Alice Ayles

Alice was raised in Williamsburg but did not start coming to Dream Catchers until she began volunteering in 2003 after her daughter, Gemma (fondly referred to as “Fluff Chick” by her instructor, Brittney) became enrolled in the program. Alice become an instructor in 2009. Outside of the barn, Alice is an Early Childhood Special Educator at the Needs Center.
Alice first encountered horses as a teenager when she attended a boarding school in Vermont Her favorite horse was Jack, a kind Percheron/Trakehner cross at her boarding school, until she met Noel at Dream Catchers (whom she misses very much). When asked to create a show name for herself, Alice was quick to reply “Drama Mama”!

Jennifer Claydon

Jen grew up in Long Island New York. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising. At the age of 27 she lost her sight due to Juvenile diabetes. Feeling lost and frustrated someone suggested therapeutic riding. Having never been on a horse she began riding. She found it helped her regain confidence, independence and balance. She thought she could give back something to a program that changed her life at such a difficult time. She utilized her business background and life experience to work for a therapeutic riding center. She began to work for Dream Catchers in April of 2007. Since then she has assisted with organizing special projects and has had the opportunity to speak to others about the wonderful program that Dream Catchers has to offer. “I look forward to continuing with the opportunity that I have been given to work with Dream Catchers and those in the community” says Jen.

Melissa Conner

Melissa has been with Dream Catchers since 2005 when she started as a volunteer.  She grew up in Williamsburg and has owned and ridden horses since before she can remember; When she was five years old she received her first pony, Patience. Melissa has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond. She became a PATH certified instructor in 2006 and her PATH Advanced Instructor in 2011. She is currently the Operations Manager at Dream Catchers. Before coming the Dream Catchers, Melissa was a Legislative Aide in the House of Delegates and a homeschool mom! Melissa’s four children, Tessa, Taylor, Tori, and Tommy, and wonderful husband, Ben, all enjoy spending time at Dream Catchers.
According to Melissa, if she had a show name it would be “Snickerdoodle,” but Debbie insists it should be “Boss Ma’am!”  Melissa deeply cares about every member of the Dream Catchers herd, and is constantly impressed by their willingness to do their jobs so well.

Brittney Fitts

Brittney is a PATH certified instructor and has been at Dream Catchers since the fall of 2006.  She recieved a BA in Therapeutic Horsemanship from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and a BA in Elementary Education from Wake Forest University.  In 1997, she became a volunteer with a therapeutic riding program and has been involved with Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies since then.  Horses have been a part of her life since she was six years old and she has experience in saddle seat, hunt seat, and western riding.  Brittney is also an elementary teacher in the WJCC school system.

Jean Greene

Jan Harrington

I have always loved horses and known that I was a cowgirl in another life.  I was a “army brat”, so my family moved about every two years throughout my childhood.  Therefore, I could never own a horse, but the stables were the first place I found when we would move. 

My career path was in the hospitality industry and I put my cowgirl dreams on the back burner.  I lived in Florida for 25 years.  At the time I made the decision to leave Florida, I was the Director of Golf Sales and Marketing for a oceanfront golf resort…one of the most prestigious on the East Coast.  A far cry from being a cowgirl…although I NEVER stopped wearing cowgirl boots.  I made the decision to move to Williamsburg last year to assist my aging parents.  It was quite an upheaval…leaving my home, all of my friends and everything I held familiar.  And then, one wonderful day, my neighbor started explaining that she volunteered at a therapeutic riding center called Dreamcatchers.  My heart began to pound and 8 months ago, I was at Dreamcatchers… finding out how soon could I start?  The rest is history.  If I am not volunteering…I am working barn crew…creative designing on the sensory trail.

Outside of Dreamcatchers…I love sports…horseback riding, racquetball, tennis, biking, golf, power walking and fishing.  I also enjoy gardening and photography.

And now, because of Dreamcatchers…I am afforded the privilege of seeing sweet smiles, listening to infectious giggles, and experiencing daily miracles.  Top that off with loving not just one horse, but multiple horses…it is simply…as good as it gets!

