Marlene F. Karman
Executive Director - Equine Trainer - PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Marlene Karman is the founder and Executive Director of HRET. As a PATH instructor, she teaches many of our classes and creates individualized curriculum for schools and private classes.
Qualifications/Experience:
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) Intl certified therapeutic riding instructor, educator and wellness coach with M'lis (30+years), VP in saving and loan industry, previous Lemont Fire Commissioner, founding member of Willow Creek Church and co-leader of Prison and Jail Ministry, active member of the Equestrian Woods Community Association Board of Directors. Completed PATH Intl. Instructor Training for Equine Services for Heroes.
Ashley Wurth, Ph.D
Program and Rider Director - PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Ashley works on the organization of the program. She works with Marlene to make sure that every rider finds a place at HRET where they can best have their needs and desires met. She is a PATH Certified Instructor and creates the farm experience curriculum.
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Qualifications/Experience:
B.S. Equine Science, B.S. Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, and minor in Business Administration from Colorado State University, Ph.D. at The Ohio State University, PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, environmental educator, horse trainer, Kane County CASA/GAL, PATH Intl. Mentor.
Completed PATH Intl. Instructor Training for Equine Services for Heroes.
Art keeps our horse herd healthy and happy. He makes sure all horses get any special feed, medication, blanketing or care. Art is at the barn daily to make sure our horses are happy and content year-round!
Qualifications/Experience:
Financial Advisor (60+ years), co-leader of Willow Creek Barrington Prison and Jail Ministry.
Equestrian Manager
Art Karman
Rebecca Spring
Veterans Coordinator
As a combat veteran herself, Rebecca is committed to developing and managing a Veteran Program at HRET in order to serve veterans of the greater Chicago area. She is looking to give back and teach other veterans what she knows is one of the most rewarding experiences a veteran can have.
Qualifications/Experience:
Undergraduate Degree from University of South Dakota. Commissioned in 2003 to the United States Army, Masters in Health Services Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology, business owner, Pilates instructor.
Lauren Strohl
Herd Manager
Lauren worked as a special ed transportation aide and started as a HRET volunteer before joining our team as herd manager. She exercises, stretches and organizes all the medications, feed, supplements, and vet records our horses need to be happy and healthy. She owned and showed American Saddlebred horses in the Midwest area for several years and uses her experience to keep our horses healthy and safe for our riders. Not only does she help get the horses fed, exercised, medicated, and ready for morning classes, she also volunteers as a Leader in classes. Lauren’s greatest satisfaction is seeing the riders’ smile after a therapeutic riding lesson.
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Qualifications/Experience:
7 years of showing American Saddlebred horses, special education transportation aid
More Information Coming Soon
Farm Experience Coordinator
Laura Karman
Emma has been with us since our very first rider back in 2015, as a volunteer and herd helper. Since her first day, she knew she wanted to work for HRET when she grew up! As soon as she turned 18 she began the track to get her PATH Intl. certifications. Now as an instructor, she uses the skills she learns in her certified therapeutic recreation specialist program to create unique and intellectual activities. Emma specializes in teaching our pony classes.
Qualifications/Experience:
PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, pursuing Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist degree from Moraine Valley Community College, 5+ years herd care/equine training experience, Learn to Skate USA instructor, USA Hockey Instructor, Shirley Ryan Abilitylab Volunteer, CPR/AED/First Aid certified.
PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Emma Bunda
Lindsey Kickert
PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Lindsey teaches during our evening classes and uses her special education background to create a variety of fun, individualized, and skill-appropriate
activities for the riders. Lindsey specializes in creating lessons that also include academic skills!
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Qualifications/Experience:
PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, certified 6-12 educator, BS in secondary math education, endorsements in special education and middle school, MS in educational technology leadership.
Tricia Boyd
PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Tricia teaches the morning classes and assists with herd care. She enjoys sharing with participants both mounted and unmounted interactions with horses and helping them to grow a deeper relationship and connection with horses. Tricia bring experience in horse management, stable management, and teaching riding lessons. She develops lesson plans for both unmounted and mounted participants.
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Qualifications/Experience:
Attended William Woods College in Fulton Missouri and College of
DuPage, PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, PATH Intl Mentor,
Certified Masterson Method Equine Specialist, Montessori Teacher
Assistant, developed curriculum for a Montessori P.E. Program, NASM
Certified Personal Trainer and taught Yoga for Kids.
Ashley communicates with potential and existing volunteers in regards to the various opportunities and needs at HRET. Ashley is also part of our herd care team and uses her past experience of showing Arabian and Half-Arabian horses on the A-rated circuit, and working through training level dressage with her own horse in training our program horses. Her background in marketing has also provided HRET with an in-house graphic designer. She develops, creates the layouts, and designs the imagery for our marketing materials including social media graphics, brochures and flyers, and all of our printable marketing needs.
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Qualifications/Experience:
PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor-in-training, Assistant Project Manager for a locally based Construction Management company
Assistant Volunteer Coordinator - Graphic Designer/Marketing Specialist - PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor-In-Training - Herd Care Team
Ashley Brown
OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
