Ivy Hill's board of directors puts a lot of faith in the Ivy Hill staff. All staff members have some training in Therapeutic Horsemanship. All Ivy Hill instructors are required to be certified either through the North American Riding for the Handicapped (NARHA) or the Pennsylvania Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship (PA Council) as well as participate in Ivy Hill's Instructor in Training Program.

Shawn Berg is a instructor at Ivy Hill.  Shawn started as a volunteer in 2009 and began teaching in August of 2010. Shawn is in the process of completing her NARHA Certification to be a Registered Instructor. Shawn has grown up around horses and has owned her own horse for 22 years.  Shawn graduated from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts with a degree in Biology and has worked at Teva Pharmaceuticals in Clinical Research since 1999.

Katee Cliver is an instructor in training at Ivy Hill. Katie is in the procress of completing her PATH registered instructor certification. Katee is a certified Special Olympic Coach.



Jenna Cohen is a physical therapist at Ivy Hill.  Jenna graduated from Temple University with a doctorate in physical therapy. She has experience working in a hospital, outpatient, and school based therapy settings. Jenna has volunteered in the past with several therapeutic riding programs in New York and Virginia. She has been riding since age 7 and has experience showing at both USEF and IHSA shows. Jenna has been shadowing staff since November of 2009 and in February 2010 has taking on her own students.  Jenna is very excited to be working with riders at Ivy Hill.  Jenna is also a certified Special Olympic coach certified. 

Ashey Dufrane is an instructor at Ivy Hill.  Ashley has been volunteering at Ivy Hill since 2008.  Ashley joined our barn staff in 2009 and joined out barn staff in January 2011. Ashley is a Special Olympic Coach.  

Chris Geller is an instructor at Ivy Hill.  Chris has been teaching at Ivy Hill Since December 2010.  Chris has grown up with horses, and was fortunate to have many opportunities to show, drive, trail ride and fox hunt. Horses have always been part of her life, and still today she has her own barn in Coopersburg. Chris has had thirteen years as a riding instructor for physically and mentally handicapped adults and children. In addition I have my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Elementary Education.  Chris received her NARHA certification in 1995.

Ashley Hand is an instructor at Ivy Hill. Ashley is in the procress of completing her PATH registered instructor certification. Ashley is a certified Special Olympic Coach.

Julia Mac Minn is an Instructor at Ivy Hill. Julia has been teaching since January 2009 and has been a volunteer with since 2005.  Julia is perusing the pre-veternarian program at Penn State University and is riding on the Equestrian Team at PSU.  Julia is a NARHA registered level therapeutic riding instructor. She is also a certified Special Olympic Equestrian Advanced Coach.

Vicki Naugler is a physical therapist at Ivy Hill. Vicki has taught hippotherapy sessions at other therapeutic riding programs and has been helping with new rider evaluations especially pediatric ones over the past 5 years.  She has been a reat resource to us.  We are excited her scheudle has cleared a spot her her schedule to take sessions of her own.

Tiffany May is an instructor at Ivy Hill. Tiffany is in the procress of completing her PATH registered instructor certification. Tiffany is a certified Special Olympic Coach. 

Dina Pietrangelo is an instructor at Ivy Hill.  Dina has been teaching at Ivy Hill Since October 2010.  Dina has been teaching at other programs in the area and brings her knoweldge to share with us.  Dina is a NARHA Registered Instructor.

Janna Herrmann Pitak is an Instructor and Horse Care Manager/Trainer at Ivy Hill.  Janna is one of our two full time staff members.  Janna graduated from Delaware Valley College in Doylestown with a dual Major in Equine Studies and Business Management.  Janna is currently taking restate classes. Janna has owned and shown horses for over 10 years in the areas of Dressage, Cross Country, and Hunters. Janna has taught and worked at Summer Camps in the buck county area.  Janna completed an internship with Ivy Hill during the summer of 2007 and is a Registered PATH Instructor.  She is also a certified Special Olympic Equestrian Advanced Coach.  