Nancy Hawfield

Ben Hindman

Ben began volunteering at Dream Catchers in the spring of 2007 when his now wife, Lauren, began working here.  He was offered a paid position on the barn crew in the summer of 2008.  Ben is currently pursuing a Bachelors and Masters degree in Elementary Education at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Ben is also on Facilities.  He is the reason the grass looks so awesome.

Lauren Hindman

Lauren has always loved horses.  Her first horse was Cody, a palamino quarter horse.  Prior to coming to Dream Catchers Lauren attended Virginia Commonwealth University and worked in restaurants.  Lauren became a member of the Dream Catchers barn crew when she moved to Williamsburg in the spring of 2007.  She has since worked her way up to become the Grounds & Facilities Manager, and was certified as a PATH instructor in June of 2010. Lauren insists that she loves each horse at Dream Catchers the same, because “each has a marvelous personality.” When not at Dream Catchers, Lauren enjoys spending time with her three dogs, Howie, Romeo, and Frances, two cats, Edna and Otis, and husband, Ben – who also works at Dream Catchers.

Carol Ivey

Carol has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University and a Masters Degree in Recreational Administration from the University of Illinois.  She has taught elementary education for over 20 years and retired from the Newport News school system.  She is certified in teaching the gifted/talented and did so for the last 10 years of her teaching career.  Carol has a background of working with special needs children and adults.  She began her association with Dream Catchers in Spring 2006 as a volunteer and became a PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor in 2008.  She has her own horse and finds Dream Catchers to be a perfect way to combine her love of teaching with her love of horses.
Merlin has always been Carol’s “guy”, but she has recently become very fond of Reba, who she describes as “a country girl brought to the city.” With Carol’s help, Reba is slowly becoming a lady! Carol began her relationship with horses on her cousin’s ornery pony, Linda, who was soon exchanged for her uncle’s draft horses used to pulled wagons through a hay field. Anyone who watches Carol work the horses can see she is a phenomenal horsewoman whom the horses respond well to. Outside of Dream Catchers Carol enjoys time with her husband Ed and her dog Anne. She loves hiking, reading, gardening, and loves dancing so much that when asked what her show name would would be, she responded, “Life’s Dancer”.

Terry Jacoby

Terry is a graduate of the College of William & Mary and joined Dream Catchers in the summer of 2010.  She is a former community banker and has held positions with First Virginia Bankshares in Northern Virginia for eighteen years, culminating in being named President and CEO of the bank’s First General Mortgage Company.  She returned to Hampton Roads and joined Virginia Company Bank in May 2008.  She is an alumna of the VBA’s School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia.  Prior to joining Dream Catchers, Terry served on the Board for two years and had been a volunteer with therapeutic riding programs in Tennessee for ten years.  Terry owns two Tennessee Walking horses and enjoys trail riding ~ especially in the Big South Fork National Forest in the TN mountains.

Harriet Jolly

Kathy McKinney

Kathy joined the staff of Dream Catchers in March 2011 after working for over 25 years as an executive for a small business that specialized in government contracting.  With extensive experience in accounting, contract administration and business management, Kathy also works as a consultant for small businesses and non-profits to evaluate internal controls, business plans, policies and financial statements.  She fondly refers to Dream Catchers as her “Happy Job” and enjoys being able to use her skills to support an organization that is making such a positive difference in the lives of so many people.  Kathy lives in Williamsburg with her husband Ken.  She enjoys cooking, music and watching the wild birds that frequent their feeders and thinks playing with her grandchildren is the gift that keeps her young and joyful.

Skip Mollenhauer

Skip earned a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University in Education, and her masters degree from William and Mary in Secondary Education.  She taught for 36 years:  33 in Newport News, and 3 years in Virginia Beach.  During that she also coached her gymnastics teams to a 328 - 13 record.  She has been working with, and riding horses since she was 2, and has ridden and shown in dressage, english pleasure, western, halter, sport horse in hand, sport horse under saddle, and hunter classes.  She takes great pride in her farm in Barhamsville with homes 3 horses, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and her husband.  She came to Dream Catchers as a volunteer in 2006, and became an instructor in 2007.  Skip says “teaching therapeutic riding combines all of the things that I love - horses, eating, and coaching.”  Her favorite horse at Dream Catchers is Blackie, who captured her heart with his.

