One Stride at a Time

Jennifer is a therapeutic riding, driving and equine assisted learning instructor. She is a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), PATH Certified Therapeutic Driving Instructor (CTDI), and a PATH Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL). She is also a certified Instructor of Riders with Disabilities (IRD) with Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). Jennifer is also eligible to mentor new PATH Riding or Driving instructors in training. Additionally she is certified through the Polyvagal Equine Institute Optimum Resilience Program.  

Her favorite thing about Harnessing Hope, besides connecting with the people, is seeing the horses thrive and setting them up for success. Her first horse ever, Sugar (pictured with Dana!) has been with her for over 20 years and is a model TR/EAL Arabian! Sonny (pictured above) has been with her almost just as long. All of the horses are unique and special in their own way and she loves to see the bonds with participants that develop! 

Dana was first introduced to therapeutic horseback riding when she worked as a trail guide in high school. Her passion for this activity quickly ignited and brought her to Ohio University Southern where she received her first therapeutic riding certifications. She has been teaching or volunteering in therapeutic riding and equine assisted learning lessons ever since. 

One of her favorite things about Harnessing Hope is that everyone, including the horses, supports each other as they work to achieve their goals and learn that “they can do hard things because” they see and can use the positive qualities that they possess. In addition to teaching therapeutic riding, she is also a high school English teacher and mom who loves when all of her worlds collide in order to bring growth, confidence, and empathy to those involved.