, Physical Therapist: AHA Level 1 Therapist
Wendy is brand new to both hippotherapy and Butterfly Dreams. She joined Butterfly Dreams as a physical therapist in the Summer of 2008 after receiving her Level 1 Hippotherapy certification. She also enjoy's music, traveling, camping, and gardening.
“While I’ve enjoyed the articles that I've read about hippotherapy over the years, I’m not sure I ever thought it was really possible for me to be part of it. At age 55, I can see starting hippotherapy a bit younger would have some advantages! On the other hand, my doctor will be pleased at the increased activity level. I am divorced and the mother of 2 adult girls. My eldest will be having my first grandchild (a boy) in August and my youngest will start her student teaching in August as well."
Jamie Collins: Barn Manager
Jamie is a senior at UGA majoring in Speech Language Pathology. She first came to Butterfly Dreams Farm as a volunteer in August 2008. By December, she had taken on sharing barn manager duties with Lauren Patterson. Jamie has ridden horses all her life and grew up in the Hunter ring. Two years ago, she decided to try combined training and eventing and has never looked back! When she's not riding or studying to be a Speech Therapist, she enjoys watching movies, shopping, and trying new foods. Jamie is so grateful to have a job doing what she loves most - getting to play with horses everyday!
Amanda Costa: NARHA Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Volunteer Coordinator
Amanda began volunteering at Butterfly Dreams in June 2006 and became the volunteer coordinator in October 2006. She received her NARHA certification to become a therapeutic riding instructor in July 2007 and has been teaching since the Fall of 2007. She currently resides in Athens with her husband Joey, two dogs Missy and Gus, and her new horse Sheba. She enjoys date nights with Joey and traveling overseas together, spending time with their church group friends, and working on training her new horse.
"I first heard about Butterfly in a newspaper article in June of 2006 and jumped in immediately! My dream, ever since I was little was to own my own horse and be able to teach riding to children with disabilities. How neat I thought to be able to do such an amazing thing. I feel extremely blessed to be part of something like Butterfly and love teaching all of my students. I feel like they have a pretty great time out there too, which just makes it so wonderful"
Peggy Curran, Physical Therapist: Hippotherapy Certified Therapist
Peggy has been a certified Physical Therapist for 30 years, a pediatric PT for 10 years, and certified in Hippotherapy for 3 years. Peggy has known Cat Thompson for 15 years and was encouraged to join Butterfly Dreams after it received it's NARHA affiliation about 5 years ago. Peggy specializes in young children with developmental disabilities of all kinds. Her other hobbies include riding horses, paper crafts, reading, hiking, and biking. She lives in Athens with her husband Henry and they have one daughter, Kelly.
Laura DePooter: NARHA Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Laura joined Butterfly Dreams Farm in the Spring of 2008 as a volunteer and received her NARHA instructor certification in the Fall of 2009. She volunteered with All Star Therapy Program in Ramona, OK before moving to Athens. Along with volunteering with the riding program in Oklahoma for several years she has ridden and trained horses for over 10 years. She enjoys helping children feel comfortable and confident around people and horses. In her spare time, she enjoys her two Arabians, reading, and working on her new farm!Lila Ralson, Physical Therapist Assistant: AHA Level 1 Therapist
Lila first heard about hippotherapy during her education as a Physical
Therapist Assistant. She began volunteering at Butterfly Dreams in October
2007 and completed the Level I Hippotherapy courses in June 2008. She has a
black belt in taekwondo and occasionally dabbles in dog rescue, freelance
writing, and community theater. She and her husband Mark have three
daughters: Mary Ruth, Lucy, and Stephanie.
"My 'real job' is at Medical Rehabilitation Systems, an outpatient clinic in
Winterville. I love physical therapy, and hippotherapy is absolutely the
best part of what I do. PT can be hard work, but the horses make it a
pleasure for both the kids and the therapists. It's amazing to see the
progress our patients make in balance, stability, coordination and so many
other areas."