PRTR - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Board President & Director of Site Development
Alicia Engebretson is a mother of 2 young boys both with various levels of Autism and a baby girl on the way. Her interest and involvement with special needs began soon after her oldest was born. Since then, she has founded a social support network for Douglas County Special Needs families and been very involved in early childhood special needs support and development. She also enjoys spending time outside and working with animals. Most summers are spent horseback riding in Wyoming with her family.
Her involvement at the ranch began around 2014 as her oldest started receiving services at Promise Ranch early on. Currently, both of her boys are active riders in the Hippotherapy program and happily progressing with their skills and development.
After moving to Franktown, CO in 2020 with my husband and two young children, I was thrilled to see Promise Ranch just minutes down the street. Having volunteered at another therapeutic riding facility in the past, I knew I needed to get involved. Little did I know I would end up joining the board as the Treasurer and deepening my involvement! My love of children and horses intersects perfectly with my professional career in Finance and I couldn't be happier with the role I've taken at Promise Ranch Therapies and Recreation!
My name is Janna Benkelman and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a MS in Rehabilitation Counseling. I grew up with horses and as a child had a big bay quarter horse named Denoli. Later, as an adult, my family lived in Elbert where we had four horses that we used for recreational riding and pack trips. . I come from an animal family and have always had at least two dogs at any given time. We also had one rescue cat who was my favorite! I have had numerous pet birds over the years, several whom I rescued. . My adult daughter and I currently share custody of a yellow naped Amazon parrot who has mastered about 30 words and is learning more every day. He loves the different routines in each of our homes, and is currently practicing a song! In my clinical work, I have worked with adults, teens, children, and families. For a number of years I worked on a crisis team, but for the past 25 years I have worked in a private clinical practice. I love working with kids and teens and am so excited about being able to put together my work with them and the animals at Promise Ranch! In my free time, I spend time with my pets, I love flower gardening and cooking, and I enjoy reading, skiing and travel.
When I set out to obtain my degree in psychology, my original plan was to go into music therapy. A
music therapist/family friend invited me to one of her sessions so I could see first hand what it looks
like. I instantly fell in love with the IDD community and knew that's where I belonged. I spent about four
years between different day programs, and one year in case management, before I discovered
I've been a horse lover all my life! I was privileged to own two horses as a teenager/young adult. They taught me a whole lot about being human and kept me grounded when I was diagnosed with depression. My brother was a client at a therapeutic riding center that has long since moved locations, so I spent a lot of time volunteering just down the road from Promise Ranch (it's funny how life brings you full circle sometimes). I haven't been as close to horses as I'd like in the last decade, but I've tried to keep in touch by working at barns and volunteering at places like Promise Ranch. I am a mother to a 4-year-old son, Luke, in whom I hope to instill a love of all things horses, and a happy wife to my husband Drew. I am currently majoring in biology at the Community College of Denver and I hope to one day be an Equine Nutritionist.
Job Titles:
- Speech - Language Pathologist
- Social Media Coordinator
Kim is a speech-language pathologist currently staying home with her 2 young children. She has always enjoyed pictures and videos, so she found a new hobby running our social media. She has been volunteering with PHR for over a year, and she joined our team in April 2023. She is excited to create more windows for the world to be able to see the magic that happens at the ranch.
I've been a volunteer at Promise Ranch for several years. I grew up riding horses and participating in gymkhana events. I am currently working on my Natural Lifemanship certification to better my equine skills. I have a passion to work towards providing a therapeutic environment that is both safe and fun, and also a second home.
I'm Sarah, one of the barn attendants at the ranch. I have been riding and around horses for over 20 years. I am also a licensed physical therapist assistant practicing here in Colorado. Our mission at the ranch is a true passion of mine. I'm so happy to be a part of our amazing team and feel lucky to be able to take care of our wonderful equine partners.
Shannon brings a unique skill set to Promise Ranch as a mother of 5, including 2 neurodiverse children. She values the services we offer and has witnessed the healing that takes place in this magical setting. Her understanding of the daily challenges and celebrations of raising wonderfully neurodiverse children, as well as the complexities involved in meeting these children's needs drew her to Promise Ranch. As a substitute teacher for Douglas County School District, she specialized in special education where she and her students looked forward to their time together. Shannon has lived in Parker, CO with her husband and kids for the past 23 years and is involved in the community. As a dedicated member of the community, she is anxiously engaged in her volunteer leadership position in her church's women's organization. Shannon is excited to continue to build relationships and further the mission of Promise Ranch.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board
Suzanne was previously the Adaptive Riding Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator before moving into her current role. That hands-on experience guides and informs decision making at the board level. She holds designations as an Equine Specialist for both PATH and Eagala. Currently she is working toward certification as an Adaptive Riding Instructor as well. She believes strongly in the concept of horse as partner and teammate in the work we do. A mom of four, she lives on a ranch near Castle Rock with her husband, three horses and two goats. Don't hesitate to reach out to her at Suzanne@prtr.org
Job Titles:
- AR Instructor & Veterans Group Facilitator
- off! I Didn'T Enjoy It