Kelly Rodgers – Executive Director
Kelly served as MTR’s Program Director from 2008 until May of 2020 when she was promoted to the Executive Director position. A horse lover from before she could talk, Kelly has devoted her lifetime work to equine-assisted activities and therapies.
Kelly graduated from Centenary University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Studies with a concentration in Equine Business Management. During her time at Centenary, she served as a volunteer in the TRAC (Therapeutic Riding at Centenary) program and became certified as a PATH International Instructor. Upon graduation, she took a job as the Barn Manager and Head Instructor at a therapeutic riding center near West Palm Beach, Florida.
After two beautiful years in the sunshine state, Kelly was eager to be closer to family again, and in 2008 accepted a position at Maryland Therapeutic Riding. Since then, MTR has stolen a huge piece of Kelly’s heart.
Kelly is one of thirty Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International Master Instructors in the country and also holds a certification as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Kelly serves as a Lead Site Visitor for PATH Intl. and supports the growth and future of EAAT by serving on various committees and presenting at Regional and National conferences.
When Kelly is not at the farm, you can find her enjoying time outdoors with her husband KJ and son Declan. They reside just a mile down the road from MTR in the wonderful Arden on the Severn community.
Katie Streett, MS, LGPC – Clinical Director of Ten Ten Counseling at Maryland Therapeutic Riding
Katie Streett has supported MTR in multiple roles for the last decade to include Volunteer Manager, Head Instructor and Program Manager. In fact, many of the protocols that remain in place today at MTR were established by Katie herself! She is not only as a PATH Intl. Certified Advanced Instructor, mentor and site evaluator, but also as a licensed mental health provider.
With a Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from Loyola and a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Johns Hopkins University, Katie has worked with adults, children and families with various needs. Through partnering with Ten Ten Counseling, Katie formalized and grew the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy services provided at MTR. She is certified through EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) as a mental health provider and equine specialist. She looks forward to continuing to expand mental health services to meet the needs of our community.
When Katie is not working, she enjoys relaxing, spending time outside and going on adventures with her husband and their five children. They can be found walking their Corgi, enjoying music, laughing and exploring new things. To relax and unwind, Katie enjoys reading, yoga and meditation.
Linsey Erar – Program Manager
Linsey grew up learning how to ride from her Dad and Grandpa on her Grandpa’s farm in Northwest Florida. It was then she learned the valuable lessons that still echo through her life today like, “what you do is louder than what you say” and “ life is better with dirt under your fingernails and horsehair on your clothes.”
Linsey started in western pleasures shows but has always enjoyed a long trail ride most of all. In college, she returned from working at Disney World and needed to find a way to be around horses regularly. She began volunteering at a small therapeutic riding program and quickly fell in love with the impacts therapeutic riding had on participants and their families. This inspired her to become an instructor. In 2009, she graduated with her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of West Florida and became a certified PATH Intl. therapeutic riding instructor at the Leaning Post Ranch in Northwest Florida. Linsey has taught at therapeutic riding programs in Florida, Hawaii, and Maryland, as well as, teaching Special Education in Hawaii. She, along with her OTTB (turned Hawaii Polo Pony, turned showjumper) has shown in the Hunter and jumper rings. Linsey has completed at local dressage shows in Florida and Maryland. She and her Hawaii thoroughbred still enjoy a long trail ride most of all. She now is blessed to have found a home at MTR. She aspires to attain her Advanced Instructor certification and one day become a site evaluator.
Linsey, along with her husband and two little boys, have a small hobby farm with her quirky Thoroughbred, teeny-tiny pony, 3 itty-bitty pygmy goats, and 3 lazy housecats. In her downtime, you can hear her belting show tunes, hiking, running, and watching too many organizational how-to videos.
Nicole Hauseman – Equine and Facilities Manager
Nicole began riding at the age of six in her home state of Indiana. Growing up, she spent as much time at the barn as she could, diving head-first into the eventing world and competing throughout the mid-west. Nicole received her Bachelor’s degree in Equine Studies at Delaware Valley University and soon discovered a passion for dressage. Nicole has since competed at the Prix St. George level and has raised/trained her own mare from the time she was 3 months old and made her 3rd level debut in 2019.
Nicole has also worked as Assistant Breeding Manager at a prestigious dressage facility and has started two of her own businesses, one specializing in breeding sport horses, and one focused on training other dressage hopefuls. She believes dressage is foundational to all riding, allowing the horse and rider to effectively communicate in a way that benefits both.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys outdoor sports and activities with her husband and three children. She is very involved in her church community and extremely hard-working and dependable.
Jessica Mitchell – Volunteer Manager
Jessica has been an equine enthusiast since the age of 6 and spent much of her childhood seeking out opportunities to be around them, be it volunteering at camps, helping with barn chores and taking every opportunity to ride possible. She spent several years competing in local hunter/jumper shows and learning a multitude of valuable life lessons.
