Equine Manager and Instructor

Nickole Aubuchon

PATH CTRI

I started riding horses when I was 10 years old on a family camping trip to Yosemite. I never gave horses much thought before that, but I haven’t been able to quit thinking about them since then. I showed hunter/jumpers as a teenager and worked as a wrangler on a dude ranch in California. I quit riding when I graduated high school and went into the Air Force where I spent the next ten years traveling all over the world. I wasn’t around horses again until 2009 when I started volunteering at a therapeutic riding center for their veterans group. I was hooked from the first day. I volunteered, became a barn worker, moved on to training the therapy horses and got certified as an instructor in 2013. Nothing gives me more joy than being able to teach people how to gain confidence from horses. I currently own four horses. Three of them are retired therapy horses who are living the good life with me in Black Forest. I also have a dressage horse who I hope to compete, that I train and board in Larkspur. I am also a certified equine massage therapist. When I’m not with horses, I enjoy hiking, reading and spending time with my husband and dog.

Instructor

Sharon Tiraschi

PATH CTRI, CHA certified riding instructor

Sharon is both a PATH Intl., and CHA certified riding instructor with over 25 years of horse experience as a student, teacher, horse owner, and trainer. She began working in the field of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies in 2002 and has since worked in a variety of programs across California and Colorado. Sharon currently lives in Foxfield with her husband, and three, four-legged ‘kids’. When she’s not at the barn (work or home), she loves to spend time with family and friends, watch football and baseball, read, dance, sing, walk her dog, and otherwise enjoy life!

Programs Manager

Danielle Braman

Clinical Manager, Occupational Therapist, MSOT, AHA

I am super excited to join the team at Promise Ranch! Ever since I was little, I have wanted to “do therapy on horses”. Having the opportunity to work with clients AND horses is a dream come true! I am an Ohio native. I attended graduate school in St Louis at Washington University in St Louis.

I worked at my other dream job, “St Jude Children’s Research Hospital” in Memphis, TN where I met my husband. We moved to Colorado in 2016.  I have additional certifications in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) and Yoga Therapy which I incorporate into my therapy.  When not working, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband, daughter and puppy.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Kaity Glicini

I am so excited to join the PRTR team! I graduated from Pima Medical Institute with my OTA degree in November 2019 and am thrilled to use my degree to work with children while doing hippotherapy. I started riding horses when I was 7 years old, and have been obsessed ever since. I have owned 2 horses, and my current horse Kola joined me at the ranch to begin her journey as a therapy horse.

I also have worked daycare for the past 4 years so I have lots of experience with kids of all ages.

When I’m not working, I love riding horses, hiking, relaxing in nature, swimming, and spending time with my family.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Andrea Willmann

My name is Andrea and I’m super excited to be a part of the PRTR team! I grew up in Colorado and have loved horses and the outdoors my whole life. I graduated with my Bachelors in Political Science from CU Denver in 2011, and decided to go back to school for Occupational Therapy in 2013, finishing up an Associates in Occupational Therapy in 2015. I am a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and have worked in pediatrics for over 5 years. When I’m not at Promise Ranch, I can usually be found swimming, hiking, frequenting Starbucks, or enjoying the Colorado sun with my husband and our little beagle.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

LeEtta Klink

I am excited to be part of the wonderful PRTR team. I have worked as an occupational therapy assistant in the pediatric field for the last five years. In that time I have worked with many diagnosis in a clinic and home health care setting. I have completed my level 2 of Hippotherapy, and volunteered at local stables. Including Hippotherapy while providing OT for kids is the best part of my job. Nothing os more satisfying than watching kids grow, and progress to meet their goals while being in a fun, functional setting. I am continuing my education in the social work field, where I will continue to advocate and work with kids.

In my down time, I love to be with my family. Hiking, camping, biking, traveling and yoga are my favorite things to do. I feel so lucky to live in Colorado where we get to explore and enjoy this beautiful state.

Veterans Group Facilitator

Stacey Green

Stacey moves to Colorado, with her family, two dogs, and three horses when her husband was stationed at Ft. Carson. Although they are originally from Kentucky, they have lived in many states during her husband’s military career and have fallen in love with Colorado.

Stacey has volunteered with therapeutic riding and equine assisted psychotherapy programs for the last several years. As a result, she’s been both lucky and honored to work with and learn from veterans, children, many other equine professionals, and, of course, a variety of  very special horses. In the past, she has worked as a victim advocate and a crisis responder in both a hospital and a safe house for families affected by domestic violence.

