Mycah McColm-Hopkins

• Marge Cheesman, ORT, CTRI, ESMHL
• Sarah Oglesby, CTRI
• Heaven Whorton, COTA, CTRI
• Jessie Nykeens, ESMHL
• Jessica White, Marketing
• Dianna Lillard, Missouri Barn Manager
• Allen McColm- Financial & Farm Manager

• Horses - Spirit, Dunner, Webber, Joey, Cowgirl, Bugsy,   
  Polly, Mercedes, Picabo, Copper, Scotty, Ben, Bentley,
  Leggs, Chip, Glory, Winter, and Armand
• Big Ponies - Vinny, Lil Joe, Domino, Oakley, 
• Little Ponies - Tess, Minnie, Rosie, Betty, Tim, Helen,
  Lil Mo, Ghost, Jazzy
• Donkeys - Roy, Leroy, Eeyore, and Chrome 
• Sheep - Ms. Lilly, Panda, Mimi and friends
• Goats - Star, Bright, Windy, Wilson, Tete, Deb,
   Moon Pieand friends
• Calf - Lil Moo  
• Chickens - (unnamed)
• Therapy Dogs - Grace, Ellie, Shep, Meg

*Team Hope has 2-legged staff members, but ALSO recognizes the value of their 4-legged staff members…

Team Hope Staff

Our Very Important
Therapy Animal Staff

  For thirty plus years, I have grown up with farm animals and equine experiential learning and therapy happening, literally in my backyard. I come today with expansive skills, knowledge and leadership to offer support and add value to the equine industry with multiple world and national titles in the AQHA All-Around events. I believe that equine animals can be powerful and compassionate teachers and healers, helping individuals develop life skills, promote personal growth and development, and improve mental health and well being. I desire to help the equine industry grow and expand with personal and professional development assisting with the equine and other animal assisted-learning by helping expand their knowledge of facilitation and specialized work with horses.
  Personal mission statement- Loving and accepting people where they are while offering and leading testimonial personal development to help navigate life while partnering with an equine companion. 
  I believe that animals can be powerful and compassionate teachers and healers, helping individuals develop life skills, promote personal growth, and improve mental health and well being.

Vallerie Oehme

Director of Operations, PATH Intl.-CTRI, ESMHL, EA-EMDR Protocol, Horse Powered Reading Specialist

Co-Founder and Director of Therapeutic Services, PATH Intl.-CTRI, ESMHL, CDI, HorseWorks-Equine Assistant, EA-EMDR Protocol

Co-Founder and Executive Director
MS, LPC, NCC, ESMHL, CTRI 

  Vallerie has dedicated her life to deepening the bond between humans and horses. As co-founder of Horses of Hope Riding Center Inc., she brings decades of experience, compassion, and leadership to the field of equine-assisted services. A PATH International Registered Instructor since 1997, Vallerie has continually expanded her knowledge and skills. She became a PATH International Certified Driving Instructor in 2002 and a PATH International Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning in 2010.
  She is also trained as an Equine Specialist in EquiLateral™ Equine-Assisted EMDR Protocol and has received specialized instruction in the Masterson Method of equine massage therapy. Her work fosters healing, connection, and growth through the unique partnership between horse and human.
At the heart of her mission is the belief that Horses of Hope should be a sanctuary—a safe and welcoming space where clients, volunteers, and staff can connect, rejuvenate, and heal. Vallerie hopes everyone feels this sense of peace and belonging the moment they arrive on the farm.
  Recognized nationally, Vallerie is a sought-after presenter and consultant in the industry. Her work has been featured in prominent publications including Western Horseman, The Trail Less Traveled, Quarter Horse Journal, The Trail Rider, and Strides Magazine.

Michele (Shelly) McColm

  Shelly serves both Horses of Hope equine-assisted therapeutic farm settings in Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas. 
  Shelly comes to the therapy process with many “lived” experiences that contribute to her practice from an educational, professional, and personal stance. With an MS in Human Development and Family Services and an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and LPC licensure in Missouri, Oklahoma, and pending application in Kansas, she is fully prepared to understand and work with the needs of the individuals of all ages, families, and all types of groups in need of experiential therapy services including overall improvement toward personal growth and development, overall health and well-being. 
  Shelly offers a unique experiential mental health approach. She brings a lifelong love and extensive experience working with horses, both personally and professionally. Her passion is to bring humans and horses together to provide trauma informed, equine assisted mental health and other animal assisted therapy to this region at the Horses of Hope Farm, located in Rogersville, Missouri, just
east of Springfield, Missouri. 
  Experience the healing richness the entire farm setting has to offer, as you are surrounded by the love and connection with the horses and other farm animals in their natural farm setting… 
Why the horse? 
  Quite simply, the horse, as a prey animal, operates in-the-moment naturally and authentically offering emotional safety and trust for the client. This safe, nonjudgmental other (horse) supports safety, physiologically and psychologically for the client. This therapy process allows the client to experience the feelings of being seen, heard, valued, and loved by another being, in addition to the supportive connection of the therapist. Shelly is genuinely heart driven by the desire to be with clients as they experience a healthy relationship, learn in a safe relationship, connect in relationship, openly explore relationship, and heal in relationship with horses, the therapist, all in the comprehensive and natural landscape on the farm.
  Shelly serves as Co-Founder and the Executive Director for both Horses of Hope equine assisted therapeutic farm/ranch settings in the states of Missouri and Kansas. Shelly treasures her time with her husband and her daughter and family, especially her two precious grandsons and grand-dogs.