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Miracles in Motion is blessed to have a dedicated
group of staff and volunteers. The organization's staff consists of
a full-time Executive Director and Program Director and a part-time
barn manager and volunteer coordinator. Instructors, consulting therapists
and committee chairpersons volunteer their time as well.
Miracles is both lucky and proud to have eight certified NARHA instructors
on the Operations Committee. NARHA facilities typically average 2.6
instructors per facility.
Of course, nothing would happen without our volunteers. Find out more
about volunteering at Miracles in Motion by clicking
here -- there is truly something for everyone!
STAFF
Darryl Tower -- Executive Director
Darryl Tower joined Miracles in Motion as executive director in the
fall of 2009. Darryl leads fundraising for the organization. Previously,
he served as CEO at Amana Colonies Golf Club, the site of our recent
annual golf outings. “Having known about Miracles in Motion for a number
of years, I am pleased to be working for such a unique organization,”
he says. Darryl lives in Amana and serves on the board of the Old Creamery
Theater. As CEO of Iowa Valley Development, he established condominiums
to support golf and resort operations in Amana. Darryl is a Jacksonville,
Florida native who earned anatomy and occupational therapy degrees as
well as an MBA. He served as director of various medical labs and services
before growing and leading medical billing software companies. Darryl
leads the fundraising committee. To join, call 360-8245.
Sue Bock -- Program Director & Instructor
Sue is a life-long horse person and a volunteer with Miracles since
1995. She attended a CHA instructor training course in Michigan in 1997,
completed the Cheff Center Instructor Certification Course in January
1999, and achieved Advanced Instructor Certification in June 1999. In
October 1999, Sue became Miracle's full-time Program Director. For Sue,
"Being Miracle's Program Director is truly a dream job for me. I am
extremely grateful for this opportunity and look forward to many years
of service to Miracles."
Julia Hanson -- Volunteer Coordinator & Instructor
Julia has been riding since she was five years old, having taken lessons
from a former Miracles instructor. She and her mom reside in Mt. Vernon
with theirs three horses. Julia attended Stephens College in Missouri
to pursue an equine science degree and volunteered at a center like
MIM. In May 2008, she graduated with a BS in Equine Science and began
an internship at Miracles, including full volunteer privileges and student
teaching under Sue Bock. Following certification, she was also offered
the volunteer coordinator position.“I'm so thankful my college
experiences led me here,” says Julia. “I couldn’t
ask for a better place to work. It is peaceful and friendly, and nothing
feels better than seeing the happiness and success of each student as
they ride their horse. “
Stef Viktora -- Barn & Property Manager & Instructor
Stef started riding at age five on her grandparents’ ranch in
Montana. She took riding lessons at stables around the Cedar Rapids
area, and started volunteering at MIM as a sidewalker, horse committee
member and exercise rider when she was a high school freshman. She spent
as much time as she could volunteering, then headed to Colorado State
University for a year to study Equine Science and Agriculture Business.
“I moved back to Iowa in August 2008 and happily accepted the
Barn and Property Manager position,” Stef says, noting that she
loves to be around the horses and her puppy, Buster. “In September,
I became an instructor in training." Stef received NARHA certification
in 2009.
INSTRUCTORS
Erin Hazen was "horse-crazy" as a kid and just never grew out
of it. In her own riding, she trains her horse Kips Bay in dressage
and jumping. She has also trained in cross-country jumping. Native east-coasters,
Erin and her husband Tim traded the taxis and bustle of midtown Manhattan
for the tractors and peace of Swisher, Iowa. Together they served as
Miracles' Caretakers/Barn Managers from 1998 to 2001, and they recently
moved onto their own acreage not far from the riding center. Erin is
one of Miracles' fabulous NARHA-certified instructors, having earned
her certification in 2000, and has also served as the Exercise Committee
Chair.
Kim Hott started volunteering at Miracles in Motion in 2000.
As a kid, her grandpa had sparked her love of animals, and she and her
horse, Twiggy, used to explore the fields and ditches around the acreage
for hours. Kim worked for MIM as the barn manager from 04-08 and served
in administrative and fundraising roles for a time. She became a NARHA-certified
instructor in 2006, a role she enjoys very much.
Rosemary Oliver began volunteering at Miracles in February 2003.
She served on horse committee for the next three years and as volunteer
bookkeeper for two of those years. In 2006, Rosemary became an instructor
in training and completed NAHRA's Registered Instructor Certification
requirements in August of that year. Rosemary is a western rider. She
and her quarter horse Pal can be found riding trails whenever circumstances
permit. Staying safe and having fun are Rosemary's top priorities at
Miracles.
Joyce Snyder came to Miracles in 1998. She quickly became known
as the volunteer we could count on and in 1999 served as the Volunteer
Coordinator. Joyce became an instructor-in-training during the 1999
summer session and attended a NARHA Instructor Training Workshop and
Certification Clinic in November 1999. Joyce completed her NARHA Registered
Instructor Certification during the 2000 season. She is currently a
member of the Horse Committee, the Exercise Committee, and served on
the 5K Committee and the Board of Directors.
Annie Trumpold began volunteering at Miracles in Motion in 2000
and earned her instructor certification in 2009. What started as a requirement
of her high school National Honor Society has become a constant in Annie’s
life. Having taken riding lessons since fourth grade and being a horse
owner, she fits in well at Miracles. “It’s always rewarding to see a
student figure something out and see the look on their face. Even if
it’s something really small,” she says. Annie has performed with the
Miracles in Motion Drill Team at the 20th Anniversary Open House and
other events. She is often drawn to the barn, where she can be found
sweeping or mucking stalls. The bubbly Amana native lives in Coralville
with her beagle/Chihuahua mix, Tate.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dennis Van Auken, President
Fran Hansen, Vice President
Jason Weeks, Treasurer
Kathleen Kleiman, Secretary
Keith Rippy
Danielle Allen
Dan Lewis
Shelley Mockler
Teri Schrandt
Mike Smith
HIPPOTHERAPY CONSULTANTS
Kristi Kernan is an occupational therapist with a degree from
St. Ambrose University who works in a pediatric program at St. Luke's
Witwer Children's Therapy Center. Her expertise is with children from
birth to 21 years of age with various diagnoses. Kristi became registered
through the American Hippotherapy Association in hippotherapy practice
in 2002. She is a consulting therapist for therapeutic riding, assisting
with initial evaluations for students in Miracles in Motion classes,
and she also provides one-on-one treatment using hippotherapy as a tool
with children with autism spectrum disorder, sensory integration, cerebral
palsy, and various diagnoses.
Karen Mauss received her Master's degree in physical therapy
from The University of Iowa. She works at Mercy Medical Center's Therapy
for Kids as pediatric physical therapist. She became registered in hippotherapy
through the American Hippotherapy Association in 2000. For Miracles,
Karen is a consulting therapist, assisting with initial evaluations,
and providing one on one treatment using hippotherapy for children with
cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and various diagnoses.
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