Thank you to our wonderful team!
All our members are an essential part of making TROtt run smoothly. Without the expertise and knowledge each individual brings to the organization, we wouldn’t be where we are today!
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is entirely volunteer based and meets once a month. The board is comprised of local community members who bring forth a wealth of knowledge from backgrounds in finance, public relations, business development, marketing and operations.
John Ross
Chair
Building on an animal science degree from the University of Guelph, John has been privileged to work with Canada’s livestock, poultry and equine sectors for almost 50 years. He has provided strategic planning, program delivery, governance and financial management guidance to a wide range of government and non-governmental organizations. This included participation on the Canadian Poultry Research Council and 4-H Canada boards of directors. He has been actively engaged as a volunteer with the Therapeutic Riding Association of Ottawa Carleton (TROtt) since 2023.
Jacquie Slavin
Board Secretary
Jacquie joined TROtt’s Board of Directors in September 2023. With a background in marketing and communications, Jacquie is currently working for a large real estate brokerage in the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario area. She has had a lifelong passion for horses and competed in show jumping for many years. TROtt felt like the perfect place to blend her professional background with the sport that has given so much to her! Jacquie is excited about TROtt’s future and to contribute to its mission.
Cilla Perry
Director
Cilla joined the TROtt Board of Directors in March 2017, having started with the program as a volunteer in the summer of 2016. It didn’t take long for her to realize that this is the perfect place to combine her life-long passion for horses with her desire to give back to the community. She enjoys every minute!
Fabian Schwarz, MD, MPH
Director
Dr. Fabian Schwarz is a family physician with global medical experience, a background in public health, and teaching experience at the University of Ottawa. He mentors medical students and internationally trained physicians, supporting initiatives to enhance primary care and community health. With expertise in primary care research, Fabian brings strategic insight to help TROtt strengthen its impact on community well-being.
Dr. Hilary Mellor
Director and Horse Committee Chair
Dr. Hilary Mellor joined the TROtt Board of Directors in 2021 and serves as Chair of the Horse Committee. The Horse Committee assists TROtt with the difficult task of finding special horses for our programs.
Prior to TROtt, Hilary enjoyed a long and rewarding career in veterinary medicine. Throughout her journey as a small animal clinician, medical director, and practice owner, Hilary gained a wealth of leadership experience and a multitude of other skills required to run a successful small business.
Hilary has served in volunteer leadership with the American Animal Hospital Association and has worked as a veterinarian with Community Veterinary Outreach. A passionate equestrian, she finds joy and fulfillment in blending her love for horses with her commitment to community.
Maria Charron
Treasurer
Maria joined TROtt’s Board of Directors in January 2025 as Treasurer. She currently works as Director, Finance at Harris Computer. Maria has 8 years of experience in financial accounting, with 6 years of experience in auditing at EY.
She grew up riding horses and values relationships with all animals, especially horses. She is excited to use her financial knowledge to assist with an organization as meaningful as TROtt.
Alison Shaker
Director
Alison is a former librarian with the Federal Government. She transitioned to family responsibilities with child and elder care and has volunteered throughout this time in a variety of organizations an roles. After serving as Secretary to the TROtt Board, Alison has recently joined the Fundraising arm and looks forward to connecting with the generous members of the local business community.
Staff
Dianne Urquhart
Executive Director
exec_dir@ottawatherapeuticriding.ca
Dianne was appointed executive director in August 2023 and is delighted to have joined “a fantastic organization.” Prior to her current role, she was with the Social Planning Council for 20 years, first as program manager and then as executive director. Throughout her career, Diane has worked in the areas of equity, inclusion, justice, community development and social policy. As a former horse owner, she is passionate about sharing the magic of horses with children, youth and adults with disabilities and ensuring TROtt’s programs reach as many people as possible.
Alanna McLennan
Volunteer Co-ordinator and Horse-Powered Reading (TM) Facilitator
volcoord@ottawatherapeuticriding.ca
Alanna came to TROtt in January 2025 after working as an Early Childhood Educator for three years. With her love of nature, animals and people, she thought TROtt would be the perfect combination of all three. Alanna’s background in education and administration has been a great support during her transition to the role of Volunteer Coordinator, and being around horses has been a bonus. Away from TROtt, you will find Alanna cycling around Ottawa, taking long walks with her dog, traveling, creating in the kitchen and spending time with friends and family.
France Laliberte
Rider Intake Co-ordinator and Instructor (CanTRA Intermediate Instructor
riderintake@ottawatherapeuticriding.ca
After 16 years as a paediatric nuclear medicine technologist, France wanted to join her passion for horses with her desire to help children and adults with disabilities. She started volunteering at TROtt in 2007. She became a CanTRA (AI) instructor in April 2009 and then a CanTRA intermediate instructor the following year. She started with the rider coordinator position in November 2021. France is also a TROtt Riding Instructor.
Judith Holman
Program Assistant
judith.h@ottawatherapeuticriding.ca
Judith joined TROtt is 2016 as a volunteer horse handler and never looked back. She volunteered for eight years before taking on her current part-time role. Judith worked in the federal public service for many years, in correspondence, speechwriting, recruitment and internal communications. She is delighted to be working at “one of her all-time favourite places” and to be connecting with riders, families volunteers and horses.
