Staff
Denise Wright: Program Coordinator/NARHA Registered Instructor-
Denise began volunteering with Tri-State in 2004 when she also decided she wanted to make therapeutic horseback riding her career. She attended Berry College where she rode on the Intercollegiate Equestrian Team and received a Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies. She worked at Open Arms Care in Ooltewah before coming to Tri-State full time in 2008. She became a NARHA Registered instructor in 2008. Denise loves the time she gets to spend with the riders and horses and enjoys introducing new programs to Tri-State. She is currently working towards her Interactive Vaulting Certificiation.
Jerry Howard: NARHA Registered Instructor- Jerry Howard moved to Cleveland, TN from Mississippi a few years ago where he started his own horsefarm. Jerry works at the Trousdale School of Cleveland and has taught therapeutic horseback riding for several years. He stay active in the local Special Olympics programs. Tri-State’s retired horses, Cassie and Socks, found homes at Jerry’s farm and fat and happy!
Tuesday nights are Jerry’s nights to teach at Tri-State.
Gloria Risko: NARHA Registered Instructor-
Gloria was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She is married to husband, and Tri-State volunteer- Bill Risko and they have 2 children, Danielle and Michele who live in Austin, TX. Gloria graduated IUP 1972 with Bachelor of Science R.N. and worked for 30 years as an R.N. in I.C.U., C.C.U., Med/Surg. and Private Practice. Gloria and her husband own Quarter horses, and her horse is named Harley (a 11year old, 16 hand sorrel gelding) and they love to trail ride and care for their horses.
Gloria received her NARHA certification in 2009 and is happy she can combine her background in medicine and love of horses in the therapeutic riding program.
Leanne Smiley: NARHA Registered Instructor
Leanne Smiley was one of the founding members of the Reinbow Riders Program back in 1998- she has been active with the program raising money and promoting new programs. She owns Dogwood Farms out of Cleveland, TN which specializes in training and horseback riding lessons. Her son, Jake is a freshman at Motlow State Community College where he plays baseball. Leanne is a 7th grade teacher at Ocoee Middle School as helped start Tri-State’s Equine & Teens program for at-risk youth.
Jackie Dean: NARHA Registered Instructor In-Training
Jackie started volunteering at Tri-State in November of 2009. She heard about the program at Tri-State through Lee University, where she attends college as a Health Science major. After volunteering for a few Saturdays, she figured out how much she loved it at Tri-State. Jackie decided to pursue her certification because she wanted to help the riders and the center as much as possible. She thought that the best way to do that was by becoming an instructor. Jackie teaches on Saturday afternoons.
Caitlin MeHarry: NARHA Registered Instructor
Caitlin Meharry is a NARHA Registered Instructor and is also certified through Equestrian Management Workshops. With a solid medical background as an R.N. and previous experience as a P.T. aid she has a unique understanding of the rehabilitation process. She firmly believes that therapeutic riding is an excellent way to help individuals achieve personal goals and knows that horses can often build bridges where no one else can. When not at the hospital or barn she enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, playing her violin, quilting, long distance swimming, trail running, baking, and playing hide-and-seek with Kiwi – an Eclectus parrot.