At Horses of Hope the staff has more than 100 years of combined experience in the field. Our therapeutic riding instructors are all certified or are in-training through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH INTL). The majority of the Horses of Hope staff members are at Level 1 certification through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, and continue to grow professionally through continuing education opportunities.
Shelly McColm- Founder & Executive Director
MS, LPC, NCC, ESMHL, CTRI
McColm brings nearly 30 years of experience to Horses of Hope. In the world of therapeutic riding, she is sought as a presenter and speaker on a national level. McColm is a two-time graduate of Kansas State University with master’s degrees in human development and family studies. McColm is educationally prepared to fully understand and work with the needs of the clients, their families, volunteers, and the staff in the many programmatic offerings at Horses of Hope, including certification completion. Preparedness met opportunity as the many years served as a Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist and an Educational Cooperative Specialist experiences supported her commitment to co-found and develop the successful therapeutic riding program – Horses of Hope Riding Center Inc. nearly ten years ago. McColm has a commitment to provide unique, innovative and invaluable programming while helping people of all ages and bringing enhancement and enrichment to local communities.
Vallerie Oehme- Co Founder Equine Service Director
CTRI, HorseWorks, ESMHL, EMDR Protocol
Sweeton has committed her life to exploring the connections between human and horse. She is the co-founder of Horses of Hope Riding Center Inc. She has been a PATH registered instructor since 1997 and a PATH certified driving instructor since 2002. She has obtained the Level 1 Certification with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. She is sought as a presenter on a national level and has consulted and appeared in numerous national publications such as: Western Horseman, The Trail Less Traveled, Quarter Horse Journal and The Trail Rider. Part of her desire and commitment to improve Horses of Hope involved going back to school to earn an associate degree as a physical therapist assistant. Sweeton earned her degree in July 2007 and currently holds a permanent license as well as being an American Hippotherapy Level 1 Therapist. Her college studies included how the horses’ movement normalizes the movement of a person with movement dysfunction.
Mycah McColm-Hopkins- Director of Operations Kansas & Missouri
CTRI, HorseWorks, ESHML, EMDR Protocol, Horse Powered Reading
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. I believe that 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-therapy by helping expand their knowledge of facilitation and specialized work with horses and animals.
Personal Mission Statement: Loving and accepting people where they are while offering and leading testimonial leadership to help navigate life.
Successful experiences with horses and animals as a learner, educator, guide and facilitator. I have the following PATH certifications-CTRI and ESMHL. Recently, I acquired the training to help provide Equine Assisted EMDR EquiLateral Protocol as a trained equine specialist and have started a Horse Power Reading Facilitator certificate to be completed by mid August.
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.
Shannon Stewart
Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Experiential Education Specialist
Shannon Stewart was born in Hampton, VA and spent 40 years living in Southeastern Arizona before moving to Bolivar, Missouri in September of 2013. She began taking riding lessons at the age of 4 in Tucson, AZ and has been riding horses ever since. She got her first horse at the age of 8 and joined 4-H at the age of 9. She began her 10 year horseshow career at the age of 10 in the Paint Horse circuit, as well as showing in open circuit and 4-H shows. She began instructing and training professionally at the age of 20 and in 2008 was certified as a P.A.T.H Int’l Registered Instructor. In March of 2013 she earned her Mind Body Wellness Practitioner diploma and is a certified holistic nutritionist, life coach, and hypnotherapist. She has served as the Missouri Coordinator, and is the Grant Coordinator for both the KS and MO facilities.
Heaven Whorton- Equine Service Specialist
CTRI, OTA, COTA
Heaven Whorton and I am an Occupational Therapy Assistant, in training to be a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor here at Horses of Hope, KS. I am married to Josh, and we have two children, Addison (Addi, 12) and JoLeigh (Jo, 7). We have four horses of our own and 3 dogs. I am so excited to be at HoH and work with all of these wonderful horses and people! I’ve been waiting most of my life to have an opportunity such as this one and I am so thankful to be here.
Sarah Oglesby- Equine Service Speclist
CTRI
This full-time staff member is a PATH Int’l Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. She has been a lifetime horse owner and began her journey with Horses of Hope as a volunteer for six years. She has also worked as a vet med technician. Sarah brings to the HOH staff a passion and dedication for working with people and animals of all ages and all abilities. Her background in providing skilled care for small animals and equine enables her to see the importance of the animal/human bond.
Jessica Naaykens- Herd Support Specialist
ESMHL
This young lady has truly grown up loving and riding horses and now working at Horses of Hope, all over fifteen years. She started with us as a summer camper, moved into therapeutic riding lessons, onto the Show Team Hope and for the past several years, as a young woman, has worked part time for Horses of Hope. She serves as a “right hand girl” to Vallerie, doing many critical jobs on the farm with horses and horse care, and within the therapeutic program, with horses, riders and volunteers. Jessie was a very successful Show Team HOPE competitor, serving as the most winning Rider with Disabilities on the national level for many years.