CORLISS WALLINGFORD AND CALLI

Corliss Wallingford
Executive Director
Registered Instructor

Corliss has worked in the therapeutic riding industry since 1999, serving as a board member, volunteer coordinator and development director in addition to her current roles at Simple Changes.

Corliss began her career in therapeutic riding as a mom. Her daughter Megan, now 14, has Angelman Syndrome and began riding when she was four. Corliss brings to Simple Changes her expertise working with severely involved individuals, as well as her nearly 30 years of professional experience in business planning and marketing. Now an avid rider herself, Corliss became a NARHA certified instructor in 2006.

Working with animals in a therapeutic setting is a passion for Corliss. She is the facilitator for her daughter's skilled companion dog from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) and volunteers for CCI. Corliss also works as an adoptions specialist and counselor for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

JENNY SPAIN ON DIANA

Jenny Spain
Program Director
Registered Instructor

Jenny is an NARHA certified instructor who has been working in the equine business for over 12 years.

After obtaining a B.A. in Business Administration from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and an M.A. in Communication from Wake Forest University, Jenny came to Northern Virginia and began working in the Therapeutic Riding community wearing a gamut of hats including bookkeeper, volunteer coordinator, instructor, development coordinator and business director. Her experience in therapeutic riding began while at St. Andrews and developed into a thesis topic for obtaining a Master's degree in 2002.

Jenny's equine experience includes managing several small schooling and boarding facilities, riding and showing hunters, jumpers and dressage, instructing beginners to advanced riders in balanced seat, becoming a Level 1 Centered Riding Instructor at age 16 and grooming for a competitive Grand Prix jumper rider.

JILL WAGNER BLOWING BUBBLES WITH BEN

Jill Wagner, MS, PT
Hippotherapy Consultant

Jill has been a physical therapist for over 17 years and a pediatric therapist for over 12 years. She opened her own practice in 1999. Progressive Pediatrics specializes in aquatic therapy, land therapy and most recently hippotherapy. She graduated from Quinnipiac University, with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 1992, and from Johns Hopkins University with a Masters of Science in Education in 1998.

Jill became interested in hippotherapy through Simple Changes' Executive Director, Corliss Wallingford. Jill worked with Corliss' daughter, Megan, in the pool for several years and kept hearing about the wonder of working with horses in a therapeutic setting. Corliss' passion for horses and for therapeutic riding inspired Jill to pursue coursework in the field of hippotherapy. After one course, she was hooked!

Jill's philosophy is to have fun! Good developmental therapy programs use games, play activities and individualized skill practice to improve a child's motor performance.

KERRY HELPING WITH RIDER

Kerry O’Brien Gross
Registered Instructor

Kerry has worked in the horse industry for 18 years as an instructor, barn manager and horse trainer. She has ridden in a variety of settings from competing in gymkhana events as a child on her Paso Fino in Puerto Rico to working as a wrangler on a Colorado ranch rounding up 100 horses every day in the Rockies.

Wanting to become better educated in teaching a wider range of students, Kerry became a NARHA registered therapeutic riding instructor in 2003. She founded Bit by Bit Therapeutic Riding Program in Lorton, VA and directed the program for four years. In 2007, she merged Bit by Bit into Simple Changes.

Kerry believes strongly in continuing her own education as both an instructor and a rider. She trains regularly with her dressage trainer and works to incorporate into her therapeutic lessons the dressage principles of balance and harmony between horse and rider. Kerry also loves finding new and fun ways to motivate students to reach their potential in riding.

TOP OF PAGE