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DONATE ONLINE TO SUPPORT THERAPEUTIC RIDING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES!

PALS is a United Way Monroe
County Member Agency.

	Name: Fern Bonchek Type of therapeutic riding certification: PATH Intl. Advanced Instructor Position: Executive Director Email: fern [at] palstherapy.org Phone: (812) 336-2798 ext 2 The person at PALS that has seen it all and been there from the beginning is Fern, the Executive Director and Founder. Before she started PALS, she obtained a B.A. degree in Psychology with a specialization in Human & Animal Interactions and worked at other therapeutic riding centers from California to New York since 1995. Fern started PALS because she wanted to bring her experience in therapeutic riding back home to Indiana. Fern served as the chair of the Higher Education Committee of Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) from 2004 – 2006, is a PATH Intl. Registered On-Site Workshop/Certification Associate Evaluator, an adjunct instructor at Indiana University in the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) and a 2010 graduate of Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County (LBMC). Fern's life isn't all work, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, camping, and of course riding horses.
	Name: Annie Cornett Type of therapeutic riding certification: PATH Intl. Registered Instructor Position: Assistant Director/Instructor Email: annie [at] palstherapy.org Phone: (812) 336-2798 ext 6 Annie was first introduced to therapeutic riding when she began volunteering at PALS in 2005 as a sidewalker, horse leader, and barn manager. The passion she developed for the field only grew as she spent more and more time with the program, and in 2009 she became a PATH Intl. Registered Instructor. She is a two-time graduate of Indiana University, most recently completing her Masters of Science in Recreation, with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. She recently received her professional certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. Annie is thrilled to become part of the PALS family and join the organization that helped her develop her passion from the very beginning.
	Name: Jennifer Lung Type of therapeutic riding certification: PATH Intl. Registered Instructor Position: Head Riding Instructor Email: jenn [at] palstherapy.org Phone: (812) 336-2798 ext 3 Pictured here with her favorite PALS horse, Bell, Jennifer has been involved with PALS since shortly after it began in 2000. Jennifer found out about PALS after bringing one of her clients to participate in therapeutic riding. Jennifer then knew that this was the place for her. With her background of showing and owning horses since she was 10, and also her long career of working with people with disabilities - this would be the perfect fit of her two loves!! Jennifer has a B.S. in Outdoor Recreation and a minor in Environmental Interpretation, and is certified to do Person Centered Planning for people with disabilities. She got involved because she loves the people, riders and volunteers. "It is the greatest reward to see the rider smiling, learning new things, and most of all, having fun!" Jennifer said. "There are several people that I work with that are very hard to find activities that they like to do. However, therapeutic riding has become their favorite thing. They look forward to seeing the horses and people, and it makes me feel great to know we are all contributing to brighten their day."
	Name: Taryn Lyman Type of therapeutic riding certification: PATH Intl. Registered Instructor Position: Instructor/Volunteer Coordinator Email: taryn [at] palstherapy.org Phone: (812) 336-2798 ext 5 Pictured here with her favorite PALS horse, Lola, Taryn has been involved with PALS since the spring of 2007. She found out about the PALS program from its involvement with Indiana University, where she is currently working on double majors in Spanish and Exercise Science, with a minor in Psychology. Taryn grew up with horses, and has always loved all types of animals, so the PALS barn was exactly what she needed when she arrived in Bloomington! Taryn is also involved with the Student Athletic Board on IU’s campus, and she is employed at Inside Scoop, the candy store in the College Mall. When she’s not working she loves to read, spend time with her dog, Xena, and hang out with her friends.

Name: Barb Bonchek Type of therapeutic riding certification: PATH Intl. Registered Instructor Position: Volunteer Instructor Email: bbonchek [at] gmail.com Barb has been at PALS from the beginning when she helped develop it, but therapeutic riding has always been of interest to her. She started developing her knowledge and love of horses many years ago, through owning horses and showing them in Eventing and Dressage. Barb owns a farm where she spends her free time working with horses, gardening, and drawing. Her fondest memory was when she saw a special rider of her’s trot off-lead for the first time. In the future Barb would love to see PALS continuing and eventually getting its’ own facility!

Name: Elisa Duncan Type of therapeutic riding certification: PATH Intl. Registered Instructor Position: Volunteer Instructor Email: elisa [at] palstherapy.org Elisa is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist. She is a past president of the Indiana State Hospice Organization and specializes in Grief Therapy. Elisa has also owned her own horses, taught beginning riding lessons and managed a 40 stall Equestrian Center. She is trained in Dressage and hopes to utilize her skills as a therapist and horsewoman to benefit the riders at PALS. Elisa is married to Doug and they share their farm with 2 dogs, 2 cats and an old pony! She feels very blessed to be a part of PALS and looks forward to a long association.

*** All PALS instructors are PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors or are supervised by a PATH Intl. Certified Instructor at all times.