Members of the Ride On St. Louis staff and volunteers attended the Region 7 Conference of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. Pictured are Kathy Alm, CEO, PATH Intl.; Marita Wassman, Program Director, ROSL; Jeanne Johnson, Office Manager, ROSL; BriAnn Session, Grant Manager, ROSL; Ross Braun, President, PATH Intl.; Tera McCool, Board President, ROSL. The conference, held February 22-24 at Exceptional Equestrians hosted equine-assisted activities and therapies professionals and volunteers of all levels from Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The three day event provided networking and continuing education opportunities from a variety of presenters. Kathy Alm, CEO of PATH International and Dr. Tim Shurtleff, MA, OTD, OTR/L were among the presenters. Mrs. Alm has a unique depth of knowledge and understanding of the association and its membership, and served for 15 years as Executive Director of Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center; through her direction it is now one of the largest organizations in the industry. Dr. Shurtleff, an instructor in Occupational Therapy and Neurosurgery, included Ride On St. Louis and select clients in his research studies at Washington University, School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy in 2006, 2007, 2012 and 2013.
The conference also recognizes outstanding volunteers, equines, veterinarians and professionals in Region 7. Ride On St. Louis is pleased to announce that Jeanne Johnson, Book Keeper and Office Manager, was awarded the title of 2018 Region 7 Volunteer of the Year. Jeanne has been volunteering at Ride On St. Louis since 2012 in a variety of roles. Jeanne Johnson is retired from 45 years at Ameren MO where she worked in stockholder and treasury records, payroll and work records, security on comply and revenue, and as a manager for the Union Electric Independent office in De Soto. Jeanne was past Executive Director for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, past Vice President of VP of Local 1455 IBEW, past youth advisor for the Missouri Quarter Horse Association and former Rodeo Pageant Director for the Twin City Chamber of Commerce. Jeanne currently volunteers 40+ hours weekly managing Ride On St. Louis’s administration affairs, billing and bookkeeping. Jeanne also volunteers her time sitting on Ride On St. Louis's fundraising committee, as well as working at special events. Jeanne is an avid Cardinals baseball fan, adores her Yorkie puppy Yadi, and passionately supports her daughter Michelle Forness named 2017 Amateur Horsemanship World Champion. Congratulations Jeanne and thank you for all your support to Ride On St. Louis. We couldn't do it without you!