Our Staff
Executive Director & Part Time Instructor:
Dita Keith
Dita Keith has been an active member of the Bend community for the last 15 years enjoying not only all the area has to offer, but serving on numerous committees and private school and foundation boards. An avid equestrienne since the age of 10 with a passion for all things equine, she showed for many years as a junior hunter/jumper rider and now spends her free time logging trail miles and horse-camping in beautiful Central Oregon with her family. Dita has ridden with the Silver Edge Drill Team, is 2008’s Bend Senior High School Drill coach, and is an enthusiastic member of the Deschutes County Sherriff’s Posse. Dita has worked in all HR program capacities serving as lesson volunteer, Volunteer Coordinator, and most recently, NARHA Registered Instructor. Dita is married and has two daughters who, between school, after-school sports and farm chores, delight in volunteering at Healing Reins!
Full Time Instructor:
Katy Schroeder
Katy has been involved with horses since she was 13 years old. Her background is in three day eventing which is a combination of dressage and jumping. She had the good fortune to work and compete for an Olympic Gold Medallist for 6 1/2 years. She felt this experience led her to use her knowledge of horses for a higher purpose. Katy discovered Healing Reins while she was working at a wilderness therapy program for at-risk youth. During her off time, she was looking for volunteer opportunities and Healing Reins was the perfect fit. Katy started volunteering and was hooked. She also enjoys backpacking, listening to live music and reading a good novel. She spends the rest of her spare time riding Micah, the Westphalian dressage horse loaned to her by volunteer Carol Hofelmann.
Part time Instructor:
Tamara Aydelott
Tamara has felt like she has come full circle in her passion of horses and teaching. Riding from the age of seven, she spent six years working on an Arabian horse ranch, showing in western pleasure, working hunter jumpers and guiding. Tamara dove into her love of teaching after earning a Masters in Education from Western Washington University, added teaching endorsements in English Second Language, Music and Special Education. Since moving to Bend in 2001, she has been a music educator and also a special education teacher for two of her years at Elk Meadow Elementary. Tamara began as a Healing Reins volunteer and became a certified registered therapeutic riding instructor through NARHA in 2005.
Part time Instructor/Administrative Assistant:
Laura Moss
Laura has been riding since the age of six, immediately hooked and spending countless hours at the barn. Trail riding and showing since age 9, Laura and her horse Belle won many classes including 1995 Hunt Seat Junior Exhibitor World Champion at the Morgan Grand Nationals. Belle has since become a therapy horse at HRTRC. Laura has gained valuable experience growing up living and working with a showing and breeding farm. She became a HRTRC volunteer in 2005 and in January 2007 became a certified therapeutic riding instructor through NARHA.
Part time Instructor:
Janessa Uhl-Carper
Janessa came to HRTRC in 2002. She grew up in Iowa spending her childhood
and teen years surrounded by horses, riding and adoring them. During a break
from the horse world, she began having "horse withdrawals" and after seeing
ad, she found Healing Reins. During her time volunteering she also found she
had a new interest and growing passion, to help others succeed and learn
about horses. With great guidance, she received her NARHA Instructor
Certification in September 2003 and began teaching and riding again. She
enjoys her work within the therapeutic world immensely for its challenges
and great rewards. She also enjoys the privilege of working with so many
uniquely great people/horses and continues to find the true meaning of "to
give" within her work. She spends her free-time learning the art of teaching
her young horse, Bailey.
Equine Director/Part time Instructor:
Michelle Anderson
Michelle joined the Healing Reins staff in 2006 as equine director after a lifelong involvement with horses. In her role, she selects horses for the program and helps keep the herd healthy, sound and fun to ride for our students. As an instructor, she enjoys sharing horses with others and watching students develop their skills and self-esteem. Michelle has also worked in equine publishing since 1998 and has authored more than 500 horse-related articles. She currently serves as associate editor of John Lyons’ Perfect Horse magazine in addition to her time at Healing Reins. Although she’s tried a little of everything on horseback, Michelle is now focusing on the sport of dressage with her homebred gelding, Jack.
Volunteer Coordinator :
Carolynn Stoops
Carolynn is an active new member of the ever-growing Bend community, arriving in 2005 from Santa Cruz County, California to follow her dream to be able to actively support and serve the Healing Reins Community. Carolynn has been a strong advocate for the disabled and a professional Resource Specialist in a comprehensive High School environment, developing and facilitating the diagnostic, educational, vocational and emotional support services for students within the Autistic Spectrum of disabilities along with the more severely involved physically challenged students. Since arriving in Bend, Carolynn has actively participated in a variety of community non-profit organizations, activities, events and musical performances with such organizations as the Cascade Chorale, the First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, and the local Children’s Musical Theater, as a vocal musician. She also plays the Scottish Fiddle. Carolynn is married, and has two adult children, one grandchild and two very wild, wooly and wonderful West Highland Scottish Terriers.
Program Director & Part Time Instructor:
Penny Campbell
Penny has been working with horses off and on for the past 25 years. Her experience includes working with various professional trainers where she gained skills in starting young horses and giving beginning riding lessons. Apart from the equine world, Penny spent 15 years in business managing & scheduling manufacturing plants in the Portland area. Moving to Central Oregon in 1998, Penny and her husband planned to give something back to the community and hoped to tie in this effort with horses. Penny has been with HRTRC since the beginning of the program, becoming a certified instructor through NAHRA in 2000. She has held various positions of volunteer coordinator, barn manager and office manager. |
