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 Laliberté
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 (Instructor and Volunteer Training Facilitator, CanTRA Intermediate Instructor, Horse Powered Reading® Facilitator)
Currently on maternity leave.
Nicole has been riding since the age of 6, both English jumper and dressage. She volunteered with TROtt for several years before becoming a CanTRA instructor, obtaining her intermediate certification in the fall of 2013. Getting to work with and know so many great people from the volunteers to the riders and their families is a highlight of the job for Nicole. During the week, she is a Communication Disorders Assistant (Speech and Language) in Ottawa schools, where she works with students with speech and language delays and disorders as well as non-verbal students who use communication devices.
Amanda Gaudet
Instructor (CanTRA Intermediate Instructor)
Amanda has been part of the TROtt organization for almost 15 years. She began as a volunteer and then worked through her CanTRA certification to become an instructor in the riding program. She enjoys the opportunity to combine her two passions: teaching and horses. Amanda is a full-time kindergarten teacher and works with TROtt in the evenings and on weekends. She spends her spare time learning from and training with her own hunter jumper horse, Tinkerbel. Amanda looks forward to having fun and building confidence in the riders she teaches here at TROtt.
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
EAL facilitator 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. 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.
Leanna Haythorne
EAL facilitator
A life-long horse lover, Leanna was born and raised in Alberta, where she attended agriculture college and spent time working as a ranch hand, horse trainer and riding instructor. She moved to Ottawa in 2000 and, after the busy years of working and raising a family, found her way back to horses and began volunteering at TROtt in 2017. Amazed by the ability of these beautiful, heart-centred creatures to fill us with a sense of peace and awareness, she pursued certification with the Equine Growth and Learning Association (EGALA) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) Canada.
Leanna works for the federal government in the field of conflict resolution. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta, is a trained mediator, a certified life coach and yoga instructor.
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
Rhonda joined TROtt in 2018. She first became involved with horses through her daughter, who had a love for horses from the time she was able to walk. In 2012, her husband bought a horse, Roper, as a surprise for their daughter and the rest was history. Within a few months, Rhonda had own horse, Melody, and set about learning all she could about horse care from vets, farriers, other horse people, seminars and on her own. Since then, there have been several more horses added to the mix, so the adventure into the horse world continues!
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.