jmoore@mckennafarms.org

Founder & Executive Director

Jessica Moore is originally from Livingston, New Jersey, but has called Paulding County home for more than 20 years. As a Physical Therapist Assistant, she founded our organization in 2000 with the help of her horse McKenna. She has loved watching the growth of the organization that combines her passion for horses and helping children. She loves spending time with her two sons, Jackson and Aidan, being outdoors, and traveling.

mhubbard@mckennafarms.org

Develpment Director

Georgia native and Auburn graduate, Megan grew up with horses and farm life.  She has lived in many places across the United States and overseas as a military spouse.  Following her husband’s roots back to the area, her family is happy to call Paulding County home.  In her free time, she enjoys hiking and the outdoors with her husband and two sons. Megan is overjoyed to be a part of the McKenna Farms family and is enthusiastic about fundraising and helping the farm flourish.

hmacpherson@mckennafamrs.org

Therapeutic Programs Director

Physical  Therapist PT, MPT

Hallie joined the McKenna Farms team in 2015, and she feels lucky to be part of all the families’ lives that she works with. She loves soccer, and even played for her college team at Carson Newman University. Hallie lives with her husband Erik and their two kids, Evan and Ella. In her spare time, Hallie likes to spend time with her family, watch her children play sports, work out, and decorate her house.

bcowart@mckennafarms.org

Accountant

Belinda loves football, tennis, and sun! She enjoys going to the beach with her husband Randall and cheering on her favorite team the University of Alabama. Belinda loves the farm setting at McKenna and getting to know all of the wonderful staff.

cziegler@mckennafarms.org

Clients Account Manager

Cheryl is originally from suburban Chicago, and has been working at McKenna Farms since 2003. She is married with two sons, one of whom has autism. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, sewing, and baking. Cheryl loves the cozy atmosphere at McKenna Farms and is happy to be part of a work family that is helping special needs individuals.

kparsons@mckennafarms.org

Director of Equine Programs

PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

PATH Intl. ESMHL

PATH Intl. Instructor Mentor

Katherine is an Atlanta native and an Auburn University alum. Her favorite spot at McKenna is the creek where she often takes her riders to visit.

In her free time, Katherine loves eating sushi and watching Auburn football. Fun fact: Katherine is obsessed with pugs and plans to own many in the future!

losier@mckennafarms.org

brobertson@mckennafarms.org

Client Coordinator

Brooke, our newest member in the office at McKenna Farms, grew up right down the road here in Dallas, Georgia. She has a Human Services degree and has been working with individuals with special needs for the past 10 years. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, exploring new places, and volunteering. Brooke’s favorite part about working at McKenna Farms has been getting to meet and interact with the amazing kids and their families!

Laurie Stair, Client Coordinator

lstair@mckennafarms.org

Laurie grew up in Bridgewater, New Jersey and graduated from Jacksonville University in Florida. She then worked as a probation officer in New Jersey before relocating to Georgia. Laurie worked as a court reporter both in court and freelance before taking on an administrative role with a contracting firm in Marietta. Her involvement with a pitbull rescue brought Laurie to Dallas, where she eventually joined the McKenna Farms team in 2023. Her hobbies include animal rescue, helping others, physical fitness, and taking care of her own rescue pets.

frontoffice@mckennafarms.org

mbaldus@mckennafarms.org

Authorizations Coordinator

Michelle joined the McKenna Farms team 13 years ago after family members introduced her to the organization. She lives with her husband of 25 years Franz, her beautiful teenage daughter, and their two dogs. In her free time, Michelle enjoys watching movies and going shopping!

srobbins@mckennafarms.org

Scocia Robbins, Equine Operations Manager

Scocia grew up in Kennesaw, and has been involved with horses since the age of 3. She volunteered at McKenna for 5 years before joining the staff as Equine Operations Manager. Scocia lives with her husband Michael, daughter Bryce, and their handsome dog Conway. Her favorite part of working at McKenna is “being able to get horsey hugs every day, especially from Gizmo!” Outside of work, Scocia enjoys watching her daughter ride horses, spending time with the two family horses Elly and Adira, coaching her daughter’s softball team with her husband, playing softball, kayaking, going to concerts with her husband, traveling with friends, and taking long walks with Conway.

cmccollum@mckennafarms.org

Director of Outreach and Volunteer Services, CVA

Cassie is from Powder Springs and is a graduate of Kennesaw State University. She was excited to join the team at McKenna Farms because it has two of her favorite things: horses and kids! Cassie loves spending time with her family which includes her fiancé Erin, three children Olivia, Eli and Andrew, three dogs, two cats, and one horse. Her hobbies include woodworking, crafting, gardening, and yoga. Her hidden talent is maintaining her family’s cars including changing oil and brakes!

sdennis@mckennafarms.org

Volunteer Training Facilitator

PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Steven Dennis served in the United States Navy 2007-2012, he sustained an injury that caused him to lose his ability to walk and use the right side of his body. During treatment at the Shepherd Center, he was first introduced to PATH Intl. and did Therapeutic Riding at a center in Atlanta, GA. He attended St. Andrews University, an equestrian college in Laurinburg, NC. He learned a lot about horses and competed in IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association), receiving his degree in Visual Arts and Therapeutic Horsemanship.

