Medicine Horse Program Staff

Kathy Johnson, M.Ed - Executive Director
Kathy is a long-time trainer and riding instructor in Colorado and former President of the Foothills Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society. Kathy is a graduate of the University of Michigan honor's English program and is a Hopwood award winning writer. She has a master's degree in education from University of Houston where she taught rhetoric and composition while doing doctoral work. She taught at the Briarwood School in Houston, a non-profit school for children with learning disabilities, where she was junior class team leader. She was also a member of the experiential learning team and the discipline committee. Kathy has written articles published in national magazines including "The English Journal," "The Equestrian Journal," "The Chronicle of the Horse," "The Centaur" and "USDF Dressage Connections."

Joan Rieger, MA, LPC - Youth Services Director
Joan is a licensed psychotherapist with her Masters in Counseling from Naropa University, is a certified as a Gestalt therapist, and certified in EAGALA Level 1. Besides being the Youth Program Director for Medicine Horse, Joan is also in private practice working with individuals, couples, and families dealing with matters such as depression, conflict, abuse and trauma, grief and loss, addictive behaviors, body image and eating disorders, major transitions, and relationship issues. Joan also has experience working with at-risk teenagers in a wilderness program, assessment & intake at a psychiatric hospital, therapeutic program development, and over 10 years of corporate experience. Joan combined her two passions in life, being a therapist and love for horses, after her own personal experience with horses was deeply healing and transforming. Her current best friend is a 17 hand, grey Thoroughbred/Quarter horse named Windfall!

Calyn Acebes, MA - Program Director
Calyn received her Masters in Wilderness Therapy at Naropa University in Boulder, Colo. Wilderness therapy incorporates various forms of nature (including horses) into psychotherapy. Since age six, horses have been a huge part of Calyn's life. She has expanded her knowledge of horses and the amazing effects of the human/horse relationship through owning a horse of her own, giving riding lessons, becoming EAGALA Level One certified and now gaining experience through facilitating many of the wonderful programs at Medicine Horse. When Calyn is not at Medicine Horse, she is taking girls rock climbing and backpacking or singing in a local band.

Bernie Clifford - Barn Manager

Abby Howard - Volunteer Coordinator

Chris Johnson - Barn Assistant