Not Just A Pony Ride

Events, campaigns, grants, sponsorships, donors… there are so many ways to fund your mission! How do you choose what is best for you center?  Edye Godden, CEO of HETRA and Angie Connell, Development Director at HETRA discuss the pro’s and con’s of each including how we use the different sectors of funding to ensure a good foundation for our organization. Find out more about our consulting ser...

What an honor it is to have Amberley on our show, if you know rodeo then odds are you know this wonderful woman!  In this episode, the cool and confident Amberley Snyder shares her story with us and how she has learned to advocate for herself and others along her journey.  Learn more about Amberley and reach out to her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @AmberleySnyder Amberley was born i...

Why are horses such good therapy partners? Several reasons, but this episode focuses primarily on horse movement and how it impacts the rider. As therapists and instructors, we don’t just pick a random horse! We consider movement, conformation and several other factors when selecting a partner for our riders.  Listen to hear Edye Godden, OTR/L, Clinical Specialist in Hippotherapy, CTRI and Sh...

Megan is an active duty military member and a mother to 3 beautiful children.  After experiencing the sudden loss of her son, Megan found herself at HETRA looking for peace. In this episode, Megan shares with us how horses have impacted her life and how she continues to grow with their help.  Kelli Hatzenbueler, mental health therapist, is also here to discuss the types of programmi...

Lauren Taylor grew up around horses. She competed in all three rings as a junior, eventually accepting a working student position in Ireland with Cian O’Connor as a 17-year-old. When that barn closed, she came back to America, where she landed a working student position in Wellington, Florida, with Tori Colvin for the winter beginning her last junior year.  She continued training her horse, S...

In this episode, Kim shares with us her personal and professional growth gained through international travel.  Kim has been lucky enough to travel to several overseas countries with the opportunity to teach and observe other professionals in our industry.  We covered everything from cultural barriers, quality of equine management, differences in class structure, and of course, we talked...

Saebra Pipoly on Mentorship & Education for Instructors On this episode Saebra Pipoly, owner and founder of Hooffalls and Footfalls, busts several myths related to mentoring others and supervising instructors.  She provides awesome tips for both mentors and mentees seeking guidance! Join us to hear Saebra speak on the importance of good mentorship and continuing to educate yourself even a...

Yes, you can mentor a student in this field!  In this episode, I talk with two previous students who completed 12-week rotations with HETRA on their experience.  Marissa, a Doctoral OT student from Creighton University, and Lane, a Masters OT student from Georgia State University, share their journey. We talk everything from day one, training, and onboarding to the last weeks with a full...

Todays’ guest is Lisa Whalen, author, professor and horsewoman.  Lisa shared with our audience a personal journey of healing from an eating disorder and living with depression, anxiety and perfectionism and how horses have helped her to continue to grow and heal. Lisa explains how horses were like a mirror for her soul and how they helped her reflect and connect her mind and body again. Lisa...

In this episode, three long-time HETRA favorites, Edye Godden, CEO, Erin Bevington, COO and Katherine Smith, Project Manager, speak on growing our organization from one participant and a handful of volunteers to a flourishing business.  Together, their 60+ years of experience with HETRA provide invaluable insight and advice. They talk about all the big transitions HETRA has gone through and t...

In this episode, one of HETRA’s first team members, Katherine Smith, talks with us about HETRA’s foundational programs, Adaptive Riding and Therapy Services.  We break down the differences and similarities between the two programs a well as how they overlap and work together.  How can therapists and instructors work together to help our participants the most? How can these programs creat...

In the last part of this two part series, Kathy Alm, CEO of PATH Intl. talks about what her organization has to offer it’s members, including some exciting changes and new offerings only from PATH Intl.  Listen to hear more about some hot topics in our profession and how PATH Intl is helping to advocate for us!  Be sure and listen to last weeks episode, PART ONE:  A Journey to CEO w...

In part one of this two-part series, Kathy Alm talks to us about her journey to becoming CEO of PATH Intl.  I asked her about personal and professional development and she shared a wealth of knowledge with us.  Join us to hear the highs and lows of being a CEO as well as tips from her to stay successful! Kathy Alm began her service as Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Associati...

In this episode, we pin down the busy, Shelby Winnail, HETRA’s Equine Operations Manager. Shelby is constantly running around the barn with the responsibility of keeping the HETRA herd, as she so effectively describes it, “happy, healthy, sane and sound”. Shelby completed her animal science degree and has since added Certified Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning t...

In this episode, Kelli Hatzenbuehler, HETRA’s mental health therapist and project coordinator, shares how important mental health is and why horses are such a good partner for working on ourselves. Join us to hear about healthy boundaries, anxiety, energy, and how she uses the horses to teach these powerful skills and more. Kelli is a Combat Veteran of the Army National Guard in the rank of First...

Welcome to our brand-new podcast! For our first episode, Kaiti King sits down with HETRA's CEO, Edye Godden, to talk about the different programs that HETRA has to offer the community and why what we offer our participants is "Not Just A Pony Ride."  Edye started with at HETRA in 1991 as a volunteer, and was made the Executive Director soon after. She was certified as an instructor in 1995, a...