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Jim Bagrosky -
NARHA Registered Instructor/Facility Manager - jim@ctrcinc.org
Jim began as a Volunteer at CTRC in 1996. In 1999, Jim retired from StorageTek, after 30 years as a Manufacturing Engineer, and joined the CTRC staff as our Facility Manager. Jim’s dedication and long hours keeps the CTRC facility in tip-top shape. Jim has over 20 years of horse experience and is also a Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor through NARHA. Jim’s commitment to CTRC is enormous and he takes great joy in watching our riders bond with their horses and grow as equestrians.
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Sonya Chafty-Sturges –
NARHA Registered Instructor/Volunteer Coordinator - volunteer@ctrcinc.org
Sonya started at CTRC as a volunteer in 2005 after organizing the Rocky Mountain Cancer Survivor riding program,
became a NARHA Registered Instructor
and now not only instructs at CTRC
but also co-shares the Volunteer
Coordinator position with Melissa. She is a breast cancer survivor who became a believer in the power of the horse to heal!! She knows first hand the therapeutic value of the horse as she credits her horse, Dusty, who she spent every spare minute with as a powerful aide in her recovery. In her spare time she rides Dusty, runs, and pretends she can snowboard. Sonya is blessed with the most wonderful and supportive family!
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Sue Crist –
Outreach & Education Coordinator - Sue@ctrcinc.org
Sue, has been associated with CTRC since its start. As a volunteer in 1980, the Outreach and Education Coordinator in 1999-2003
and in 2009 she has returned to what she loves
- performing Outreach and Education for CTRC. Sue has her Masters in Early Childhood Education and a passion for horses including her own horse, Spot. When not here on site, working with and getting our marvelous miniature horses ready to go out in the community, Sue is out talking to people, bringing forth the word of CTRC’s wonderful services.
She believes in and has witnessed firsthand the joys
CTRC has brought to so many riders, their families, our volunteers and our horses!
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Carol Heiden
-
Executive Director -
director@ctrcinc.org
Carol holds a Masters of Education and has worked in non-profit management for 20 years. Her extensive experience includes fiscal planning and oversight, all aspects of fundraising, operational and program development and evaluation, community and media relations, personnel supervision and management, and Board development and management. She has been involved with CTRC since 1998. Carol holds the riders, volunteers, staff and horses of CTRC in the highest regard and feels blessed that her work brings such remarkable people and creatures into her life.
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Gabe Matthews –
Barn Manager– gabe@ctrcinc.org
Gabe started volunteering at CTRC in January of 2005 and was quickly hooked by
the amazing relationships formed between the riders and horses. When the
opportunity of Assistant Barn Manager came along in the spring of 2006, she
jumped at the chance to work here. And we are glad she did! As of the Fall of
2009 Gabe is CTRC's Barn Manager. Originally from New
Jersey, Gabe came to CU- Boulder over 20 years ago to obtain her Bachelor of
Arts degree in Psychology. She now lives in Denver along with her partner, Rob
and LOTS of critters, one of which you’ll find at CTRC! Buster, her miniature
horse keeps company with CTRC’s Mini Troopers, Carmella and Scarlett, while
Gabe’s other three horses, Maisey, Theta, and Taz, along with their dog, Bruce,
cat, Luther and chicken, Red Chicken live in Denver.
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Laura Merrick -
Administrator -
laura@ctrcinc.org
Laura feels so fortunate to have had the cosmos align offering her the
opportunity to join the CTRC team in the Summer of 2007. With a bit of a hiatus to live abroad Laura is once again
delighted to be back at CTRC. With a BA in Business/CIS and a BFA in Graphic Design she is excited to apply her skills to the support and growth of CTRC and all its amazing programs. She has a deep respect for the staff, volunteers, horses and riders who together continue to prove day after day the power that Therapeutic Riding has to change lives.
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Mary Mitten -
NARHA Advanced Instructor/Program Coordinator
-
mary@ctrcinc.org
Mary joined the team at CTRC in the Spring of 2008. She brings with her more than 12 years of therapeutic riding industry experience, including holding the position of Program Director at two other centers and
NARHA Advanced Level certification. Mary grew up in Florida showing horses in 4-H, Quarter Horse shows, and dressage – which she now primarily rides. She went on the receive her Bachelor’s in child development and psychology while gaining a plethora of experience working with various types of horses, people, and programs. On her days off she enjoys spending time with her husband, her furry children
(a Black Lab and a 3-legged German
Shepherd), her horse Clown, who also works part-time at CTRC, and making homemade greeting cards.
Mary is SO SO happy to be working at CTRC!
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Melissa
Mosley –
NARHA Registered Instructor/Volunteer Coordinator - volunteer@ctrcinc.org
Melissa moved in May 2009 to Colorado from Nashville, TN, where she was formerly
a Therapeutic Riding Instructor at SaddleUp!.
She comes to CTRC as a NARHA Registered Riding Instructor with a bachelors degree
in psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. Melissa
initially joined the CTRC staff as a Camp Instructor
but quickly became not only an
Instructor but also the Volunteer
Coordinator. She co-shares the
Volunteer Coordinator position with
Sonya. In her free time, she rides hunter/jumpers and competes in
triathlons. Melissa has been extremely impressed by the commitment and
enthusiasm that she has seen from the CTRC volunteers so far and is really
excited to continue working at CTRC and getting to know all of the dedicated
volunteers that enable CTRC to serve so many participants!
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Loraine O’Keefe
-
NARHA Registered Instructor/Program Director -
loraine@ctrcinc.org
Loraine started with CTRC in 2004,
after years of teaching and
competing in the Equestrian world.
She has fulfilled several roles at
CTRC including Horse Trainer,
Instructor, and Program Coordinator.
In 2006, she moved to North Carolina
to start a family and is now the
proud mom of a two year-old boy.
While in North Carolina, Loraine
worked as the Program Director for
the North Carolina Therapeutic
Riding Center and for UNC’s TEACCH
Autism Program. She is very excited
to have returned to CTRC in 2009.
She holds a BS in Biology with a
minor in Sustainable Development.
She and her husband have traveled
many parts of the world including
Australia, New Zealand, Thailand,
and Cuba (to name a few). She is an
advocate for those with special
needs and has a special interest in
working with those with autism. She
is thrilled to return to CTRC and
all the amazing individuals and
horses that make it such an amazing
place!
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Penelope Powell -
NARHA Advanced Instructor/Special Programs Coordinator -
penelope@ctrcinc.org
Penelope first became involved with CTRC during the Winter
of 2006. From there she soon joined the training team and schooling team.
In 2007 Penelope joined the staff first as a camp counselor and then as an instructor
and most recently became the Special
Programs Coordinator. Penelope holds a Bachelors in Religious Studies and
the NARHA Advanced Level
certification. She has years of experience as an equestrian, mainly studying Classical Dressage.
Enjoying working with people, Penelope has also spent time as a preschool teacher. In her spare time she enjoys being outside, hanging out with friends, and traveling.
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Sharon Van Boven
-
Office Manager - sharon@ctrcinc.org
Sharon came to CTRC in 2008 holding a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and years
of experience working with emotional and behavioral disordered youth. As a
child, Sharon owned horses and grew up riding and showing in 4H. Having spent
most of the past 13 years raising her two children, Caleb and Anna, she is
excited to be back at work. She is amazed each and every day by the strength and
resilience of our riders and the commitment of our parents/caregivers and
volunteers. She is extremely grateful to be part of CTRC and feels very lucky to
have a job she loves and one that reminds her daily how remarkable people are.
She lives in Boulder with her husband, Leaf, their two kids and their own herd
of critters.
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