Last Modified: 4/13/2008
 contact: Equine Angels
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Staff Bios
Gina Gray, Founder & Program Director
Professional Credentials:
B.S. Psychology, Minor in Sociology
25+ Yrs Business Mgmt Experience

Personal Credentials:
Mother of 2 (1 born w/ Cerebral Palsy)
40+ Yrs Experience w/ Horses
10 Yrs Participation in PT/OT Sessions
6 Yrs Experience Equine Physical Therapy

Passion . . .

"A powerful, intense emotion indeed.  Some people spend a lifetime seeking passion.

I have not had to seek it out at all.  I have been blessed with experiences in my life which evoke passion naturally . . .  Horses and children with physical disabilities.

Putting the two together was a natural thing to do, and as long as my physical strength and endurance hold up, I will be here, with passion, for this program.

Creating this Special Therapy Center for children with severe physical disabilities, like my son, Spencer, has been one of the most meaningful endeavors of my life.  It has also been one of the most demanding.

I received an undeniable call to action from the Angels up Above when my Daddy suddenly became one of them Christmas Day, 1999.  He always wanted to do more to help Spencer, and now, with his help and guidance, Equine Angels is doing that very thing!

Accepting the role of advocate for one special needs child is a great challenge, but I guess it wasnt great enough for me!  I quickly saw the enormity of the need for quality therapy for a large population of severely disabled children, and decided to take action.  The result was Equine Angels Special Therapy Center."

-- Gina



.
Dee Cornell, Physical Therapist, Athletic Trainer
Professional Credentials:
M.S. in Physical Therapy
Minors in Psychology & Kinesiology
Certified & Licensed Athletic Trainer

Personal Credentials:
40+ Yrs Training Horses & Riders
Multidisciplinary Approach to Holistic Healing
Passion for Providing Needed Services
Volunteer Professional Service Contributions:
Physical Therapist for 1996 Paralympics
12+ Yrs Athletic Trainer w/ Justin Sports Medicine Team
Athletic Trainer for USA Gymnastics Nationals, USA Junior National Track & Field
Medical Director/Coordinator for the US Association of Blind Athletes Multi-Sport Nationals


Hope . . .

"A tiny word with unlimited potential.

Too often, physically challenged individuals are offered minimal or quantified hope from the medical profession.  The best that you can hope for is   . . . , or there's not much hope that he/she will be able to . . .

The Equine Angels program offers a unique venue for renewed Hope.  Hope that a child may sit or stand unassisted, may feed or dress themselves, or may walk.  The possibilities are unlimited, as long as there is Hope.

As a healthcare professional, I feel obligated to nurture, not destroy Hope.  I don't believe in far-fetched promises, but one can always have HOPE!"

--Dee



.
Joan Oliver Eaves, OTR
Professional Credentials:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy (OT)
19+ Years Experience in both Clinical and Educational Pediatric OT
Minor in Psychology
Associates Degree in Arts & Sciences
Sensory Integration Certification
Upledger Craniosacral Therapy Training

Personal Credentials:
Strong team building skills developed from birth as sixth of eight children
Christian religious beliefs are foundation for personal life
Practice and advocate Mind/Body/Spirit strategies for living fully
Raised two sons and two daughters (youngest daughter has cerebral palsy and epilepsy)
Involved in the lives of eight grandchildren (3 special needs)
Live, sleep, breathe children  they nourish my soul!

Trust . . .

“Trust is confidence or belief in someone or something.  As a person involved in the lives of children with special needs and their families, I have seen and experienced the importance of and many levels of trust.

Trust in God, that the universe He created is unfolding as it should and that His strength will empower us to thrive in the face of whatever comes our way.

Trust in ourselves, in the power each of us possesses to change our own lives and to impact the lives of others, not merely by our actions, but by the intention of those actions.

Trust in others, that each person has a potential far above the ideations of mere human beings and that which we can see with our eyes.

Trust in spirit, the powerful force that lives in each of us, makes us who we are, and determines our profound impact on one another.

Trust is the foundation of all the programs offered by the Equine Angels organization.  Trust empowers each person involved with Equine Angels, whether by financial support, administration, therapy delivery, volunteering, or as a participant, to rely on the vision, to commit ourselves to action, and to benefit from one anothers unique talents.”

--Joan