Riding Instructors – Therapeutic and Adaptive Riding
Shawna Carlton
Team Lead – Mounted Programs, Instructor and Volunteer Training Facilitator. Equestrian Canada Competition Coach, CanTRA Senior Instructor
shawna@ottawatherapeuticriding.ca
Shawna began riding at the age of 5 and has worked with horses for 25 years. She has competed in many English riding disciplines, most recently dressage. She is an Equine Canada Competition Coach, EC Rider Level Examiner and Rookie Rider Instructor. Shawna has been involved in therapeutic riding since the age of 16, when she volunteered and subsequently taught with the Lanark County Therapeutic Riding Program. She has been teaching at TROtt since 2021 and in 2024, she obtained her certification as a CanTRA senior instructor.
Andrea Stuhec-Leonard
Instructor (PATH International Certified Instructor)
Andrea joined TROtt as an instructor in 2024. Prior to teaching, Andrea was an active member of the Board including serving as Chair. Andrea is a horse owner prioritizing groundwork and relationship building with each horse. She began as a western pleasure rider and is now focused mainly on dressage. Andrea is motivated by the smiles and enthusiasm of her riders as they learn to communicate with their horses.
Nicole Meyer
Instructor (CanTRA Intermediate Instructor)
Currently on maternity leave.
Amanda Gaudet
Instructor (CanTRA Intermediate Instructor)
Anna Ribberink
Instructor (CanTRA Instructor)
Anna joined TROtt as a volunteer in 2015 and quickly re-discovered her love of horses and riding. In 2020, she tood on the role of volunteer coordinator. Building on her experience as a teacher and childcare provider, Anna became a certified CanTRA instructor in 2021. Later that same year she complete her training sa an EAL facilitator. In her words, “Working at TROtt is amazing. I love being part of the highlight of our riders’ week.”
Robbyn Seller
Instructor (CanTRA Instructor)
Robbyn is a CanTRA certified instructor and is certified as an EAL Instructor through PATH International. She joined TROtt in 2025, stepping right in to teach riding, and lead individual and group EAL and ground-based activities. She is an instructor at John Abbott College in her life outside TROtt.
Facilitators – Equine Assisted Learning
Diana Garrett
Team Lead Unmounted Programs and EAL eal@ottawatherapeuticriding.ca
Diana joined TROtt as a volunteer in early 2023. Later that year, she became the volunteer coordinator and helped to grow the program. Inspired by her experience with TROtt, Diana began riding lessons and became a certified EAL Coach with EAL Canada and in January 2025, she took on her current role. She has an extensive background working with individuals with special needs and has worked in overnight camps, group homes, inclusive recreation and relief support. Diana has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Leisure Studies from the University of Ottawa and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from Georgian College.
Laura Coburn
EAL facilitator
laura.c@ottawatherapeuticriding.ca
Laura started working at TROtt as a part-time communications advisor in January 2025 and started working as an EAL facilitator in April 2025. She has been connected to TROtt since 2018 when she leased her horse Spencer to the program. Laura has over 20 years experience in strategic communications with the federal government.
Tracey Bender
EAL facilitator and CanTRA Intermediate)
Tracey initially joined TROtt as a volunteer in 2005. Her appreciation for the organization motivated her to obtain her CanTRA intermediate Instructor certification in 2013. During her volunteer tenure, Tracey developed a profound affection for horses, leading her to take weekly riding lessons and eventually purchase her won horse. In 2023, to further nurture her passion for horses, Tracy became an Equine Assisted Personal Development Coach through EAL Canada.
Leanna Haythorne
EAL facilitator
Martha Dougherty, R.P.
EAL facilitator
Martha has been engaged in EAL work for 14 years. Her own equine learning and healing began when she was living through a challenging illness. Her horses were her companions in healing and welcomed her into their herd, where she could simply sit, breathe and enjoy their company. It was a healing journey that Martha hopes to make available to anyone who wants to grow and learn about being their best selves. Martha is a certified teacher, pastoral worker and registered psychotherapist and is trained in Facilitated Equestrian Experiential Learning, Equine Assisted Growth and Learning and EAL.
Amanda Pratt
EAL facilitator
Amanda brings her lifelong passion for both horses and healthcare to her work with TROtt. In 1997, she obtained a degree in Equine Business Management. In 2001, she transitioned into nursing and worked in medical-surgery, public health, developmental services and mental health. Amanda owns three horses and is a former hunter-jumper competitor, now focused mainly on dressage. In 2022, she obtained her Equine Assisted Learning certification. Amanda joined TROtt in 2024, where she facilitates ground-based programs to serve and support others in their journey.
Bronwyn Wearring
EAL Facilitator
A lifelong equestrian since the age of 7, Bronwyn is now an experienced equestrian coach, horse trainer and equine-assisted personal development coach, with a background in dressage and a special interest in groundwork. She works with a diverse group of 19 horses at her home farm, ranging from weanlings to a 32-year-old senior. With a deep passion for horses and how they can support human health and wellbeing, Bronwyn focuses on building strong partnerships between horses and humans, fostering personal growth through self reflection.
Ron Kok
EAL facilitator
Stable Staff
Rhonda Roberts
Barn and Equine Co-ordinator
Barn Staff
Brent Botti, Casual Barn Staff
Eilish Connors, Casual Barn Staff
Ikram Khan, Casual Barn Staff
Kirsten Larkin, Night Check and Barn Support
Administrative
Joanne Stanley
Bookkeeper
Joanne Stanley first got involved with TROtt when she donated her wonderful horse Zip to the organization’s therapeutic riding program. She took on the part-time role of bookkeeper in 2021, after retiring from a 30-year career with the City of Ottawa. For 18 years, Joanne and her husband owned and operated D&J’s Pine Ridge Ranch where they bred Appaloosas and boarded horses.