Therapeutic Riding Program for Individuals with Disabilities

Special Equestrians was founded in 1982 by Kathy Quinn using one horse, one rider and one volunteer in a non-handicapped accessible backyard farm. In 1999 we moved to our first permanent home: a state-of-the-art, 28-stall facility with indoor & outdoor arenas, observation room and office space on over 40 preserved acres in Warrington Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Today, we have grown to 11 horses, over 160 active volunteers and 18 staff members.

Our clients collectively face over 60 physical and cognitive challenges—many facing multiple disabilities. They range in age 4-54 and come from all ethnic and socio-economic communities.

We are a proud member center of NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) , giving our community the assurance that we adhere to the highest standards involving the safety of our riders, certification of our instructors and proper maintenance of our facility.

We offer tremendous hope to hundreds of individuals who have discovered the therapeutic benefits of equine-assisted therapeutic activities.

To learn more about our program, please click on “Our Program” or, contact us at
(215) 918-1001 or via email at specialeques@verizon.net.

To learn more about NARHA, please visit their website at: www.narha.org
 

OUR STAFF

Tammy Westney
Executive Director                            

Tracey Dripps
Assistant Executive Director

Anne Reynolds
Program Director, Volunteer Coordinator, Barn Manager

Valerie DiPasquale
Instructor

Jane Oelkers
Instructor

Angelica Beihl
Instructor

Maeve Walsh
Instructor

Pam Galante
Instructor

Debbie Saffren
Occupational Therapist

Kate Muro
Occupational Therapist

Terri Ransour
Occupational Therapist and Instructor

Cindy Thompson
Barn Staff

Chris Goodbred
Barn Staff

Harry Roth
Barn Staff

Samantha Vining
Barn Staff

Susan Michler
Barn Staff

Julia Kuzel
Barn Staff

Allison Keidat
Barn Staff

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Katie Quirk, Esq.
Chairperson

Dona Brookreson
Treasurer

Christine Siracusa
Secretary

Michael Chmielewski, M.D.

Wade Farrior

Carol Kirby

Glenn McKay

Bette Walters, Esq

Anita Zubak-O’Connor

Jennifer Miller

Elliot Kolodny, Esq

Nancy Kirby

Melissa Meade

Susan Mordan