PEGASUS THERAPEUTIC RIDING ACADEMY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Emeritis
Effective June 30, 2019 Barbara Wertheimer has retired from Pegasus TRA. She will be continuing her support of Pegasus overseeing grant writing and serving on various advisory committees. Barbara is a retired attorney who first came to Pegasus in 1991 when her daughter began riding in the program. Over the years she became an active volunteer in many facets of the organization, ultimately becoming President of the Board of Directors in 1997. She continued in that role until April 2007, when she assumed the position of Executive Director following the passing of the founder and former Executive Director of the program, Carol Tatum. Barbara and her family have embraced Pegasus and all that the program has done for countless individuals. She is thoroughly committed to its continued existence as the premier therapeutic riding program in Philadelphia.
Catrina began as a volunteer with Pegasus in 2018 and later advacned into a Barn Assistant position. Catrina graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology as well as a minor in Equine Sciences. She is currently working toward her PATH CTRI. She enjoys working with our Pegasus horses and seeing the confidence participants gain as they learn and improve their riding and horsemanship skills.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President / Major Gifts Officer, Father Judge Highschool Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Job Titles:
- Organizational Development Consultant / Ernst & Young
Job Titles:
- Assistant Instructor & Barn Assistant
Jill first joined Pegasus TRA in the summer of 2017 as a volunteer. Little did she know how much she would love Pegasus' riders, horses, and their mission. Jill quickly climbed the ranks at Pegasus and advanced her skills by becoming a head volunteer, summer program worker, and a barn assistant. Currently, Jill is working towards obtaining her PATH CTRI and is also pursuing her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and Special Education from Holy Family University. When not at Pegasus you can find Jill spending time with her family, friends, and Jack Russel, Sammy.
Job Titles:
- Director Marketing Operations, QuidelOrtho
Job Titles:
- Dietician
- Food Service Director
Kevin was first introduced to Pegasus TRA through the Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) as a freshman in high school. His devotion to our riders and staff was cultivated across multiple positions within the organization, eventually leading to his current role as Operations Director nearly a decade later. Kevin graduated from Temple University with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, with a minor in Health Policy. Throughout his time at Temple, he held numerous leadership positions that strengthened his passion for serving his community and improving the lives of others. In addition to his administrative role, he is pursuing his PATH CTRI and looks forward to continuously building upon the restructuring of Pegasus. To contact Kevin please email him: Kevin@pegasusphilly.org
Kylie is a graduate of Delaware Valley University where she earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Equine Management. She began as a volunteer at Pegasus in the summer of 2019. Kylie immediately knew she wanted to be more involved and started training to be an assistant instructor. She became Ride Safe certified while studying abroad in the United Kingdom. Kylie is driven by a passion for watching our riders grow mentally, physically and emotionally. The connections created between our horses and riders is what keeps her motivated and striving to improve as an instructor and professional. While at Pegasus, you can find Kylie working with Archie and working with new riders! Kylie is a PATH Certified Instructor. To contact Kylie please email her: Kylie@pegasusphilly.org
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
Masha Feldman is one of our devoted barn assistants. Masha is no stranger to the barn and our programs, as she got her introduction to Pegasus as a high school volunteer. Masha has worked in numerous reputable barns in the area and we are grateful that she has found her way back to Pegasus TRA! Masha is currently studying Equine Science online and aspires to become a PATH certified instructor in the future. She enjoys being apart of the Pegasus TRA family and loves spending extra time with all the horses. While not at Pegasus, Masha enjoys practicing yoga.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Staff, Councilmember Michael Driscoll
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Treasurer / Financial Manager / the Vanguard Group
Job Titles:
- IT Senior Director, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Job Titles:
- Equine Director & Summer Program Director
Ryan joined Pegasus as a volunteer and quickly developed a passion for horses and our Pegasus community. He is a former Pegasus volunteer of the year, and a recent graduate of Delaware Valley University where he earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Equine Management. He also helps represent our program during outings, volunteer work days, and community events. His easy-going manner during lessons allows for riders to quickly develop a trusting relationship and a lasting friendship. Ryan is a PATH Certified Instructor. To contact Ryan please email him: Ryan@PegasusPhilly.org
Tammy describes Pegasus as nothing short of magical. Joining Pegasus as a Barn Assistant in the summer of 2019, she enjoys taking excellent care of our horses at Pegasus as they hold a special place in her heart for the important work they do for our riders and volunteers. In addition, she serves as the Volunteer Coordinator, organizing daily volunteer activities within our programs. Tammy also works
as a hostler for the Philadelphia Police Department Mounted Unit where she takes care of the city's police horses. She holds an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies from Community
Job Titles:
- Equine Trainer, Instructor
Taylor Adams is a graduate of Delaware Valley University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Equine Instruction and Training as well as a Masters of Education degree in Teaching and Learning . Taylor has completed the British Horse Society certifications through Stage 3. Taylor works in the Equine Department as an Administrative Assistant as well as adjunct faculty for DVU. Taylor is the co-author of the Pegasus TRA Equine Succession Plan that she will be presenting at the PATH International Conference in November 2019. While at Pegasus, Taylor enjoys catching up on all of the horses latest accomplishments both individually and with their riders! Her work as our Equine Trainer ensures that Pegasus TRA has happy and safe horses. Taylor is a PATH Certified Instructor.
Prior to joining the Pegasus TRA staff, Tekla rode competitively on Hofstra University's Intercollegiate Equestrian Team, as well as dedicating many hours of volunteerism to Pegasus. Currently, Tekla is an assistant instructor who is pursuing her Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor certification. During her lessons, she loves seeing the smiling faces of her riders grow and improve their riding skills on a weekly basis. When not at Pegasus, you can find Tekla at her full-time job at The Independence Seaport museum managing various events and performances.
Leading our Pegasus TRA program is Teresa Doherty. Teresa holds dual degrees in equine science and psychology from Rocky Mountain College. Innovative with our programs and passionate about our riders, Teresa has expanded and implemented many new programs and initiatives for Pegasus TRA. She works tirelessly to ensure our horses are healthy and happy in our lesson program. In addition to teaching, leading community programs and overseeing a growing horse show team, Teresa has co-authored the Pegasus Equine Strategic Plan at Pegasus that she will be presenting at the 2019 PATH International Conference in November. Teresa holds a PATH therapeutic riding instructor certification, a PATH certification for Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, and is a PATH International Mentor. She is also an adjunct professor at Delaware Valley University. To contact Teresa please email her: Teresa@PegasusPhilly.org
Job Titles:
- Chief of Staff, Councilmember Michael Driscoll