Edye Godden serves as the Chief Operating Officer at HETRA. She has been with the organization for the past 30 years in various capacities.  Along with being the CEO of the organization, she is also an Occupational Therapist, Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning as well as a Clinical Specialist in Hippotherapy. These other “hats” help keep her well connected to the programming offered at HETRA and give her first-hand experience of the impact HETRA has on the participants we serve.  With 30 years of experience in the field of Equine Assisted Services and specifically with HETRA, Edye has assisted in HETRAs growth from a small all-volunteer organization running out of other boarding facilities to where we are today – owning our own facility with a full-time staff of 13. HETRA’s programming includes adapted riding, therapy services, equine services for veterans, life skills, equine-assisted learning, equine-facilitated psychotherapy, corporate retreats, HETRA University (the educational arm including Not Just a Pony Ride, Podcasts, and webinars offered to the greater EAS community) as well as EAS consulting services. 

Edye earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University in 1991.  In 2007 she was awarded the PATH, Intl. Region 7 Instructor of the Year Award.  In 2013 Edye received the “Caring for Others” award from Woodmen of the World.   Edye has presented numerous times at the PATH, Intl. Region 7 Conference, as well as been a presenter or co-presenter on many of HETRA’s webinars.  

“I have so many favorite memories of the people and horses I have been blessed to work with over the past 30 years.  One of these memories is of a wonderful horse named Odie.  Odie taught so many people how to ride and be successful in the saddle – I can’t even tell you the number of people he helped over his years of service.  He was a kind soul and a gentle giant but my best memory of him which occurred after almost every single ride was when the student had dismounted Odie would bend his neck all the way around the side to get a look at who had just gotten off.  It was almost as if he was saying – Hey good job up there today to each and every rider.  He was truly a once in a lifetime type of horse that I will never forget!” 

“The students, staff, volunteers and horses at HETRA are all truly amazing and I am so fortunate to be able to be able to combine my two great passions in life helping others and horses into a career that makes a difference in so many people’s lives.   I can’t imagine doing anything else.  I have been so blessed to be on this journey with all of the amazing people and horses that make up HETRA!  The first 30 years have been such an adventure – I can’t wait to see what the next 30 years bring…..”

Areas of Expertise:
Leadership including building an effective and engaged team
Nonprofit Management
Budgeting
Grant Writing and Fundraising
Therapy Services
Program Development
Board Development and Management
Strategic Planning 
Staff Development and Management

Erin started working at HETRA in 1996, and has served many roles in the organization, from Instructor to Horse Manager, Volunteer Coordinator,  Finance & Administrative Manager, and now the Chief Operating Officer.  She has been a PATH, Intl. Certified Instructor since 2000.  Erin has her Bachelor of Science in Equine Science from Colorado State University.

Erin also completed the Salesforce Admin 101 Course in 2009, and has enjoyed working with other centers setting up database systems for their organizations.  Erin was nominated and received the honor of being elected the PATH, Intl. Region 7 Representative.  She represented the PATH, Intl. Region 7 members from 2013 to 2017.  Erin has presented numerous times at the PATH, Intl. Region 7 Conference.  

In her spare time, Erin enjoys spending time with her family,  hanging out with her dog Tucker and showing her Miniature Horses.  “I love coming to work because of the amazing people that I get to work with every day.  I love being a part of this team and getting the opportunity to make a difference in our community. Not many people get to say they love their job, but I do LOVE my job!” 

Areas of Expertise:
Administration 
Data Tracking
Board Management
Marketing

Cassidy Fredrickson joined the HETRA team as a volunteer in 2014. Cassidy started working at HETRA in 2018 when she became a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and now also works as an occupational therapist since 2019. In addition to treating participants in our adaptive riding and therapy services programs, Cassidy is also involved with the Life Skills Program, Job Coaching Program through NE VR, and has been a part of HETRA University where she has created many short educational videos and webinars and co-hosts in “What? How? Why?” shorts apart of “Not Just A Pony Ride” podcast.  

Cassidy has a Bachelor's in Rehabilitative Studies, with a Minor in Psychology and a Masters in Occupational Therapy from the College of Saint Mary.  She received the Who’s Who Among Students award as well as being a member of the Kappa Gamma Pi – National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society. 

When Cassidy isn’t at the barn she can be found hiking, camping, and disc golfing with her dog Odie and boyfriend Jackson and spending time with friends and family. 

Areas of Expertise:
Therapy Services 
Adaptive Riding 
Life skills 
Job Coaching 

Diane joined HETRA Team in 2006 and became a PATH Intl Certified Instructor in 2012 and completed Amer. Hippotherapy Assoc. Levels 1 and 2. Diane is an Occupational Therapist and Program Manager of the Life Skills Programs. She has worked as an OT in a wide variety of settings from pediatrics to geriatrics. She has extensive training in orthopedic manual therapies, seating and mobility adaptives, home modifications, and certified brain injury specialist. 

Diane enjoys exploring in her kayak or hiking unknown trails usually with her pup. 

Areas of Expertise:
Therapy Services

Heidi Mckenna joined HETRA as a volunteer in 2015 and became a part-time member of the staff in 2019. She serves as the assistant horse manager and is working towards her PATH International instructor certification. Heidi received her undergraduate degree from the US Air Force Academy and went on to spend 20 years in the Air Force before retiring. She has a Masters in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle and a Master of Arts from SNHU. In her free time, Heidi enjoys swimming, biking, running, competing in triathlons, and working on her riding skills with horses Woody and Anthony.

