Strides to Success Staff
Debbie Anderson, ESMHL, CTRI
Executive Director
Debbie has served in the animal-assisted therapy industry for over 40 years. Debbie has held every position including lead stall cleaner, program director, board member, fundraiser, founder, executive director and has always been a great instructor. In addition to being involved on a program level, Debbie volunteered her time and energy to PATH International for the last twenty years serving on committees and on the PATH Board of Directors for ten years including four years on the Executive Board.
After years of traveling on the horse show circuit and training several world champion riders, Debbie settled in Indiana and co- founded Strides to Success with a vision of meeting community needs through EAL and Therapy programs. Debbie also loves to serve as the welcome mentor for people that are new to EAL. She loves to listen to their vision and lend them any experience that may be helpful and guide them to resources that will help them make their dream a reality.
Debbie is a PATH certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor since 1996 and is also certified as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning. Additional certifications include Certified Equine
Interaction Professional in Education, E3A certified corporate trainer, EAGALA trained and a HorseWork Master trainer.
Blair McKissock, PhD, ESMHL, CTRI, CTRS
Director of Education and Research
Blair McKissock has been in the field of human-animal interaction and experiential education for over 20 years. She earned her BS in Recreation Therapy and her MS in Education and has a PhD in EcoPsychology. She is a PATH Intl registered instructor, certified equine specialist, EAGALA trained and certified WellCoach. She is the chair of the equine facilitated learning (EAL) community for PATH Intl and works nationally to establish standards in EAL. Blair is honored to be a part of the Strides staff as an instructor and workshop facilitator.
Sally Pike
Program Director
Sally has combined her background in education with her passion and understanding of horses to help bring a foundation of knowledge, grace, compassion, acceptance, and self-confidence to her clients. Sally works with our area schools, youth programs, and individual clients of all ages to help them develop the life skills to make tomorrow a better day. She was recently recognized with the Jefferson Award. This prestigious national honor is given annually to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in public service and community work. Sally’s receipt of the Jefferson Award is a testament to her exceptional leadership, dedication to her community, and her never-ending generosity and service.
Megan Hofeldt, EALF-ED
HorseWork Associate
Megan is an educator and program director with a diverse background including experience as a collegiate music professor. The Covid-19 shutdown led her to immerse herself in the equine world where she discovered that her skills in communication, teamwork, and resilience translated seamlessly to Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL). Now a certified HorseWork and PATH International EAL facilitator, Megan is dedicated to helping others connect with horses. She is based at Wild Dreams Ranch in Strum, Wisconsin.
Megan serves as a faculty member and the administrative coordinator for HorseWork Education which is our professional development training program. She takes great pride in supporting individuals across the globe on their journeys to becoming credentialed EAL facilitators.
Shannon Thomas, ESMHL
Instructor
Shannon Thomas started at Strides in April of 2019 caring for the horses and the barn a few times a week. Through her time working in the barn at Strides to Success she became interested in fulfilling the requirements to become a PATH certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. She works with clients to build self confidence, trust, leadership skills, life skills such as focusing, paying attention, being a good listener, managing time, accountability and responsibility to name a few.
Kristy Smith-Parnell, LMHC, ESMHL
Instructor
Dana Amburgey ESMHL
Board President/ Instructor
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” -Winston Churchill.
Dana was the kid who leaned on the fence and watched horses in the pastures that surrounded her family home. Over the years her fascination and interest for horses grew into what has afforded and offered her opportunities to support, educate and provide service to others in need through Equine Assisted Learning (EAL). Outside of her “big girl job” in the pharmaceutical industry, Dana is a HorseWork Facilitator helping with educating others who are interested in learning more about Equine Facilitated Learning. A PATH International Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESHML) instructor, Dana works with survivors of trauma, human trafficking, veterans and those who just need a little help along their journey. Earning her associate degree in Business Law and Executive Administration Dana is also a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy. She serves as chairman of the board at Strides to Success and is humbled by the honor of receiving the Presidential Service Award for volunteerism
Mary Gilyeat
Office Manager
Mary’s childhood was highlighted by her longing for a horse under the Christmas Tree each and every year. She was thrilled when given the chance to have a horse of her own during her late teenage years. In her travels as a young adult and college student, she continuously sought out opportunities to maintain equine friendships. After 15 years in the field of Social Work, she moved to a new community, obtained her LSW, married and became a new mother. Feeling the equine tug at her heart once again, Mary was drawn to Strides in 2000 as a volunteer. In addition to helping with client sessions, she also began to help with a variety of office projects. Since that time, Mary became a Certified Quick Books User. She now feels blessed with a happy mix of serving Strides as an Office Manager, while continuing in her volunteer role with the horses.
Savannah Smith ESMHL
Instructor
Savannah Smith started at Strides to Success as a volunteer after hearing about the program in high school. After graduating, Savannah took the position as barn manager at Strides. The more she learned from her wonderful mentors, Debbie and Blair, the more she fell in love with the work. After a few years of living in North Carolina, Savannah is excited to be back at Strides in training as PATH certified equine specialist and Therapeutic Riding instructor.
Heather Teike
Mental Health Professional and Equine Specialist
LMSW & PATH certified ES, EAGALA Certified