Overview
For nearly 30 years, disabled children as young as 2 years of age in Bexar County have experienced the rewards of therapeutic riding and hippotherapy at our Center.
The Saddle Light Center is registered as a physical therapy facility by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. We are also a Premier Accredited Center with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). Our Therapeutic Riding lessons are provided only by PATH Certified Instructors.
We currently provide ongoing Therapeutic Riding, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Hippotherapy to approximately 60 riders. Individuals age 2 and up with a diagnosed disability are referred to us by doctors, therapists, schools, and agencies which advocate and coordinate services for the disabled of our area.
Our goal is to inspire our riders to accomplishments previously considered beyond their capabilities.
Mission
Our mission is to provide professional equestrian therapy for children, teenagers and adults with neurological, orthopedic, learning, emotional or other disabilities.
Team Members
Kerstin L. Fosdick, LPT
Executive Director of the Saddle Light Center
Education/ Experience
- Graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas December 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy
- January 1993 to January 2001 worked as a Staff Physical Therapist, Clinical Instructor and Center Coordinator of Clinical Education at Gonzales Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital
- October 1999 assumed leadership of the Saddle Light Center as Program Director, Board President and Executive Director
Certifications
- PATH International Certificate of Registration in Hippotherapy
- PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Brian Purcell
PATH Certified Riding Instructor
Lara Russell, PTA
PATH Registered Therapist in Hippotherapy
Lara is a PTA and PATH Registered Therapist in Hippotherapy and wife to Chris. They have two great girls - Chelsea & Dakota - and have lived in 7 different states due to his US Air Force career. "I got to Texas as quickly as I could!" said Lara. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology and feels blessed to have found the Saddle Light Center to use her PTA degree with horses and hippotherapy. In her spare time she loves to garden & do Zumba.
Board of Directors
2022 Board Members
| Term/ Since | Board Members |
|---|---|
| 2/2024 2001 | Kerstin L. Fosdick, LPT, President (Private Practice) |
| 2/2023 2011 | Patricia Lucas, VP, PA-C (US Air Force, Retired) |
| 2/2024 2021 | Vicki Howard, Secretary (Retired) |
| 2/2022 2007 | Bruce Jennings, Client Representative |
| 2/2022 2004 | Alison Gragg, Fundraising Chair (Private business) |
| 2/2023 2011 | Jolanda Straathof, Treasurer (Private business) |
| 2/2024 2018 | Justin James Hoffman, Attorney at Law |
| 6/2022 2019 | Hacene Benchikha, CPSM |
| 2/2022 2015 | Clint Butler, CPA, Private Business |
2022 Advisory Board Members
| Board Members |
|---|
| Michael J. Dwyer, MD |
| Keith Huffman & Michael F. Martin DVM |
More About Us
About Equine Therapy
In Memoriam
