Maria grew up in the Tri-Cities, but was educated in the Bible Belt of Oklahoma as a registered nurse. Maria has been married for twenty-eight years and has a twenty-seven, twenty-six, and thirteen year old. She returned to the mighty Pacific Northwest with her family in 2006, with a horse in tow, to be closer to her family. Fun fact: that horse is TROT’s beloved Cowboy. She decided to pursue an advanced degree in family practice at WSU and now can happily identify as a Mighty WSU Cougar. She loves exploring the Columbia River with her family,camping outdoors, and various sports. She is currently a provider of preventative health care in Tri-Cities as a nurse practitioner. She has also maintained a registered nurse license for thirty years in advocating for best health care in hospitals across the country. She is honored to be a part of TROT because she will never forget the influence of the miraculous therapy horses that she met in Oklahoma and Texas. She loves horses and helping those that may require specialized care or are in need of any individualized mental or physical health services. Maria ultimately looks forward to serving the community through TROT as an advocate for anyone in need.

Jessica is a native of Southeastern Washington, born and educated in the tight-knit communities of Walla Walla and Waitsburg. Her background includes a BS in Accounting, nineteen years in finance, and different Treasurer roles on various boards in Walla Walla and Richland, WA. Family is important to her, so when her husband was offered a dream job opportunity “down the road” in the Tri-Cities area, she knew that change was inevitable for her family of four, (six if you count their dogs). She’s always enjoyed volunteering on boards and committees,especially if it involved her two sons. As her boys got older, she found that she had more time on her hands to seek out her own interests. A lucky opportunity arose for Jessica to volunteer at TROT as a side walker and she’s been addicted ever since! She is eager to help TROT succeed and is looking forward to its continued growth.

Gary has been Finance Director for Senior Life Resources NW Inc. since 2023after over 20 years in various roles within the hospice industry. He holds degrees in both Accounting and Finance and has worked at the state and regional level in improving access to quality care. He enjoys serving on local non-profit boards to provide important services in our community.

A long-time resident of the Tri-Cities, Debbie retired in December 2021 from a 30-yearcareer with Lamb-Weston. She worked in various departments along the way including,finance, customer service, accounts payable and supply chain. Debbie and her husband,Larry, have five children and 10 grandchildren (all of which live in the Tri-Cities). TROT became a passion of Debbie’s while working at Lamb Weston. Lamb Weston employees did volunteer work for TROT and later the company became a major sponsor of TROT’s Main Event. Debbie’s time is spent helping run grand kids around for various reasons,working as a part-time contractor in the HR department for Lamb Weston, camping in the spring/summer months and just enjoying life! She is grateful and blessed to be apart of TROT’s team.

Barb was born in Pendleton, OR which is where she believes her lifelong love of horses came from. She love hearing the “clip-clip” of their hooves hitting the street or listening to them neigh as they passed by. Even before she owned a horse, she always managed to find somebody else who was happy to let her visit or ride. At the age of 27, her dreams finally came true and she got her own horse. Her first horse was a three year old mare. When she was four, she gave birth to a beautiful filly. Her mare lived to the ripe old age of thirty-two and her daughter until the age of thirty-six. Barb says she was blessed to have them in her life and brought much comfort and healing in my life’s journey. A year or so before her last horse passed, she heard about TROT at a presentation. The mission of TROT resonated in her heart and she knew this was an organization she wanted to support, especially in retirement. Barb says TROT has filled a hole in my heart and brings her great joy to participate in helping to bring horse and rider together in such healing ways.

Vicki grew up in California and has worked with TROT in a supportive role sinceits inception. Their therapy successes inspired her to become a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs of the Dessert. She currently works with Ruby, her registered therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International. In the non-profit sector, she was Vice President on the founding board of the Community Foundation in Grand Terrace. She served as 1st and 3rd Vice President and Treasurer for the Grand Terrace Woman’s Club. Her business consultant career started in the1980’s, when she combined her computer science degree with an MBA. She was part of the Claremont Graduate University and Cornell team in her graduate research in remote work environments. She has been adjunct faculty in the Cal Poly and Cal State system. She volunteers with her Captain’s license at the Antique Boat Museum in the Thousand Islands region where her and her husband summer with their family.

Nikki has a background in education and nonprofit management. She worked for an equine-assisted therapeutic program in western Oregon for several years, in various roles, and is excited to help support TROT. Nikki has spent a few sessions here at TROT as an instructor for our Adaptive Riding Program.

