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Our Staff + Instructors
Our participants reap the benefits of the many instructors and therapists that serve children and adults with different abilities as part of our overall rehabilitation program at Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center.
Physical and Occupational Therapists, Equine-Assisted Mental Health and Learning Specialists, and Certified Riding Instructors - all provide equine-assisted therapeutic services at Tri-State. These instructors are making an enormous difference in every interaction with their clients and the families who are part of our program.
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Olivia King
Olivia is a lifelong horse enthusiast who has worked professionally in various equine positions and disciplines since 2013. She studied Psychology in her undergrad and is a certified CTRI through PATH and completing MEALF and ESMHL certifications. Olivia is very passionate about teaching students to help them set and achieve goals on and off the horse.
Olivia loves to share her knowledge and experience through private and group riding, driving, and EAL sessions. In her free time, she enjoys sustainable farming, mechanics, and riding her young horses. Olivia and her husband Josh have a 4-year-old son.
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In addition to her management and fund development roles as Executive Director of TSTRC, Olivia in an instructor in our Therapeutic Riding, Carriage Driving, and Taking the
Lead psycho-educational programs.

Tara Yelliott, PhD.
Tara is a licensed Physical Therapist who received her doctorate degree in 2006 from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. She has been practicing for over 17 years in a variety of settings including acute care, outpatient, and school systems. Tara specializes in pediatrics and hippotherapy — a form of PT that utilizes equine movement in her patients’ rehabilitative treatments.
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Dr. Yelliott has a strong passion for working outdoors with her pediatric patients. She is married to her husband, Grant, and has two beautiful children, Addy and Tripp. Tara has three horses, two dogs and one cat, and when she isn’t working, she is riding horses, running on the trails with her dogs, or working out!

Claire Davis
Claire has been working with horses since childhood and has always appreciated the therapeutic nature of horses. It is her passion to train horses and share them with people. Claire grew up learning from the Hamilton County 4-H and the Midsouth Pony Clubs where she learned a good deal about horse care and technical riding, specifically 3-day eventing.
Of late, her interests have shifted more to driving horses. She owns a small horse-drawn carriage company where she shares her love of horses with the public. Claire is looking forward to her teaching journey with the Tri-state Therapeutic Riding Program!

Erin Rankin
Erin has been riding and working with horses for over 25 years in disciplines ranging from hunter/jumpers (IHSA in college) to her latest obsession - ranch riding. Prior to joining Tri-State she volunteered for 5 years at a therapeutic riding center in GA, helping riders navigate wide range of diagnoses.
Currently working on her CTRI through PATH, Erin is also an ATA certified Adaptive Fitness Trainer. Outside of the barn she enjoys doing CrossFit, spending time with her dog, being involved in her church, and working as a digital marketer for a youth development program!
Erin passionately believes that horses, movement, and an encouraging environment can make a powerful difference in helping people thrive in any circumstances.

Nancy Lewis
Nancy moved from California to Chattanooga in 2024. She has worked with horses for 20 years and enjoys sharing her love of riding with others.
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She has a Youth and Nonprofit Management degree with a minor in equine science, combining her passion for kids and horses. She is a CTRI through PATH and has taught therapeutic riding lessons for several years. She specializes in trauma-informed care and mental health skills.
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Nancy is currently working towards her master’s degree in public administration with a nonprofit focus. She loves spending time with her dalmatian and her horse or enjoying the outdoors in her free time.

Brynne
Brynne has been working with horses since she was 14 years old and has always wanted to use the therapeutic aspects of horses to help people through life's struggles.
She graduated with an associate's F.A.R.M. Degree (Farming, Agriculture, Ranching, and Ministry) at the end of 2024. Where she focused on business management and pre-vet science. She also became a certified wrangler and a riding instructor. She is excited to put her skills to use in a therapeutic setting as she works toward her PATH certification.
Brynne loves spending time with family & friends, serving God in her church and caring for her own animals when outside of the barn.

Jessica Ellison
Info To Come!
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