Jessica met her husband, Kevin not long after earning a B.A. degree in Sociology from Dickinson College. They have since settled in Anne Arundel County, not far from the farm with their two dogs, two cats and ever-changing foster dog. When Jessica is not at the farm, she enjoys diving into a good book, traveling the world, hiking, kayaking, meeting new people all while practicing her photography skills!
Erin Superczynski – Therapy Program Coordinator
Erin began riding when she was 6 years old, and since then horses have remained a common thread in her life linking one life event to the next. Erin is a Maryland licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with her Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Psychology and a concentration in Individuals with Exceptionalities. In 2017, she received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University.
After school, she was lucky enough to call Annapolis home taking a job at a private pediatric practice. Since then, Erin has gained experience working with a diverse pediatric population treating a variety of communication disorders in the school systems both in-person and through tele-practice and at Maryland Therapeutic Riding since 2019. Erin has attended the Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part I and Part II courses through the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. learning best practices for incorporating equine movement into a client’s therapy plan of care. Erin recently received her Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist Certification, which to date she is the only speech therapist in Maryland to hold this certification, and the 11th in the world!
In her free time Erin can be found with her husband, Andrew and their two high-spirited German Shorthaired Pointers, Dunkel and Bowman. Together they enjoy spending time helping on Andrew’s family’s farm growing produce for their community in Arnold. She also stays busy tending to their new bees, reading, and spending time with family.
Lisa Zehring – Donor Engagement Manager
Lisa comes to MTR with a passion for making a positive impact on the lives of others. She is looking forward to sharing the work of MTR to foster awareness and grow commitment within our community.
Lisa earned her master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Development and spent much of her professional career in that capacity. Following the diagnosis of her daughter with type 1 diabetes at a young age, she began her philanthropic path working for years with JDRF in the roles of volunteer, chairperson, board member, and employee. Prior to joining MTR she was a Philanthropy Coordinator for a local retirement community working with their scholarship and benevolent care programs.
Lisa is a lifelong horse lover that grew up riding and competing with hunters/jumpers. She was a member of the riding team at her alma mater, Colorado State University. She is excited for the opportunity to combine her interests of philanthropy and horses in her role at MTR.
Lisa lives in Arnold with her husband Mike, and their two bullmastiffs. They are enjoying their empty nest, but fully appreciate any time they can get with their three grown children (Madison, Nick and Braden). In her spare time, she enjoys being outside, walking, skiing, traveling and reading.
Lilly Merson – Barn Coordinator
Lilly comes to MTR with a wide range of horse and animal experience. She was introduced to the world of horses when she was seven years old and has never looked back. Lilly enjoys spending time taking riding lessons, trail riding, competing in barrel races, and grew up loving her own beautiful Appendix gelding and miniature horse. Lilly takes every opportunity to spend just a little more time in the barn. In recent months, Lilly has enjoyed learning the art of dressage with her Pony Partner, Splash.
When not at the barn, Lilly enjoys being with friends, going to concerts, and spending time with Lucky Lee, her sweet little mutt. Lilly grew up in Severn and now lives in Crownsville, MD just down the road from the farm! Lilly lives by the words, “Behind every cowgirl is a horse that taught her to love with her whole heart.”
Lilly is thrilled to begin to support MTR in all facets of programming and work closely alongside the amazing MTR volunteers to support our operations on the farm. Lilly will continue to impact MTR participants and families in her role as an MTR Instructor.
Amanda Holland – Operations Assistant
Amanda has had a lifelong love for equines and all animals and a dream to have a career revolving around them. She is thrilled to be a part the amazing team at MTR where horses and healing are so integral.
Amanda has a Bachelor’s in Spanish, focusing on non-traditional educational environments. She worked in bilingual programs in early education, libraries, and non-profits. MTR has made a huge impact in Amanda’s life just in the short time that she has been here and thrilled to give back to MTR and use her skills and experience to advance the mission.
Amanda has spent years battling Fibromyalgia, asthma and anxiety and once things started opening back up after the Covid-19 quarantines, she decided to fulfill one of her dreams to work with therapy horses. She started volunteering at MTR in Spring of 2021 and immediately fell in love with everything about the loving and healing environment of MTR. The physical activity of barn work and the healing environment of working with horses immediately made a positive impact on her health. She took on extra shifts as she was able, and after every shift, left feeling confident, calm, and loved. She also took on the role of barn lead.
Amanda spends her free time with her husband, Chris and their two rescue dogs, spending much of their time outdoors hiking, birding, and gardening. When the weather is not so good, you can find her gaming online with friends.
Board Members:
Jerry Housand – Treasurer
Mullen, Sondberg, Wimbish & Stone, PA
Kim DeChello
EverWatch
Brian Cooper
EverWatch
Danielle Whalen
EverLights
Nancy Spiesman
Maryland Therapeutic Riding
Will Garlow – Board Chair
TD Wealth
Jennifer Litwak – Secretary
Transamerica
Leslie Lewis
Leslie Lewis Consulting
Robert Miller III
SilverEdge