In 1999, Mary began teaching therapeutic horseback riding reaching a NARHA Advanced Instructor Certification. In 2002, she co-founded a therapeutic riding program just north of Atlanta, GA achieving North American Riding for the Handicapped Association program accreditation (NARHA) serving individuals with physical and cognitive differences and behavioral and emotional challenges.
Mary earned a Masters in Counseling Psychology in 2005 from Pacifica Graduate Institute completing an internship at Inner Harbour, a residential treatment center for youth and adolescents with an Equine Program. Mary worked with adolescent girls in crisis participating in Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy sessions with individuals, groups and families. Mary also completed a practicum at Horse Time working under the supervision of Maureen Vidrine a founder of Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA).
Mary’s corporate career spanned 15 years in marketing and project management with time spent abroad in Chile, S.A. with the Peace Corps, and a corporate contract assignment in Prague, Czech Republic. She served as a Program Manager for IBM in their Education and Training Division and holds a Masters in Business Administration.
Mary lives in Asheville and works as a therapist in a wilderness program serving adolescent girls in crisis. Her equine partner, Boogie, has served as a therapy horse providing his services to two therapeutic riding programs. He is semi retired and resides in the Mountin’ Hopes Therapeutic Riding Community.