Rachael Rufe is an instructor at Ivy Hill.  Rachael came to Ivy Hill with an interest in volunteering with Special Olympics and is now also working as an instructor. She has been teaching at Ivy Hill since February 2011. Rachael attended The University of Findlay and graduated with Bachelors Degrees in Equestrian Studies, Recreational Therapy and Health Science. She then continued on to receive her Masters in Occupational Therapy. Rachael is currently a pediatric occupational therapist in Horsham, PA. Rachael began riding at a young age and has experience owning and showing horses. She has competed over the years in AQHA shows as well as IHSA shows during college. She has experience teaching children ridding as well as working with children with disabilities both through current employment and previous volunteering. We are excited to have Rachael come on board with us. Rachael is a certified Special Olympic Coach.

Megan Strychowski is Ivy Hill's Program Manager and Instructor at Ivy Hill. She has been on staff since 2004. She educates and trains the volunteers and  staff to assist the instructors and therapists effectively in therapeutic and Hippotherapy sessions. She is a PATH registered level therapeutic riding instructor. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. Megan has taught in Emotional Support Classrooms at a residential school, as well as multiple disabilities, autistic support, and life skills classrooms in the public school system.  She is currently seeking her masters in special education.  Her experience includes volunteering for since she was ten years old other therapeutic equestrian facilities. Megan has successfully completed PACTH's Instructor Training Program. She has also volunteered with Special Olympics' local and state level equestrian training and competitions for over six years. She is a certified Special Olympic Equestrian Advanced Coach as well as a Unified Coach. Megan is also a Special Olympics Clinician. mstrychowski@ivyhillequestrian.org

Kristin Tanis is a licensed Physical Therapist for Ivy Hill's Hippotherapy program. She also works for Genesis Health Care where she specializes in Geriatrics and Pediatrics. She graduated from Beaver College (now Arcadia University). Kristin started as a volunteer around 2001 and has been on staff since 2002. She has also completed the Level I Equine Skills Treatment Principles workshop through the American Hippotherapy Association. She has been involved with Ivy Hill for several years.

Karen Watson is an instructor in training at Ivy Hill. Karen is in the procress of completing her PATH registered instructor certification. 

Sarah (Smith) Youngstrand is an instructor at Ivy Hill. Sarah has been teaching with Ivy Hill since January 2008.  Sarah is also assisting us with some public relations and publishing materials for special events. Sarah is one of our two full time staff members at Ivy Hill.  She also works as a photographer and owns her own photography business. Sarah attended Antonelli Institute of Art and Photography where she received her associate's degree in specialized technology. Sarah started riding when she was 9 years old and has owned her own horse since 2004. Sarah volunteered with Ivy Hill in 1999 when it first opened and is now an instructor with our program. Sarah has also worked at Victor Valley Camp. Sarah is a PATH registered level therapeutic riding instructor. She is also a certified Special Olympic Equestrian Advanced Coach.

We would like to welcome the following staff:

Teresa Myers- Substitute Instructor

Rebecca Landes- Substitute Instructor

Ellen Pitman- Substitute PT and Instructor

**All Instructors are CPR and First Aid Certified**

Ivy Hill has been blessed with a dedicated team of board members. All board members donate their time and talents to help oversee the entire Ivy Hill operation.

Chris Brockett, President

Allen Steere, Vice President

___________, Secretary

Joann Barnak, Treasurer 

Anthony Russo, Director

Erin Tolson, Director

Lisa Prinz, Director

Vere Bryan, Director

Grace Emmell Leister, Director

Megan Strychowski, Director

Ivy Hill's Barn Staff:

Janna Herrmann Pitak
     - Horse Care Manager
Ashley Dufrane
Ashley Hand
Rachael Garton
Abbey Kellar
Tiffany May
Sarah Youngstrand
Susie Killian
Katie Suder