Riverbend Equine Therapy Services is a non-profit organization founded in January of 2010 beginning with our HOOVES program for veterans. (www.hooves.us) Quickly, it became apparent that our services were needed by individuals from all walks of life. Now open to anyone seeking to heal and/or grow, we work out of two locations to better serve those in the NW Ohio area.
Amanda Thompson, ES, is the Founder of RETS. She has been around horses since she was 5. Amanda operates an equestrian facility with her father in Grand Rapids, Ohio, where they gentle wild mustangs and rehab abused horses. Discovering the EAGALA program in 2009, Amanda immediatley knew this was her passion and became a certified Equine Specialist. A veteran who served 4 years on active duty with the US Air Force, Amanda is currently a member of the 180th Fighter Wing in Swanton, Ohio. Amanda also holds a degree in Small Business Management, Sales and Marketing, and Human Resources. Amanda is also a director and is in charge of the company's marketing and community relations.
Contact Amanda at amanda@riverbendequine.org
Contact Amanda at amanda@riverbendequine.org
Jody Franks, PCC, CRC, MRC, has worked for mental health agencies and in private practice since 2003. Jody has worked with domestic violence victims and offenders, children of abuse and neglect, and children with various mental health disorders which affect social adjustment, self-worth, and family relationships. At present, she works with adults and families, as well as with groups in adjustment reconciliation activities. Other groups include team building. She especially enjoys helping youth think about career possibilities. She is a mother and grandmother and lives with her husband on a small farm.
Paul C. Standinger, MA., PC-CR, is a professional counselor with a private practice in Bowling Green, Ohio. He currently assists college students with individual and group counseling, as well as aiding college ministry activities. He received a Bachelors of Science in math education from the University of Kentucky and taught 7th & 8th grade math before pursuing a career in full-time ministry. Paul enjoys working with a variety of people and has special interest in interpersonal relationships, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, couples' counseling, religion, and spirituality, and he has received training in veteran concerns. He is a member of the American Counseling Association, American School Counseling Association, and Ohio Counseling Association.