Our Staff
Teresa Fletcher
Executive Director
Leading our Pegasus TRA program is Teresa Doherty. Teresa holds dual degrees in equine science and psychology from Rocky Mountain College. Innovative with our programs and passionate about our riders, Teresa has expanded and implemented many new programs and initiatives for Pegasus TRA. She works tirelessly to ensure our horses are healthy and happy in our lesson program. In addition to teaching, leading community programs and overseeing a growing horse show team, Teresa has co-authored the Pegasus Equine Strategic Plan at Pegasus that she will be presenting at the 2019 PATH International Conference in November. Teresa holds a PATH therapeutic riding instructor certification, a PATH certification for Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, and is a PATH International Mentor. She is also an adjunct professor at Delaware Valley University. To contact Teresa please email her: Teresa@PegasusPhilly.org
Kevin Lewis
Operations Director
Kevin was first introduced to Pegasus TRA through the Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) as a freshman in high school. His devotion to our riders and staff was cultivated across multiple positions within the organization, eventually leading to his current role as Operations Director nearly a decade later. Kevin graduated from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, with a minor in Health Policy. Throughout his time at Temple, he held numerous leadership positions that strengthened his passion for serving his community and improving the lives of others. In addition to his administrative role, he is pursuing his PATH CTRI and looks forward to continuously building upon the restructuring of Pegasus. To contact Kevin please email him: Kevin@pegasusphilly.org
Ryan Frech
Equine Director & Summer Program Director
Ryan joined Pegasus as a volunteer and quickly developed a passion for horses and our Pegasus community. He is a former Pegasus volunteer of the year, and a recent graduate of Delaware Valley University where he earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Equine Management. He also helps represent our program during outings, volunteer work days, and community events. His easy-going manner during lessons allows for riders to quickly develop a trusting relationship and a lasting friendship. Ryan is a PATH Certified Instructor. To contact Ryan please email him: Ryan@PegasusPhilly.org
Kylie Bonelli
EAAT Programming Assistant
Kylie is a graduate of Delaware Valley University where she earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Equine Management. She began as a volunteer at Pegasus in the summer of 2019. Kylie immediately knew she wanted to be more involved and started training to be an assistant instructor. She became Ride Safe certified while studying abroad in the United Kingdom and is now working towards her PATH certification. Kylie is driven by a passion for watching our riders grow mentally, physically and emotionally. The connections created between our horses and riders is what keeps her motivated and striving to improve as an instructor and professional. While at Pegasus, you can find Kylie working with Clyde and spending time with her new found family! To contact Kylie please email her: Kylie@pegasusphilly.org
Tammy McDonnell
Volunteer Coordinator & Barn Assistant
Tammy McDonnell describes Pegasus as a place of unconditional love. As a barn assistant, she takes excellent care of our Pegasus TRA horses as they hold a special place in her heart for the important work they do for the riders and volunteers. In addition to attending Community College of Philadelphia, Tammy is an Outreach Worker for Covenant House of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she works to prevent homelessness in the local youth population. As a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation, Tammy is committed to raising public awareness of human trafficking and serving as an image and example of hope. Her advocacy was critical in the passage of Act 130 of 2018, Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children. Tammy can be found hanging out with Oro and the horses in the mornings at Pegasus and when she is not working, she loves doing CrossFit, running marathons, and cheering on the Eagles. To contact Tammy please email her: volunteercoordinator@pegasusphilly.org
Taylor Adams
Equine Trainer, Instructor
Taylor Adams is a graduate of Delaware Valley University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Equine Instruction and Training as well as a Masters of Education degree in Teaching and Learning . Taylor has completed the British Horse Society certifications through Stage 3. Taylor works in the Equine Department as an Administrative Assistant as well as adjunct faculty for DVU. Taylor is the co-author of the Pegasus TRA Equine Succession Plan that she will be presenting at the PATH International Conference in November 2019. While at Pegasus, Taylor enjoys catching up on all of the horses latest accomplishments both individually and with their riders! Her work as our Equine Trainer ensures that Pegasus TRA has happy and safe horses. Taylor is a PATH Certified Instructor.
Tekla Simon
Assistant Instructor
Prior to joining the Pegasus TRA staff, Tekla rode competitively on Hofstra University’s Intercollegiate Equestrian Team, as well as dedicating many hours of volunteerism to Pegasus. Currently, Tekla is an assistant instructor who is pursuing her Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor certification. During her lessons, she loves seeing the smiling faces of her riders grow and improve their riding skills on a weekly basis. When not at Pegasus, you can find Tekla at her full-time job at The Independence Seaport museum managing various events and performances.
Emilia Osipenko
Assistant Instructor
Emilia first joined Pegasus in the summer of 2020 as a barn assistant. Prior to joining Pegasus she held barn staff positions at other riding facilities throughout Pennsylvania. As a Barn Assistant, Emilia takes pride in ensuring that the Pegasus herd is happy, healthy and well taken care of. As she witnessed the impact that Pegasus had on the community, she knew that she wanted to get more involved. Emilia started volunteering and shadowing instructors and is now working towards her PATH CTRI. As an Assistant Instructor, Emilia loves watching her riders grow mentally and physically. As well as seeing their relationships with the Pegasus herd blossom. Emilia is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science Degree in Equine Studies from Post University. When not at Pegasus you can find Emilia spending time with her dog, horse, and family.
Dana Avolio
Assistant Instructor
Dana began riding at the age of seven, and horses have always been her life-long passion. Throughout her high school years, Dana spent her afternoons and weekends volunteering and teaching at her mother’s therapeutic riding program in Westchester, NY. She graduated from Villanova University in 2019 and traveled to Malaysia in 2020 as an English Teaching Assistant and Fulbright Scholar. Upon returning, she received a CHA Level 2 Instructors for Riders with Disabilities certification. Dana believes the confidence horses instill in us can inspire us to push the boundaries of what is possible both on and off the horse. She shares this value with her students by helping them challenge themselves and celebrating all the successes along the way.
Masha Feldman
Barn Assistant
Masha Feldman is one of our devoted barn assistants. Masha is no stranger to the barn and our programs, as she got her introduction to Pegasus as a high school volunteer. Masha has worked in numerous reputable barns in the area and we are grateful that she has found her way back to Pegasus TRA! Masha is currently studying Equine Science online and aspires to become a PATH certified instructor in the future. She enjoys being apart of the Pegasus TRA family and loves spending extra time with all the horses. While not at Pegasus, Masha enjoys practicing yoga.
Barbara Wertheimer
Executive Director, Emeritis
Effective June 30, 2019 Barbara Wertheimer has retired from Pegasus TRA. She will be continuing her support of Pegasus overseeing grant writing and serving on various advisory committees. Barbara is a retired attorney who first came to Pegasus in 1991 when her daughter began riding in the program. Over the years she became an active volunteer in many facets of the organization, ultimately becoming President of the Board of Directors in 1997. She continued in that role until April 2007, when she assumed the position of Executive Director following the passing of the founder and former Executive Director of the program, Carol Tatum. Barbara and her family have embraced Pegasus and all that the program has done for countless individuals. She is thoroughly committed to its continued existence as the premier therapeutic riding program in Philadelphia.
To contact Barbara, please email her: Barbara@PegasusPhilly.org