Cynthia grew up in Chicago but moved to Tri-Cities in 2000. Cynthia has been a Speech/Language pathologist for over 40 years. She has worked with all ages,in all settings, across all levels of care to help people with communication disorders. Her love of animals and therapeutic skills prompted her to start the first therapeutic riding facility in Tri-Cities, WA! With the help of her benefactor,Dr. Lawrence Dubose, and the support of her husband and daughter, TROT launched in 2014. For 13 years, she utilized her beloved therapy dog, Camry in her services in the Tri-Cities community and at TROT. So many people have volunteered their time, talents, and resources to make this dream a reality and are held with deep gratitude for being a part of the tapestry of TROT. Watching her dream up fold and grow to help change lives and bring joy to those involved in this organization is her biggest reward. In her free time, she enjoys making memories with family, hiking, walks on the beach, and spending time with her beloved therapy horses, Cocoa and Cowboy. Cynthia is a Level 1 CHA certified instructor, Level 1 AHA certified instructor, and is a member of PATH Intl.

Jeff is a proud native of Tri-Cities, where he has established deep roots over the span of 50 years. With a diverse range of expertise spanning various industries, he has notably dedicated two decades to the non-profit sector. During his impact fultenure as a Director at Columbia Industries, Jeff not only demonstrated exceptional leadership within a non-profit context, but also spearheaded the success of their For-Profit divisions, thereby contributing to the organization’s overarching mission.

Jeff’s dedication to community service is deeply woven into his identity, reflecting acore value that guides his actions. With a steadfast partner in his wife of 22 years,Tammy, and a loving family of 3 children and 5 grandchildren, Jeff’s personal life mirrors his commitment to building strong and nurturing relationships. The presence of a granddaughter with a disability has further fueled his passion for making apositive impact, making his involvement with TROT a seamless and meaningful fit.

Tanya has been a proud supporter since TROT was only a twinkle in Cynthia’s eye. She was on the original board and is constantly delighted by how this dream has become a reality and continues to expand and serve. Tanya is at home in Genesee, Idaho after working in various locations throughout Europe and the US. She claims a diversity of occupations and especially enjoys working with startup businesses. In addition to other ventures, she co-founded Agriculture Development Group/Schreiber & Sons in Tri-Cities and continues to invest her time and resources in new endeavors.

Kristy grew up with her family in Grande Ronde Valley in Oregon. She opened her first business in Hermiston, OR – a Sears Catalog and retail Store at the age of twenty. Honing her business and administrative skills over the years, she discovered her passion for the Ag Industry as an Owner/Operator of the family run winery, C.R. Sandidge Wines, which began in Zillah, WA. Adding to her repertoire, Kristy became a Business Consultant in 2002, realizing that her love of learning and helping others could go hand in hand. She is also the Practice Manager for Animal Clinic East in Walla Walla, WA. Kristy is a voracious reader and crochets hats year-round which she donates to various service groups.Kristy lives in Kennewick with her husband Casey and two rescue dogs, Maiya and Burnie. They have four children between them, ranging in age from 24-36and one seven year-old granddaughter. TROT has been a new passion since 2020 and she is excited for the growth that is happening, the lives touched, and the overall commitment of the board, staff, and volunteers.

Andrea graduated in 1998 from Washington State University, receiving a Bachelors’s degree in Social Sciences with a minor concentration in Communications. Andrea is a Real Estate agent/broker at Windermere Group One in the Greater Tri-Cities. She has been with them since 2015. Her business/sales employment history has afforded her to work in technology and pharmaceutical sales markets for 16 years prior to entering Real Estate. Andrea is one of the founding members of Modern Living Services. Her MLS passion starts with working together with dedicated volunteers who have a like mind in wanting to provide and facilitate long term affordable housing and special services that help go to support independent living options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Andrea is married to Tom Mallonee, and together they have two children. Her eldest child, Lindsey, has intellectual disabilities and is now 27 years old and lives in her home with a roommate, but as independently as possible with the help of support staff. Her son Sean 21, is currently attending Waldorf University in Forest City North Iowa. Andrea and Tom became Grandparents in May of 2020 to a beautiful little boy, Sullivan Mallonee, son to Sean & Cade. Andrea enjoys her Real Estate career and helping families find homes, and in her leisure time, she enjoys playing ball with her two dogs Cooper & Camry, and being on the golf course with good friends!