Our Staff

Teresa Doherty

Program and Equine 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

Emily Wilmot

Assistant Program Director, Instructor

Emily has been riding and showing in Massachusetts where she gained valuable experience working as a barn manager and instructor for several boarding, lesson, and therapeutic riding programs. While attending Delaware Valley University, she competed on both the hunt seat and western IHSA teams earning National and Regional Championships.  Emily has a broad range of riding experience and a strong caliber of competition background. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Equine Business and Management and is currently pursuing her Masters in Education. She is also a Coaching Assistant, responsible for recruiting and helping with IHSA teams at Delaware Valley University. While at Pegasus, Emily enjoys riding Sergio and spending time with barn family! Emily is a PATH certified instructor.

Ryan Frech

Instructor, Barn Manager, and 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, a graduate of Archbishop Ryan, and is currently attending Delaware Valley University to pursue an equine management degree where he also competes on the dressage team. Ryan knows the inner workings of our facility, programs, and horses. 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 the summer program director and is a PATH Certified Instructor. To contact Ryan, please email him: Ryan@PegasusPhilly.org 

Sara Hertzel

Instructor

Sara is a graduate of Temple University, where she served as Social Chair and Vice President of Temple University’s Equestrian Club (TUEC). She is currently working towards her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Widener University; she expects to graduate in the Spring of 2022. Sara brings a wealth of resources to Pegasus with her background in mental health, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and interdisciplinary care. She has clinical experience with evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders, anxiety, depression and trauma. Sara’s training in neuropsychological assessment among those with brain injury, ADHD, learning disorders, and Autism ensure that Pegasus is current with psychological theory and practice.  Sara is an experienced equestrian with a lifetime of riding and competing in the hunter/jumper ring. Sara is a PATH certified instructor. 

Elysia Rodriguez

Assistant Instructor

Elysia knows in depth about all our programs, riders, and horses, proving herself vital to the daily operations of our therapeutic programs! Elysia got her start at Pegasus TRA with a high school internship, which resulted in her receipt of the 2017 Jr. Volunteer of the Year at Pegasus TRA.  A graduate of El Centro High School, Elysia is currently attending Community College of Philadelphia and will be pursuing a career in nursing. 

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.

Casondra Kennedy

Instructor

Sondra attends Delaware Valley University where she is pursuing her degree in counseling psychology with a minor in equine instruction and training. She has ridden since the age of 8 and is an accomplished rider. With her volunteer experience and shadowing at several other east coast therapeutic riding programs, she brings wonderful new ideas to contribute to our program.  When not teaching at Pegasus, Sondra enjoys riding and participating in shows with her horse. Sondra is a PATH certified instructor.

Kelleigh Rossano

Volunteer Coordinator

Meet Kelleigh Rossano, the volunteer coordinator for Pegasus TRA. A lifelong horsewoman, Kelleigh has a wide range of horsemanship experiences including being a 4-H leader of a horse club in Gloucester County, NJ as well as here at Pegasus.  Kelleigh started as a volunteer and quickly recognized that Pegasus is a special place with amazing families and horses. She jumped in with both feet and assumed the role of volunteer coordinator! Her enthusiasm is contagious and she loves connecting with our volunteers and families. Without Kelleigh’s dedication to ensuring our lessons have volunteers, Pegasus would be in serious trouble!  Kelleigh aspires to become a PATH certified instructor in the future.  By day, Kelleigh is the Director of Administrative for a concrete company in New Jersey and lives here in Philadelphia with her husband.  She loves spending time with her family and grandchildren.  When she’s not helping us at Pegasus TRA, you will find her with her own horses at Lions Pride Farm in Williamstown, NJ.

Kylie Bonelli

Assistant Instructor

Katie Brinegar

Assistant Instructor

Emily Pfoutz

Assistant Instructor

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.

Tammy McDonnell

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 on 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.

Jemma Teesdale

Barn Assistant

If you’ve volunteered or had a lesson at Pegasus TRA, chances are you’ve met Jemma!  A former volunteer of the year, she is extremely knowledgeable around our barn and is a head volunteer helping to train other volunteers. Jemma is dedicated to the goals of our Pegasus TRA mission and vision. As a barn assistant, we can always count on Jemma to ensure that our Pegasus herd is well cared for and ready for lessons. When she is not exercise riding Marvel, you can find Jemma reading about wildlife and animal care as well as working on homework. Jemma is graduating from Central High school this year and is preparing to pursue her undergraduate degree next year.

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

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