Leadership

INSTRUCTORS

All of Project ASTRIDE's instructors go through rigorous training to become PATH Certified. They are dedicated to the well-being and progress of all of our participants!

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Shellie Kremers

Shellie has been an instructor since 2011. 

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Clare Palmquist

Clare has been a PATH/NARHA Certified Advanced Instructor since 1995. She is the current program director of Project ASTRIDE and has been teaching with the program since1986. Clare has ridden, competed, instructed, trained and owned horses for 30 years. She currently competes in recognized Dressage shows. Clare has been very active on the national level of NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped).

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Clare is married to Dean and has four grown children. Dean and Clare own and operate a dairy farm where they milk 81 Holstein cows, raise their own corn, alfalfa and replacement heifers. They own horses, dogs and numerous farm cats.

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Laurel Theis

Laurel has volunteered with Project ASTRIDE since1987. After many years of volunteering she developed an interest in becoming a therapeutic riding instructor and obtained her NARHA Registered Instructor Certificate in 1996. She has been on the Board of Directors for many years and continues her involvement with Project ASTRIDE. She published and implemented the first Project ASTRIDE Newsletter in 1999 and is still writing, publishing and distributing our newsletter on a quarterly basis.

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A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (C.O.T.A.), Laurel has worked in a geriatric setting since 1984. She is also involved with her son in Boy Scouts and  volunteers with Girl Scouts as her daughters troop leader and is also the Community Coordinator for 4 local towns.  She is a Certified Trainer for the Girl Scouts. In other words, Laurel is a leader of leaders. She enjoys her family and her VERY busy life. Her motto is "Boredom is your own choice."

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(2019)

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Board members are volunteers from all professions. Our current board includes:

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• Dr. Greg Schlosser  

• Laurel Theis 

• Eric Kunz

• Gwen Marshall 

• Heather Helmer

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Interested in serving on the board? Strong community ties and involvements are a plus. Project planners who have fundraising experience or a knack for marketing are especially needed but heck, if you're simply passionate about our mission, that's enough for us! Email or call us for more info.

 

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