Nancy Paschall

Nancy Paschall resides currently in Gloucester, Virginia, but (“never”) grew up in various places, including Virginia Beach. Prior to entering the Dream Catchers scene in 2007, Nancy was a non-profit consultant. When she comes to the barn, she leaves behind her beloved Tennessee Walking Horses, Joe, Bart, and Captain, whom occupy most of her time when not working. Nancy has been working horses for over 30 years since she began riding Annie, her cousin’s quarter horse.
You can always tell Nancy is at the barn by the presence of her large English Mastiff, Zeke. Gemma, one of our students who fancies herself a dentist, once decided that Zeke’s teeth needed a checkup. She proceeded to stick her entire head inside of Zeke’s jaw (it’s THAT big), and true to character, Zeke lay stock still and allowed her to proceed- no harm no foul! 

Kat Rusnak

Kat is a senior at the College of William & Mary, graduating in May 2011 with a BS in Psychology and in Kinesiology & Health Sciences. She had served as a volunteer research assistant for the Dream Catchers’ Research Team, which is studying the positive impact of therapeutic riding for children diagnosed with autism. Kat also volunteers at Dream Catchers as a horse leader and side-walker for lessons. When a new part time position for a research assistant was recently developed, Kat was recommended by two of her professors who serve on the Research Team. Her knowledge of the research study, her enthusiasm for therapeutic riding, her attention to detail, and her love or horses & kids make her a perfect match for this new position. Kat rides with the W&M Equestrian Team and plans to continue her graduate studies in Occupational Therapy. Her favorite horse at D.C. is “Sassy” because “she is such a conscientious & loving team member that she always makes my job so easy”!

Kim Wendell

While she currently resides in Williamsburg, Kim grew up in Tennessee with her horses in her back yard; She cherished King, her first quarter horse, as well as Paula Dee and her colt Sundance. She graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, in 1984 with a degree in Special Education. Kim began volunteering at Dream Catchers in 2005 and became a PATH certified instructor in 2006. Kim says “I have been blessed to be able to work with two of my favorite populations – horses and individuals with special needs.” Kim is currently our school group coordinator and does a fantastic job! When asked what her show name would be, Kim responded “Abstract Random”.

Donna Wilson

Donna Wilson is a graduate of Findlay University with a degree in Equestrian Studies.  She has been involved in therapeutic riding since 1996.  In 1997 she received her PATH advanced level instructor certification.  Donna has served for six years on the Board of Directors for the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia (TRAV).  She currently serves PATH as the Lead Site Visitor for accreditation of therapeutic riding centers.  She was the program director for Dream Catchers from 1996 to 2000 and returned to teach at Dream Catchers in 2008.  Donna is currently employed with Sentara Newtown Diagnostics and Urgent Care in Williamsburg, VA.  A North Carolina native, she now resides in Toano, VA with her husband David, one dog, two horses and three cats.  “Being a therapeutic riding instructor offers me the pleasure of combining my love and passion of horses and people.  I am both honored and humbled to know that what I do is making a difference in someone’s life by improving their quality of life.  Being involved with therapeutic riding has definitely enhanced the quality of my life.”

Gwen Zimmerman

Gwen lives in West Point, Virginia with her husband Steve.  She came to Dream Catchers as a volunteer in April 2007.  “As luck would have it, I saw an ad in the local paper for volunteers at Dream Catchers and that was the beginning of one of the most rewarding experiences in my life,” says Gwen.  She became a PATH certified instructor in December 2008.  Gwen had a career in the horse racing industry, bred and raised thoroughbreds and Welsh ponies and showed hunters for many years.

Zeke

Zeke is the four-legged “owner” of Dream Catchers. He makes sure everyone feels welcome with a drool-bath and an opportunity for a belly-rub. He is seen daily lounging on the front porch, following Nancy around, or carrying his doll-babies in his mouth. He attends all staff and board meetings and makes his presence known by his loud “SNORES”. Small children who visit Dream Catchers think is a horsey and wish to know if they can ride him. Please make sure you say hello to him when you visit or he will make sure you know you haven’t!