Circle of Hope staff members consist
of professionals educated in the fields of therapeutic riding, physical therapy,
and special education.
Lesley Shear is Co-founder, Executive
Director, and Head Instructor. Lesley was certified as a therapeutic riding
instructor by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA)
in 1995 and is currently holds the position of Chairperson of their Accreditation
Committee. Lesley is a graduate of Pine Manor College and Tulane University.
She taught therapeutic riding at the National Center for Therapeutic Riding
for six years before co-founding Circle of Hope. Lesley has been teaching therapeutic
riding for over 15 years.
Janet Carbone is a nationally registered and Maryland licensed occupational therapist with over 30 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities. She is a graduate of Towson University with a BS in Occupational Therapy, an MA in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Maryland, and a BA from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in Social Services. Janet is a registered therapist with the American Hippotherapy Association and NARHA. She is currently is employed at the Springfield Hospital Center in Sykesville, MD as an occupational therapist.
Beth Hughes is a graduate of Mary Washington College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Beth is a certified veterinary technician currently working in Potomac, MD. Beth was certified as a therapeutic riding instructor by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) in 2002.
Kerrie Mansfield attended Southeastern Massachusetts University briefly before joining the Massachusetts Air National Guard where she studied Medical Lab Technology. Kerrie was certified as a therapeutic riding instructor by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) in 1999 and achieved Advanced Instructor status in 2003. She has been involved in therapeutic riding since 1996.
Heidi Weber is a graduate of Sacramento City College with an A.S. and is a Physical Therapy Assistant. Heidi began her therapeutic riding career as an instructor with Saddle Pals Therapeutic Center in Sacramento, CA. in 1994 and became the director of Operations in 1997. Heidi was certified as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) in 1997. In 2002, she began volunteering for Circle of Hope and in the fall of 2005, she joined the staff as an instructor. Heidi is currently studying to obtain her PTA license in Maryland.