​STAR STAFF

​Lynn Klimas Petr
Lynn is STAR's founder and full-time Executive Director. She holds a BS degree in Special Education, and a MS in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Tennessee. She is an Advanced Level PATH Intl. Instructor and mentor and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Lynn is also very involved with PATH Intl. and currently sits on their Board of Trustees. 

Melissa Abbey
​Melissa is STAR's Director of Services. She holds a Masters in Marital and Family Therapy from Western Seminary in San Jose CA and is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning through PATH Intl. Before coming to STAR Melissa worked at 3 different PATH Intl. Centers in California. With nearly 30 years of experience in various forms of experiential education, Melissa is looking forward to developing new programs that fully utilize the beautiful STAR facilities at Lenoir City and South Knoxville.

Brittany Ferrell
Brittany is STAR's Program Director and is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and a certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. She holds a BS degree in Exercise Science from TN Wesleyan College and a MS degree in Recreational Therapy from the University of Tennessee. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS) and has experience working with children with Autism. She has a lifetime of experience riding and working with horses.

Kristen Sanders
Kristen is STAR's Director of Operations. She is an Advanced Level PATH Intl. Instructor and mentor. She has a BS in Marketing and a MBA degree from Tennessee Technological University. Kristen has been working in nonprofit administration for most of her career.  She is also very involved with PATH Intl.

Esther Smith
Esther is STAR's Barn Manager. She is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through PATH Intl. She received a BS in Equine Science with an emphasis in Therapeutic Riding from Rocky Mountain College in Montana. She grew up on her family grain and livestock farm in Southern Illinois and has a variety of equine and farming experience. 

Mike Smyre
Mike is STAR's Facility Manager. Mike retired and sought out a job that would allow him to spend most of his time outside. STAR was the perfect fit! He has years of home improvement and remodeling experience as well as landscaping. 

Shawn Snyder
Shawn is STAR's Development Director. He holds a Bachelors degree from Western Carolina University. Shawn came to STAR after 16 years with the Boys and Girls Club where he was the Executive Director of the Loudon County Club for 3 years. Shawn didn't grow up around horses, but he is excited to learn more and help STAR continue in its mission of Healing Through Horses.

Stephanie Studer
Stephanie is STAR’s Equine Manager. She holds an Associates degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences from Pellissippi State Community College. She has always been involved in the equine world and currently owns a horse, pony, donkey, and two goats. Stephanie is a certified Chris Irwin Trainer with a silver level standing in both groundwork and riding.

Part Time Staff

Robin Bowen
Robin teaches Heroes & Horses and is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. She has been involved with STAR since 1989, is a parent of a rider and assists with various special events. Robin is also the Area Director for Special Olympics in Loudon County. Robin was named Region 5 PATH Intl. Professional in 2016!

Ansley Cate
Ansley is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. She holds a BS degree in Exercise Science from East Tennessee State University. She started out as a vol at STAR and worked her way up to becoming an instructor. Ansley continues to improve her knowledge and horsemanship skills by riding and working with horses in her spare time. 

Jenn Gerard
Jenn is a Registered Level PATH Intl. Instructor. She holds a BA in Sign Language Interpreting and a minor in Math. She is a nationally certified sign language interpreter and currently works as a therapy assistant at Hosenfeld Chiropractic/Apple Healthcare.

Cathie Haviland
Cathie is a Registered Level PATH Intl. Instructor. She grew up on a farm in upstate New York where she showed western pleasure and did a little barrel racing. Cathie's passion for therapeutic riding started when her niece, now an adult, was diagnosed with Autism at age 3. In order to make a difference in the world of Autism, Cathie graduated from the University of Tennessee with her masters in Recreational Therapy and became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).  

Betsey Knight
Betsey is a Registered Level PATH Intl. Instructor. She has a degree in Recreation Administration with a minor in Child Development from California State University at Chico. She is a certified CHA instructor and owner/operator of Shadow Mountain Farm, a horse camp for girls.

Jan McElroy
Jan holds a BS degree in Animal Science and has shown horses on the "A" circuit for many years. She holds a PATH Intl. Advanced Level Instructor certification and is the owner/operator of Hunter Hollow Farm, a private boarding/lesson stable. Jan was also the Hunt Seat Coach of the University of Tennessee's Intercollegiate team from 1999-2008.

Laura Roberts
Laura is a Registered Level PATH Intl. Instructor.  Aside from STAR, Laura is a full time Special Education teacher. She graduated with a BS in Management and Business from Skidmore College and also earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Sacred Heart University.  Laura is originally from CT and comes to us with many years of experience riding and working with horses.