Meet Our Staff
Licensed PT/OT/SLP/SW Therapists or Assistants Help Grow Programs at Promise Ranch!
Working with children and young adults with ASD, I/DD, and other neurodiversities, our staff facilitate individual therapies and groups in social skills, life/work/recreation skills, art therapy, sibling and parent groups. Licensed Therapists with Equine Certifications are also a huge part of PRTR’s Adaptive Riding and Hippotherapy Programs.
These positions are flexible, part-time jobs to start with the opportunity to increase hours as desired. Employees of Promise Ranch enjoy a non-traditional work environment, with lots of opportunity for professional creativity!
Our Instructors and Therapists

AR Instructor & Veterans Group Facilitator
Tricia Plattner
I am a Colorado native and have lived in Douglas County since 1973. I’ve always had horses and my 1 st
horse was a little mare that spooked at everything and rarely went forward but was amazing at going
sideways and backward! I always rode on a bareback pad, and I swear that’s where I learned my
balance. I could feel what she was going to do before she did it. I was in my late 30’s before I got bucked
off! I didn’t enjoy it.
My husband of 25 years and I live on 40 acres where we have 2 old horses, 2 chatty dogs and 2 cats that
are out of control! We also raise Black Angus cattle for beef. My husband and I were 4-H leaders for over
12 years operating the DC Dally’s Roping Club. We had 8 to18 year old kids in the club. We taught
horsemanship skills and team roping and loved every minute!
My other love is sculpting. I am self-taught and work in clay and bronze. I enjoy sculpting animals and
people. I have always done smaller pieces but would love to do a life size piece. I have an art studio at
my home where I can look out my windows and watch my horses and cows and get live inspiration!
Because I need to help pay the bills, I work for the Douglas County Schools. I work with the Severe
Special Needs students at a local elementary school. I work with a great group of kids, and they always
make me smile! I have always given riding lessons but once I started working with Special Education
students, I wanted to get certified to teach the special needs children and adults. I am CRTI certified
through PATH International and teach adapted riding skills. I love having fun with my students and make
my lessons fun and innovative. This also makes it more interesting and fun for the volunteers.

Mental Health Therapist
Jeanne Floerke
I’m a licensed clinical psychologist, and specialize in working with children and families. I also have an Equine-Assisted Mental Health Certificate from the IHAC program at the University of Denver. Integrating horses into my psychotherapy practice has been a goal for me, and PRTR has made that happen!
I grew up in Parker, had a horse as an adolescent, and dreamed of being a psychologist since I was 16. Coming back to Douglas County at PRTR is exciting!
In my spare time, I enjoy any outdoor opportunities, and going on adventures with my family.

Mental Health Counselor
Janna Benkelman
My name is Janna Benkelman and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a MS in Rehabilitation Counseling. I grew up with horses and as a child had a big bay quarter horse named Denoli. Later, as an adult, my family lived in Elbert where we had four horses that we used for recreational riding and pack trips. . I come from an animal family and have always had at least two dogs at any given time. We also had one rescue cat who was my favorite! I have had numerous pet birds over the years, several whom I rescued. . My adult daughter and I currently share custody of a yellow naped Amazon parrot who has mastered about 30 words and is learning more every day. He loves the different routines in each of our homes, and is currently practicing a song! In my clinical work, I have worked with adults, teens, children, and families. For a number of years I worked on a crisis team, but for the past 25 years I have worked in a private clinical practice. I love working with kids and teens and am so excited about being able to put together my work with them and the animals at Promise Ranch! In my free time, I spend time with my pets, I love flower gardening and cooking, and I enjoy reading, skiing and travel.
Our Supported Employment Team

Employment Coordinator
Josh Roman
When I set out to obtain my degree in psychology, my original plan was to go into music therapy. A
music therapist/family friend invited me to one of her sessions so I could see first hand what it looks
like. I instantly fell in love with the IDD community and knew that’s where I belonged. I spent about four
years between different day programs, and one year in case management, before I discovered
supported employment, my true calling. I have been an ACRE certified job coach since 2021, and love
the opportunity to serve our community. I also look forward to learning more about how to best help
the folks we serve.
When I’m not job coaching, I love hiking, reading, and playing various instruments.

Barn Manager & Job Coach
Rebecca Guess
I’ve been a horse lover all my life! I was privileged to own two horses as a teenager/young adult. They taught me a whole lot about being human and kept me grounded when I was diagnosed with depression. My brother was a client at a therapeutic riding center that has long since moved locations, so I spent a lot of time volunteering just down the road from Promise Ranch (it’s funny how life brings you full circle sometimes). I haven’t been as close to horses as I’d like in the last decade, but I’ve tried to keep in touch by working at barns and volunteering at places like Promise Ranch. I am a mother to a 4-year-old son, Luke, in whom I hope to instill a love of all things horses, and a happy wife to my husband Drew. I am currently majoring in biology at the Community College of Denver and I hope to one day be an Equine Nutritionist.
Our Admin and Support Staff

People Coordinator
Shannon Forslund
Shannon brings a unique skill set to Promise Ranch as a mother of 5, including 2 neurodiverse children. She values the services we offer and has witnessed the healing that takes place in this magical setting. Her understanding of the daily challenges and celebrations of raising wonderfully neurodiverse children, as well as the complexities involved in meeting these children’s needs drew her to Promise Ranch. As a substitute teacher for Douglas County School District, she specialized in special education where she and her students looked forward to their time together. Shannon has lived in Parker, CO with her husband and kids for the past 23 years and is involved in the community. As a dedicated member of the community, she is anxiously engaged in her volunteer leadership position in her church’s women’s organization. Shannon is excited to continue to build relationships and further the mission of Promise Ranch.

Social Media Coordinator
Kim Strickland
Kim is a speech-language pathologist currently staying home with her 2 young children. She has always enjoyed pictures and videos, so she found a new hobby running our social media. She has been volunteering with PHR for over a year, and she joined our team in April 2023. She is excited to create more windows for the world to be able to see the magic that happens at the ranch.
Our Facility, Barn & Equine Team

Barn Manager & Job Coach
Rebecca Guess
I’ve been a horse lover all my life! I was privileged to own two horses as a teenager/young adult. They taught me a whole lot about being human and kept me grounded when I was diagnosed with depression. My brother was a client at a therapeutic riding center that has long since moved locations, so I spent a lot of time volunteering just down the road from Promise Ranch (it’s funny how life brings you full circle sometimes). I haven’t been as close to horses as I’d like in the last decade, but I’ve tried to keep in touch by working at barns and volunteering at places like Promise Ranch. I am a mother to a 4-year-old son, Luke, in whom I hope to instill a love of all things horses, and a happy wife to my husband Drew. I am currently majoring in biology at the Community College of Denver and I hope to one day be an Equine Nutritionist.

Barn Attendant
Sarah Puckett
I’m Sarah, one of the barn attendants at the ranch. I have been riding and around horses for over 20 years. I am also a licensed physical therapist assistant practicing here in Colorado. Our mission at the ranch is a true passion of mine. I’m so happy to be a part of our amazing team and feel lucky to be able to take care of our wonderful equine partners.