Stacey received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kentucky in 1987 and earned her PATH International certification as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning in 2019.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Jill Carlson

Hi! My name is Jill Carlson. I recently moved to Colorado from Chicago, where I received my Masters degree in Communication Disorders from Governors State University. I have four years’ experience working with school-age students with a variety of diagnoses (K-12) and young adults in a transition program (18-22 years), as well as the geriatric community in the medical setting.

I particularly enjoy working with children/adolescents and their families in the areas of pragmatic language, receptive/expressive language, articulation, and AAC. I am passionate about building positive relationships with families, as well as incorporating holistic and evidence-based interventions into therapy.

When I am not at work, I enjoy hiking and camping with my family. I am always happy to start a new adventure and I found that at Promise Ranch!

Social Worker

Brynn Wiessner

Brynn Wiessner is a Licensed Social Worker who graduated from the University of Denver with her Masters in Social Work, focusing on Positive Youth Development, School Social Work, and Animal-Assisted Social Work. She is also a PATH certified Registered Level Instructor who came to Promise Ranch looking to combine her interest and background in horses and experiential learning/ therapy with the field of mental health and counseling. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings, including residential and day treatment, public and charter schools, outdoor schools, and summer camps.

Brynn currently works as a school social worker in Aurora Public Schools and at Promise Ranch providing experiential based, Equine-Assisted Mental Health and Counseling Services. When not at work she can often be found out hiking with her dog Java, playing guitar, rock

Mental Health Counselor

Canna O’Carroll

Canna acquired her Masters in Clinical Mental Health through the University of Colorado, Denver and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional through ITTI. She has a passion for creating a non-judgmental safe space where people feel comfortable, supported, accepted and validated. She works with teens and adults struggling with a variety of mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, addiction, chronic stress, chronic health issues, relational difficulties and life transitions.

Canna specializes in working with individuals who suffer from trauma, grief and loss, PTSD and Bipolar Disorder. As a Veteran herself, she is passionate about the mental health care of our Veteran population and is committed to suicide prevention work.

In her free time Canna loves to be outdoors with her dogs, her horse and her husband. She is an avid reader, loves to travel and experience new cultures.

Social Worker

Pamela Highfill

Pamela Highfill is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Denver. She has over 20 years of therapeutic experience working with children, adolescents and young adults. She has worked in a variety of settings including criminal justice, community mental health and public schools. Pamela has significant experience working with children with cognitive disabilities, as well as an extensive background working with issues such as anxiety, depression, relationships, life transitions, mood problems, and grief and loss.

Focusing on thoughts and behaviors, she employs a variety of therapeutic techniques to match individual needs. She utilizes a strength based approach in a respectful and empathetic environment for clients to explore their issues and develop coping skills. Her use of humor, calmness, and keen insight promote a distinctive style that resonates with clients from varying backgrounds and disabilities.

In her free time, Pamela loves to be outdoors on warm days with her family and friends. She enjoys camping, traveling, and game night.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Erin Wray

Erin Wray has been practicing speech therapy since 2008. She graduated from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa with Bachelors of Arts minor in Social Welfare and Masters in Communication Disorders. She continued at the University of Alabama as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Communicative Disorders Department and assisted multicultural projects, assisted with the pediatric Sickle Cell clinics, and in-house preschool program for children with Autism. She is Vital Stim certified and has been a clinical fellowship supervisor. She lives in Parker with her family.

Instructor

Lexie Glisson

Hi! I am currently working towards my MSW at the University of Denver concentrating in
family systems with a school social work certification and an interest in the human-animal
connection. I also work with the nonprofit yoga for the people, where I teach free yoga classes
and match yoga teachers to sites within the community that wouldn’t ordinarily be able to access
yoga. In the fall of 2021, I will also be working with Littleton Options middle school which is
an alternative school with a heavy focus on emotional well-being for students who have been or
are “at-risk” of expulsion. I received my 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2020 and my PATH
CTRI in 2018.
My love for horses began the moment I was born where I grew up riding hunter/jumper horses at
my mothers’ barn, taught lessons and trained professionally on the show circuit. After many
injuries and self-discovery, my passion around horses has now shifted towards a more
therapeutic approach. I incorporate my yoga and movement training with a mindfulness
framework, equine experience, social work education, my love for community and passion for
empowering others into my work.
When I am not working or in school, you can find me hiking, snowboarding, practicing yoga, at
a festival or music event, participating in transformational workshops or retreats, and mostly
hanging out with my Australian Shepherd Maia dog.