"The
instructors, the volunteers, they care and they care sincerely and genuinely for these kids, our children. For the staff at
4STEP, it is all about the opportunities they can give to these children who are so unnecessarily and unfairly dealing with
physical or mental limitations. They see the potential in these children and truly want to bring out their best or simply
let them be who are they are. The 4STEP staff recognizes
the different abilities in each one of their clients and will maximize each rider's experience. This
is a talented group." ~Heather K.
Twyla Pellman, Executive Director
|
|
|
Twyla began her "horsing around" at the age of 5. She
began to professionally train and show horses at the early age of 13. She started her business in Juniata County, but
soon outgrew her facilities. Twyla and Teresa later moved to McClure, Pennsylvania in 1995 and opened up Four Seasons
Equestrian Center. Always having a heart for those in need and the physically challenged, Twyla sought to use her skills
in a different capacity, and her dream started to form. 4STEP started with a small group of people with similar dreams
and it officially began with our first client Chloe. A client that left Twyla changed forever, and pushing her on to
fulfill her dream of touching even more lives. Twyla serves as the Executive Director of 4STEP. She coordinates services, plans and lovingly provides sessions
to our participants. She is a certified member of PATCH and EAGALA, giving her the expertise she needs to combine her
equine skills into a therapeutic tool.
|
35+ Years Equine Experience
Professional Horse Trainer
Nationally known
Taught riding lessons and took many
students to National and World competitions
PATCH certified
EAGALA certified
TwylaPellman@4stepgivinghope.org
|
Laurel Patton, LSW, Assistant Director
|
|
|
A licensed social worker, Laurel is excited about serving the community
by combining her passion of horses and people. Laurel has professional experience working with families focusing on family
functioning, at-risk youth and teen groups. She spent 9 months working at Green Gate Farm in Maryland, expanding her
Equine-Assisted Learning skills and is currently working at the Juniata River Center, NHS, as a Mobil Therapist and Behavioral
Specialist.
She explains her passion as one that allows her to join both loves: horses and people. It is
here at 4STEP that she is able to partner with the horses to bring needed growth and learning to individuals in her home-town
community. Laurel comments that she has witnessed the effectiveness of this work in a more time
effective manner than her traditional work with families in an office setting. She believes this change process
is better facilitated here at 4STEP because of the experiential manner of the activities and the interactions with
the horses which help to break down barriers that are traditionally struggled with in an office setting.
|
(Through Philadelphia Biblical
University and Temple University)
Licensed Social worker
EAGALA certified
Hobbies Laurel enjoys spending time with
her husband and family; talking walks in the woods; reading and of course, riding her horses. LaurelPatton@4stepgivinghope.org
|
| |
|
|
Teresa Pellman, Instructor
|
|
|
This page is still under development.
|
Hobbies Teresa enjoys spending time with her husband
and two children, planting in the garden and cooking with her husband. TeresaPellman@4StepGivingHope.org
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
All of our volunteers play a very important role in our sessions.
They ensure the safety of our Therapeutic Riding participants, help sessions run smoothly and keep the barn in tip-top shape.
If you would like to email an encouraging word to our volunteers or maybe become a volunteer yourself, you may email the volunteer
coordinator at: volunteer@4stepgivinghope.org