Areas of Expertise:
Horse conditioning and management
Intake and development of new horses
Volunteer Training at all levels
Day to day management of Volunteers in the Barn

Kaiti Otte is an occupational therapist and project coordinator for HETRA. She is also working toward achieving her Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor credentials.  Kaiti obtained her doctorate degree from Creighton University and has spent the majority of her professional experience in outpatient pediatric therapy settings.  In addition to treating participants at HETRA, Kaiti coordinates much of the virtual programming including the release of over 10 successful webinars last year and assisting to launch HETRA’s educational initiative “Not Just a Pony Ride”. Kaiti also enjoys mentoring students that are interested in Equine-Assisted Services including undergraduate as well as professional occupational therapy students.  When she is not in the barn at HETRA, you can find Kaiti catching some live music, working with her own young horse Fritz, or back home in western NE helping on her family farm.

Areas of Expertise:
Pediatric participant consulting
Sensory Dysfunction
Virtual Programming 
Undergraduate and Graduate student coordination. 

Kalynn Sortino joined HETRA in 2022. Before coming to HETRA and the Omaha Area, Kalynn was the Resource Development Director for the Boys and Girls Club of Siouxland. She graduated from Briar Cliff University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Leadership Management.

Kalynn has an extensive background within the nonprofit world, bringing to HETRA her passion for special events, donor cultivation, and community partnerships.

Areas of Expertise: 
Donor Cultivation
Community Partnerships
Event Planning
Public Speaking
Capital/Comprehensive Campaigns

Lindsey Celesky serves as the Facility Manager for HETRA. Lindsey joined HETRA in December of 2018. She earned a degree in Animal Science with an Equine option from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and lives in Gretna, NE. Lindsey helps maintain a safe, clean and functioning facility here at HETRA. On the rare occasion that Lindsey isn’t in the barn at HETRA, you can find her enjoying concerts, line dancing, hanging at the lake with her friends around a bonfire, spending time with her family working various jobs alongside them, or attending diesel truck events and shows throughout the U.S. every year. 

Areas of Expertise:
Facility Operations
General upkeep/maintenance of equipment 
Safety within barn setting
Development of projects
Management of barn maintenance staff/volunteers

Lucy first joined HETRA as a volunteer in 2018 and became HETRA’s Development Specialist in 2019 with a focus on grant writing. She is currently training to become a PATH Intl. certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and is expected to be fully certified by May, 2021. She particularly enjoys sharing with others the powerful bond that is created between humans and horses through grant writing and public speaking within the community. 

Lucy graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s of Agriculture in Animal Science & Industry with an Equine Certificate. She then went on to obtain her Master of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center with a focus on Environmental & Agricultural Health, where she obtained the Outstanding Student in Public Health Practice award as well as an award for Outstanding Research Project. Lucy has a special interest in the concept of One Health, the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. She previously served as a Research Assistant at the Central States Center of Agricultural Health. She has also worked in the areas of veterinary medicine and volunteer coordinating. 

When Lucy isn’t at HETRA she enjoys spending time with her husband, cat, and rescue dog as well as reading, playing the piano, and horseback riding. 

Areas of Expertise: 
Grant writing 
Public speaking 
Horsemanship 
Continued giving campaigns  

Noah Bevington serves as the Volunteer and Administrative Coordinator at HETRA. Noah Joined HETRA in December of 2018. Noah grew up around HETRA and enjoys now getting to be in the office helping to coordinate volunteers and running the day-to-day session schedule.  Noah especially enjoys the instances where he gets to go down and help in the arena, seeing the smiles on the participant’s and volunteer’s faces.  When Noah isn’t at work he enjoys watching sports especially Husker Football, as well as hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities.  

Areas of Expertise:
Volunteer coordination
Day to day session scheduling
Administrative/Salesforce project’s
Master puzzle solver

Rita Borgstadt joined HETRA in 2009 as a Volunteer. In 2014 she became a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and then was certified as PATH Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. In 2016 she joined the HETRA team full-time working as the Participant Intake Coordinator as well as continuing to teach riding lessons. She also works with a team of volunteers monthly training Grooming and Tacking to HETRA Volunteers. 

Rita graduated from UNL with a Bachelors's Degree in Elementary Education and Human Development and then received her Masters in Public Administration from UNO. 

Before coming to HETRA Rita worked for several nonprofit organizations working with troubled youth and individuals with Special Needs. I really enjoy working with people and make a difference for others, especially young people. 

In her spare time, Rita enjoys gardening, traveling, spending time with her family, and especially being with her grandchildren. 

Areas of Expertise:
Administration/scheduling
Volunteer Training
Intake of Potential and New Participants
Miniature Horse Appearances
Adaptive Riding Instruction

Shelby Schult joined the HETRA team as a volunteer in 2010 and as a full time staff member in 2015 after graduating with her degree in Animal Science- Equine Option from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Shelby is HETRA’s Equine Operations Manager and a PATH Intl. CTRI, ESMHL, and Mentor. 

Shelby has spent all of her life dedicated to the equine industry and still enjoys raising and showing Palomino Quarter Horses in her free time. Shelby is passionate about keeping HETRA’s herd “Healthy, Happy, Sane, and Sound” and is driven to share her knowledge with others in the industry through education.

Areas of Expertise:

• Equine Intake Procedures
• Equine Retirement/ Dismissal Procedures
• Desensitization of our Equine Partners
• Implementation of New Equines into Services
• General Management of EAS Equines
• Volunteer Horse Leader Education
• Implementation of New Volunteer Horse Leader Techniques 
• Saddle Fit
• Development of a Volunteer Conditioning Program