​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. 

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 has been a PATH Registered Instructor since 2010 and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning since 2012. 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.

Judy Bludworth
Judy is STAR's Administrative Coordinator. She has over 25 years of experience in accounting, purchasing, training, performance metrics and more than 12 years of managerial experience in small and mid-cap companies. Judy has several years of experience working with horses.

Jennifer Burkhardt
Jennifer is STAR'S Equine Manager. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with majors in Child and Family Studies and Psychology. She owns a Thoroughbred and has been riding and working with horses for many years. She is also a certified Chris Irwin Trainer with a bronze level standing in groundwork.

Julia Cronin
Julia is STAR's Volunteer Coordinator. She received a BS in Biology and an MS in Comparative Biomedical Science from UGA. Julia has several years of experience riding and working with horses including eventing. She currently owns a one eyed quarter horse named spirit.

John DeVault
John is STAR’s Facility Manager. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BS in Human Ecology with an emphasis in Child and Family Studies. John also has several years of experience working on his family farm.

Brittany Ferrell
Brittany is STAR's Program Director and is a Registered Level PATH Intl. 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.

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 Barn 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 two horses and one pony. 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. Registered Level 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 Registered Level PATH Intl. 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. 

Cathy Dolson
Cathy is STAR's Veteran Coordinator. She is a registered Level PATH Intl. Instructor and a certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. She pursued a BS in Business Management from Fairfield University. A former C2 level Pony Clubber, Cathy has several years of experience riding and working with horses.

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 20 years old, 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, 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.

Kim Palmer-Lynch
Kim is a certified Registered Level PATH Intl. Instructor. She has taught therapeutic riding lessons in Maryland, Florida, and Tennessee while pursuing her certification. Kim has worked with adults and children with various challenges in their home, place of employment, and at the barn for several years. She is a former Preliminary Level 3-Day Eventer, a working student for an Olympic 3-day Eventer, and a C-3 Level Pony Clubber.

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.

Megan VanSon
Megan is a Registered Level PATH Intl. Instructor. She holds a BBA in Marketing and Management with a minor in Sociology from the University of Kentucky. She started out as a volunteer at STAR and worked her way up to becoming an instructor while studying in Lexington.  Megan trains, competes, and coaches horses and riders in 3-day eventing with a focus on off the track Thoroughbreds.