MEET THE BOARD
DENISE DRAGON
Executive Director
Professionally she is a scheduler for Alene Candles in Milford, NH. In the community, Denise serves the Town of Surry as both a Supervisor of the Checklist and Town Auditor. Denise has been a CASA for over 7 years. She also has 20+ years of riding and working with horses. Denise is currently in the process of obtaining her PATH Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification. Denise has three adult children as well as 3 horses and a dog Annie.
PETER POWERS
President
Professionally, Peter is the Controller for G. S. Precision, Inc. in Brattleboro VT. Peter has extensive background experience with non-profits working at World Learning in Brattleboro VT, The Student Conservation Association in Charlestown NH as well as 18 years with the Boy Scouts. Peter loves woodworking and camping and he is a horse dad.
JEAN PICARD
Vice President
Jean grew up in New England but has resided in NH majority of her life. She is married with two grown children. She has been in sales for the past 30 years in various industries. Over the years she has coached youth soccer and basketball. She now volunteers for a cat rescue and in her spare time can be found on the lake with her husband boating.
SARAH VITELLO
Secretary
Sarah Vitello lives in Jaffrey, New Hampshire with her husband and four children. She and her husband have been foster parents for several years and Sarah has also volunteered as a court appointed special advocate (CASA). Sarah has a business background in online retail operations as well as planning and buying in manufacturing.
BECKI MARRERO
Program Manager
Becki became involved with therapeutic riding when her son started attending lessons at Miracles in Motion in 2016. Since then, Becki has worked with other therapeutic programs in many different roles. She became a therapeutic riding instructor last year and with a background as an emergency dispatcher and special education advocate, Becki enjoys watching participants grow. When she is not at the barn with Belle, she can be found snuggling with her boxer Nala, advocating for families in special education, or whipping up some yummy treats in her kitchen.
KAREN RUITER
Board Member
Karen comes from Hudson, NH. She has 20 + years of Supervision experience. Karen has over five years' experience coordinating fund-raisers for 3 Moms-Onne Misson for the Hudson area. She loves snowmobiling and the outdoors.
MAKENZIE CURTIS
Board Member
Makenzie is from the local area and works as a retail Manager. Makenzie has years of experience as A veterinary technician and can be found around the barn when Denise is not around. Makenzie has a bird named Malibu and two cats named Peaches and Lucifurr.
TIM LAROCHE
Barn Manager
Tim spends most of his free time dreaming of playing golf, while he is maintaining the barn, and the property and making sure the horses each get some snuggles as they attempt to help him.
KORA MICHAUD
Donation Coordinator
Kora is a new Cheshire County resident. Recently moved to New Hampshire from Massachusetts after developing a great attraction for the community.
Kora holds both her LNA and Medical Assistant Certifications, Kora currently works for the Cournoyer Funeral Home and is currently attending FINE Mortuary Institute to further her career.
Kora is the proud mother of three spectacular children. Outside of her passion for work, parenting, and education, she enjoys traveling to new locations to discover new eatery’s, reading all the literature she can make the time for, writing, and just about any outdoor activity a native-born New Englander can take part in.
Alissa Picard
Instructor
Alissa Picard graduated from St. Andrews University with a Bachelors in Therapeutic Horsemanship and a Minor in Psychology. While at St. Andrews she rode on the Huntseat Equestrian Team and taught lessons to clients varying in age and disabilities. She currently works as a full time Behavioral Technician providing ABA Therapy for children with Autism. Alissa enjoys seeing the progress of all of her riders and clients and making fun games to play during lessons.
