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.  Previously member and advisor to NARHA Accreditation Committee, 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.

Juliet Eilks, J.D.
Walk On President Elect
Licensed Illinois attorney, previously Walk On Advisory Board member, currently active member of Walk On Board of Directors and currently President Elect.  Active member within the Barrington community, substitute teacher in CUSD 220 and volunteer in Walk On riding program.  Former member of Roslyn Road School PTO Board, committee member and girl scout leader.  Parent of four children.

Judy Michaels Jelm, MS, CCC/L
Walk On Secretary
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 Treasurer
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 been an active member of the Fox River Valley Hunt and Spring Creek Bassett Hunt Clubs.   Has extensive experience in fund raising, community outreach, publicity and grant writing. Volunteer in Friends of Member of Walk On founding committee.

Joann Johnson, BA Accounting, MST Taxation, CPA
Treasurer Elect
Certified Public Accountant with a Masters Degree in Taxation.  Currently member of Walk On Board of Directors.  Part owner in Family accounting firm in Palatine.  On board of Barrington Middle School--Prairie Campus and a past board member at Roslyn Road Elementary School.  Active in the Barrington School District and church community.  Presently religious education teacher for middle school students at St Anne’s in Barrington.  Past Girl Scout Leader and very active with students.  Parent of former rider in the Walk On Program.

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.  Former Girl Scout Leader.   Active fundraiser for Relay for Life and an avid equestrienne.  Member of Board of Directors for Walk On.

Jan Nestrud
Active in the Barrington horse community and mother of three.  Attended Univ. of Iowa, worked as Medical Research Assistant and Exec Assistant to President of mfg company.  Jan has been extremely active with United States Pony Clubs, both locally and nationally in numerous leadership positions.   Organized and facilitated numerous seminars at USPC festivals and annual meetings; facilitated national contests, organized Combined Training Rallies and Horse Trials.  Actively involved with the Barrington Countryside Park District, the Riding Club of Barrington Hills and the Barrington Hills Country Club.  Currently a Steward for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for Prairie Restoration, Citizens for Conversation and Spring Creek Basset Hunt.  Jan was named a “Legend” at the 2004 USPC 50th Anniversary Celebration and also, received the Governors Cup in 2006 by US Eventing Assn.  Jan is an avid equestrienne, Walk On program volunteer and Board of Directors 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 River Valley 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.

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 M. 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  Boards of  Directors, holding various offices and has received recognition for her outstanding work and support.

Steven D. Jelm, CPA
Owner of Steven D. Jelm, CPA. In practice for 30 years, specializing in small business practices.  Member of Illinois CPA Society.  Previously owner of Continuing Education Resource, Inc, sponsoring over 100 educational seminars throughout the US.  Consultant to numerous organizations.  Advisor to Walk On Treasurer, member of Walk On Advisory Board.

David A. Slack, MBA
Graduate of Univ. of IL and Lake Forest  Graduate School of Management.  Currently
Realtor, Real Estate consultant with Baird & Warner and Prudential Preferred Properties.  Member of U of I Alumni Assn, Lake Forest GSM Alumni Assn, previously member of Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo Grove Chamber of Commerce, and St Anne Catholic Church.  Has spent 30 years as senior financial executive; as Exec V.P., CFO, Chief Tech. Officer and Director of Finance; with Stratos International Inc., and Bretford Manufacturing, Inc.  Member of Walk On Advisory Board.

Barbara J. Cogswell
Small business owner, consultant and coach.  Active marathoner, swimmer, equestrian and cyclist.  Commissioned artist in portraits, murals and faux finishes.  Member of Barrington High School as PTO website manager and PTO Past President.  Presently BCC board of directors, CCFA coach and Board of Directors.  Previously member of Hands of Hope as Marketing & Creative Director.  Member of Walk On Advisory Board.

STAFF

Mary Illing, BS, OTR/L
Program Director
Licensed Occupational Therapist, NARHA Certified Master Level 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 Program Director for Walk On.

Brad S. Doweidt
Head Instructor
NARHA Certified Registered Instructor with additional certification as a Level 1 Driving Instructor.  Served as a member of the United States Marine Corps for four years.  Has been involved in equine assisted activities since 2001 as an instructor at Blazing Prairie Stars, the Hansen Center, Ray Graham Association and Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding and Education Center.  Previously Director of Equine Programs at Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding and Education Center.  Currently  Head Instructor at Walk On.

Michele Le Claire, AA
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, and 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.

Dessy Iovtchieva, MBA
Office Assistant
Master of Business Administration graduate from DeVry University.  Prior to Walk On has worked as an administrative assistant and an office manager. Previous work experiences are in the area of office managing, marketing and PR. Presently part-time Office Assistant at Walk On.