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Instructors & Staff
TEC is blessed with a great group of staff, instructors and volunteers- together they bring a great set of skills in working with people with a wide range of disabilities, with horses, and with the public to raise awareness of our mission.
All TEC instructors are NAHRA-certified, which requires a field apprenticeship, written and practical eams, and observation by a panel of HAHRA instructors while conducting a lesson.
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Judy Zedonis, TEC's Executive Director: Judy has been the executive director of the Therapeutic Equestrian Center since 2005. She is actively involved with fundraising, fiscal management, program development and oversight for TEC. She manages all aspects of the facility's daily operations, working with students, staff, horses and other members of the community to provide a challenging and safe learning environment that fosters a true interest in what is best for each participant.
Judy is a graduate of UMASS and HCC with degrees in psychology and business. After spending many years in the business world she decided to combine her lifelong interest in horses with a desire to serve her community. TEC was the perfect match. When she’s not at the Equestrian Center, Judy, an accomplished dressage rider, can be found riding her own horse, Kaleidoscope; or competing at Agility Trials with her Australian Shepherd, Chase. |
Nora Britton (instructor & Barn Manager) is a familiar face at TEC. She greets everyone with her warm smile and enthusiastic welcome. It is evident for all to see that she truly loves what she does. Nora started at TEC as a young volunteer and has stayed with TEC through all the years. Her warm, sincere manner has encouraged many a rider both young and old. Her dedication and hard work benefits our riders, horses and TEC. |
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Karen Dahmke (instructor): " I have always loved everything horse; the look, the feel, even the smell! When my youngest son went off to school and I had time on my hands, my friends all said, 'you have to go to this therapeutic riding place that just opened. It would be perfect for you!' I checked it out and fell in love. I loved the horses, the people and the riders. When I witnessed what therapeutic riding could do for people with disabilities and their families I was hooked. I believe so whole-heartedly in the program that I put in well over 1000 volunteer hours over the next 3+ years. That's when I decided to become a certified instructor myself. I received my certification from NARHA in 2005 and I've never looked back!" |
Nancy Karp (instructor) has worked with kids since 1988. She began her career in residential care, working with at risk youth. Nancy has always tried to get kids involved in hiking, gardening and interactions with animals. In 1992 Nancy earned her NARHA certification at the Kellogg Foundation's Cheff Center for Therapeutic Riding. She then worked at the Lutheran Youth and Family Services Community Stable in Zelienople PA, with physically able kids who had experienced emotional disturbance.
Nancy has an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and Behavior, from Mount Holyoke College and has assisted in research on Attention Deficit Disorder, Tourette's, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder through the Structural Analysis Laboratory of Yale Child Study Center.
In 2002, Nancy received her certification from Equine Assisted Growth And Learning Association (EAGALA). Nancy presently teaches at New Directions School in Northampton, and Holyoke Community College. She has worked at the Therapeutic Equestrian Center since 2003. |
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Carol Gosselin (volunteer) has been a horse lover since she saw her first on eon TV at about 5 years old. As a child, she collected model horses and made scrapbooks with pictures of them, though she unfortunately did not have many opportunities to ride. In the past 7 years she has indulged her love of horses through her active volunteer work, both at TEC and at Legacy Farm in Easthampton. She also volunteers as a fence judge for King Oak Farm’s Horse Trials. Carol takes lessons at Tough-E-Nuf Stables in Southampton MA. She also rides some of her friends’ horses and cares for them when her friends are away on vacation.
Carol has been with TEC since it reopened in September of 2005. She had originally met Judy Zedonis at King Oak farm through her volunteering as a fence judge, so when Judy called asking if she would like to volunteer, her love of horses and volunteering made it impossible to refuse, and she has been a loyal volunteer ever since. Her usual duties include tacking, leading, and untacking the horses as well as sidewalking during the lessons, which she is utterly amazing at.
Her favorite things about being a TEC volunteer are seeing how much the riders love riding and watching how much they gain, both physically and emotionally, from riding. She also loves that she can give back to the community while also spending so much time with amazing people, and equally wonderful horses. Check out her blog at http://www.portraitswithhorses.com/blog/ in the archives section under the alias Horse Gal. |
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