About Walk On

Walk On was the dream of several people dedicated to providing horseback riding for people with disabilities. Two years ago that dream became a reality when a special facility designed specifically for our program became available for use. Thanks to two prominent Barrington Hills residents Walk On Farm was created from the ground up.

Established in 2006, the Not-for-Profit Walk On program was named after the command, "Walk On". This term is used by the participant to have the horse move forward in a therapeutic riding lesson. Currently our program provides services to 40 participants representing a variety of disabilities. Each week participants experience the magic of the horse while they laugh, have fun and develop balance, feel natural body movements on a three dimensional plane and form an emotional bond to a large animal. Where else can one experience such magic? Developing strength, coordination, visual motor integration, and normalization of muscle tone while improving communication skills, attention span, self image and the ability to follow directions. WOW!

All of us at Walk On are blessed to have the opportunity to bring this program to people with disabilities in the Barrington area. Thanks to everyone who has offered their generous support to Walk On so this magical program can reach out to many more participants.

Biographical Sketches

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Marion L. May, MS, OTR
Walk On President
Occupational Therapist, retired. Previously Acting Superintendent, Occupational Therapy Administrator and Principal at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education in Chicago. Past president of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), member of Illinois Spina Bifida Association, Council for Disability Rights and past president/board member of Friends of Handicapped Riders and Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities. Currently an advisor to NARHA Accreditation Committiee, active Accreditation Site Visitor and member of Advisory Council for Horses, Humans Research Foundation. Has been involved in therapeutic horseback riding since 1969. Member of Walk On founding committee.

Judy Michaels Jelm, MS, CCC/L
Walk On Treasurer
Speech and Language Pathologist specializing in pediatrics, owner of Pediatric Speech & Language Therapy Services, Ltd. Active in many associations: member and past president of both the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the Neuro Develpmental Treatment Association. Member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Former president and board member of Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities. Has written numerous published professional articles and has been a speaker nationally and internationally. Member of Walk On founding committee and a rider in the program.

Elizabeth Rodosky, BA, Early Childhood Development, Educator
Walk On Secretary
Former pre-school educator, homemaker. Previous board member of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, Barrington Chapter, and secretary for Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities. Has extensive experience in fund raising and volunteering at Friends of Handicapped Riders and Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities. Member of Walk On founding committee.

ADVISORY BOARD

Allison Roberts Greene
Advisory Board Chair
Founding member of Walk On. Member of Walk On Advisory Board and avid program supporter. Parent with children participating in the program. Active supporter of many not-for-profit and community organizations. Former President of Image Graphics, Inc. and Past Board member of Addison Chamber of Commerce.

Elyse Roberts
Founding member of Walk On. Member of Advisory Board and generous supporter of Walk On. Active member of Barrington horse community and supporter of numerous not-for-profit organizations and community agencies. Has participated on many Board of Directors, holding various offices and has received recognition for her outstanding work and support.

Steve Jelm
CPA and advisor to Walk On Treasurer. Member of Advisory Board.

Barbara Cunningham
Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Barrington, Former Cultural Arts Chair for Roslyn Road School. Active in Barrington horse community, member of two hunt clubs, horse trial volunteer, member of Barrington Riding Center. Past Cultural Arts Chair for Roslyn School and former Girl Scout Leader. Active fundraiser for Relay for Life and avid equestrienne. Member of Advisory Board and volunteer for Walk On.

Jan Nestrud
Active in the Barrington horse community. Attended Univ of Iowa, worked as Medical Research Assistant and Exec Assistant to President of a small mfg. Company. Has been extremely active with United States Pony Clubs, both locally and nationally in numerous leadership positions. Has organized and facilitated numerous foxhunting seminars at festivals and annual meetings, national contests, Combined Training Rallies and Horse Trials. Involved with the Barrington Countryside Park District, the Riding Club of Barrington Hills and active in the Barrington Hills Country Club and numerous sporting activities. Currently the Master Steward for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for Prairie Restoration, Citizens for Conservation and the Spring Creek Basset Hunt. She was named a "Legend" at the 2004 USPC 50th Anniversary Celebration and received the Governors Cup in 2006 USEA at the annual meeting. An avid equestrienne, program volunteer, and Advisory Board Member of Walk On.

Nancy L. Schmid
Active member of the Barrington community. An avid equestrienne and breeder of Warm Blood horses and on the Board of Directors of the North American Selle Francais. Was a member of the Board of Directors of the Fox RiverValley Pony Club and an elected commissioner of the Barrington Countryside Park District as well as on the Management Board. Currently is the President of Schmid Tool and Engineering and a member of the Advisory Board for Walk On

STAFF

Mary Illing, BS, OTR/L
Program Director
Licensed Occupational Therapist, NARHA Certified Master Instructor, and Meredith Manor Horsemanship Certificate. Has been involved in Equine Assisted Therapy for over 25 years and is an experienced equestrienne in second level dressage and training level eventing. Previously instructed at Acorn Hill, Friends of Handicapped Riders and Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities. Active in North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) Instructor Certification Committee, Workshop Committee, 1994 Annual Conference Co-chair, and NARHA Illinois State Representative. Member of the Walk On founding committee and currently head instructor and Program Director for Walk On.

Brad S. Doweidt
Assistant Instructor
NARHA Certified Registered Instructor with additional certification as a Level 1 Driving Instructor. Has been involved in equine assisted activities since 2004 as an instructor at Blazing Prairie Stars, and the Hansen Center, Ray Graham Association. Was Director of Equine Programs at Brave Hearts Therapeutic Riding and Education Center prior to joining Walk On in January 2008. Currently is Assistant Instructor at Walk On.

Michele Le Claire
Instructor
NARHA Certified Registered Instructor. Has an Associate of Arts Degree from St John's University, New York. For the past 13 years has been involved in Dressage as a working student, groom, full time trainee and in competition. Prior to coming to Walk On has worked in various capacities for United and Best Airlines, Tudor Oaks Farm, Horning Chiropractic and Pediatric Associates of Barrington. Currently a member of the United States Dressage Federation and the United States Equestrian Federation. A dedicated and accomplished equestrienne and part time instructor at Walk On.