MEET THE TEAM
Our Two-Legged Team Members
SHANNA DOZIER
Founder & Executive Director
Therapeutic Riding Instructor, PATH INTL.
Shanna has a passion to see Bridges' grow and help as many families as possible. Her dedication to the program since 2007 has ensured that it is a constant resource for those in need for North West Arkansas and beyond.
She has over 25 years experience working with horses, is currently working on her Master's degree at John Brown University for Marriage and Family Therapy with an emphasis in Play Therapy and is certified with PATH, Intl. as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Her upmost priority is keeping the non-profit and it's programs held to the highest standards in professionalism. She is married with two young boys, Haven and Leo, which love coming to the stables with her!
DAVID HELM
Equine Specialist and Faculty Director
David has recently retired with 36 years of manufacturing leadership. He has had a relationship with horses since he was a toddler. He started his Natural Horsemanship journey 20 years ago after seeing a horse being beaten for refusing to load into a trailer. His thoughts were, "there has to be a better way."
Since then he has spent time with Dennis Reis and Chris Cox to gain that horsemanship knowledge. David has volunteered his expertise for Equestrian Bridges in the training and development of our Therapy Horse team for over 15 years, he has now decided to join the organization full time and we are blessed to have him.
TYLER PATTERSON
Equine Care Director
Ty was born and raised in Southeast Oklahoma on a small ranch with cattle, horses, goats, sheep, dogs, and cats. He worked for the local veterinarian with large and small animals through high school before going to Oklahoma State University and earning a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science.
Currently Ty is pursuing a Master's Degree in Animal Science from the University of Arkansas. He enjoys the day to day work with the horses and interacting with all of the people that come to Equestrian Bridges.
SALLIE ELDERTON
Equine Care Assistant Director
Sallie is 21-years-old and recently graduated with an associates degree in science. She is currently working toward becoming a PATH, Intl. therapeutic riding instructor. She was practically born on top of a horse and has been riding ever since. Sallie was seven she became involved with EB. We have watched Sallie grow into the sweet, kind young professional she is today!
As the Equine Care Assistant Director, she rides and keeps the horses in tip-top shape for sessions. In the future, Sallie hopes to become PATH certified and a therapeutic riding instructor for EB.
Alisha Jones
Therapeutic Riding Instructor, PATH INTL.
Alisha is an Arkansas native who recently moved from Aspen, Colorado. She was raised on a horse farm in Northeast Arkansas by her grandparents where she grew up competing in rodeos and showing in western pleasure. She believes strongly in the use of natural horsemanship and has been trained in both the English and Western disciplines.
Alisha is an internationally certified therapeutic riding instructor and has been serving the special needs community for 7 years now. She has had the opportunity to work with not only individuals with special needs, but the foster child population as well in some pretty spectacular locations including Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Aspen, Colorado; and the Grand Cayman Islands.
Alisha is so excited to be back in her home state of Arkansas, and is calling Equestrian Bridges her dream team and forever home.
Our Two-Legged Interns
Laykyn Rainbolt
Communications Intern
Laykyn is a senior at the University of Arkansas double majoring in Animal Science and Agricultural Communications. She is 23-years-old and from Marshall, Arkansas where she grew up on her families registered Angus cattle operation.
She became a volunteer at Equestrian Bridges in 2021 and immediately fell in love with the program, clients, and staff (both four and two legged). She is continually amazed by the effects of equine-assisted therapies and is dedicated to helping Equestrian Bridges reach more families in the area.
HONEY
The Sweetheart
Honey seeks out attention and is the first to come to her paddock fence to get loving touches. She is charismatic with all people and animals she encounters.
BEBE
The Sass-A-Frass
Bebe is clever, speedy, and always trying to challenger her teammates to be the best they can be! Her hobbies include pulling carts and eating delicious flowers.
GOLIATH
The Not-So-Big Giant
Goliath is spunky to the MAX. He has a fun horsenality and loves to be the cheerleader for the group.
Our Mini Four-Legged Team Members
FIBBER
Mr. Chill
Fibber is calm, confident, and easy-going. Fibber has been a therapy horse since the organization was founded. He is "Mr. Chill" and is most known for his beautiful palomino coat.
CHLOE
The Mother Hen
Chloe is our alpha-mare! She is witty, smart, and what she says goes. Her favorite color is yellow and she loves basking in the sun.
BLUE
The Rockstar
Blue is our second smallest therapy horse at EB. He also enjoys being a travel companion with trips to nursing homes. the U of A, and more! He is friendly energy and tolerance to all people and situations make him easy to get along with.
STAR
The Little Princess
Star has an energetic and playful horsenality. As the youngest and smallest of our miniature therapy horses, Star is our "star" travel companion. You may find her strutting down Dickson or even on- air at KNWA News.
NEWT
The Movie Star
Newt starred in the movie "Lonesome Dove" as an extra! Newt was donated by "Cowboy" Phil Moore after the pair walked the Trail of Tears. Newt is happy to have landed a great gig at EB, and we are honored to have such a star.
CHANCE
The Gentle Giant
Chance is ambitious and loves to go on adventures or rides. He adores attention along with any nose pets he can get! Chance works well with all of our different clients and especially makes an awesome team with children.
MAGNUM
The Curious One
Magnum is the curious George of the group! He loves being close to people and getting all the attention. In addition to being a cuddle bug, he also loves exploring everything around him!
FROSTY
The Elder
Frosty is the oldest member of our therapy horses. He LOVES the camera and attention. He is the most photogenic out of all the therapy horses- ready to strike a pose at any time. Frosty is best known for giving amazing horse hugs.
DUSTY
The New Kid on the Block
Dusty is our newest member of our therapy horses. He is sweet, loving, and loves meeting new people!
GRACIE
The Bachelorette
Gracie is the only mare of the group. She has charisma, willfulness, and a positive attitude. She will often seek people out for attention and a loving touch.
TUFFY
The Smarty Pants
Tuffy is an extrovert, having an exuberant, willful and intelligent demeanor. He is extremely perceptive to body language and has been trained for liberty styles of riding and groundwork by our own, David Helm.