shutcherson@mckennafarms.org

PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

CHA English Level 1 Instructor

CHA Western Level 1 Instructor

Stephanie was born in Fargo, North Dakota but spent most of her time growing up in Montana. She now lives in Adairsville with her husband Steve, her Appaloosa horse Cooper, her Silky Terriers Bodie and Piper, and cats Sam, Sushi, and Motley. Stephanie has been a Horse Riding Instructor for over two decades throughout north Atlanta, including working with Georgia Special Olympics equestrian teams and coaching Interscholastic Equestrian Teams. She is certified with the American Side Saddle Association as an instructor, clinician, and judge, and is the founder of GALA (Georgia Ladies Aside). Stephanie has extensive experience in sidesaddle riding, and was even a participant in a Presidential inaugural parade! She is now excited to work at McKenna Farms and “help the organization achieve its goals of positively impacting the lives of so many people.”

mcarey@mckennafarms.org

Occupational Therapist MS, OTR/L

koconnor@mckennafarms.org

Occupational Therapist MS, OTR/L

Kerri is originally from Gulf Shores and is a graduate of the University of Alabama (Roll Tide) and the University of South Alabama. Kerri was drawn to McKenna Farms for the unique setting. She says, “I love the variety of spaces to work in and the creativity it allows. I love learning from the amazing staff and spending each day with sweet kids and their families.”

Kerri also has a passion for animal-assisted therapy and loves the bond between children and animals. She explains, “I interned for a place that does animal-assisted therapy using dolphins! I cannot wait to incorporate hippotherapy into my sessions at McKenna and see the amazing benefits it brings!” 

econrad@mckennafarms.org

Occupational Therapist MS, OTR/L

denders@mckennafarms.org

Occupational Therapist MOT, OTR/L

Danielle is originally from New Lenox, Illinois and is a graduate of Lewis University. She first learned of McKenna Farms through social media and says, “I could tell it was a close knit community and it was definitely something that I wanted to be a part of. Seeing how much the families are involved in the farm made it easy for me to decide this was where I wanted to work. Having all the outdoor space for treatment is such a unique aspect that McKenna Farms can offer!” In her free time, Danielle enjoys hiking, being outdoors, and traveling to explore new places. As a former dancer and dance teacher, she is excited to be part of McKenna’s Twinkle Toes adaptive dance program! 

afeduchak@mckennafarms.org

Occupational Therapist MS, OTR/L

Alexa is originally from Scranton, PA and is a graduate of Elizabethtown College. She has many special talents including being a thrower on the Track and Field Team throughout high school and college, serving as the mascot for her high school football team, and dancing for 15 years! In her free time, Alexa enjoys shopping for the best deals, trying new restaurants, and watching Netflix. Her ultimate career goal is to have a Ted Talk…but says she has to do something worth talking about first!   

kfoster@mckennafarms.org

Occupational Therapist MS, OTR/L

Kara is a former collegiate majorette from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and can still do a few baton tricks! In her free time, she loves shopping for great bargains at Goodwill and yard sales, doing home décor projects, and watching Hallmark/Disney movies. She lives with her husband Adam and their children Merritt and Everly.

hfranklin@mckennafarms.org

Occupational Therapist MS, OTR/L

Haley grew up in the Kennesaw area, where she currently lives with her dog, Nash, and her cat, Cleo. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia (go Dawgs!) and Brenau University. She is passionate about nature-based and animal-assisted therapy, and was drawn to McKenna Farms for the variety of treatment options it provides and the sense of camaraderie among the staff and therapists. With a bachelors in studio art, she loves any activity where she gets to be creative or break out her art supplies. She has an extensive Audible library, and enjoys board games, escape rooms, going to the movies, and practicing new cake-decorating techniques.

lkelshaw@mckennafarms.org

Occupational Therapist MOT, OTR/L

Lauren is originally from Moultire, Georgia, and graduated from the University of St. Augustine. In her spare time, she loves cooking, going to the beach, fishing, and playing with her puppy. Lauren enjoys the amount of creative space available at McKenna Farms, working with amazing kids, and being surrounded by an awesome community of therapists.

dbenville@mckennafarms.org

Speech Language Pathologist 

MS, CCC-SLP

Denise is originally from Vancouver, Washington. She enjoys planning family vacations, especially to Disney! In her free time, Denise volunteers with the Cherokee County Humane Society and the cat adoption center at PetSmart.

eblack@mckennafarms.org

Speech Language Pathologist

Erin graduated from Georgia State University. She lives in Rome with her husband Karsten, their dog, and their three cats. In her free time she enjoys thrifting, eating gelato, watching tv with her husband, and playing with her dog. Erin fell in love with McKenna Farms during her graduate school internship here and is excited to have officially joined the team! Erin loves making connections with her clients and helping them to communicate in ways that are best for them! 

kingram@mckennafarms.org

Speech Language Pathologist 

MS, CCC-SLP

Kara grew up right down the road from McKenna Farms. She loves working at McKenna Farms because “I love the opportunity to conduct therapy in a more naturalistic environment with a not-so-clinical feel.”  Kara is usually accompanied by her Therapy Dog, Dooley, who you will see out and about around the farm. In her free time, Kara loves to be outside, traveling, or hanging out at the lake. 

cedwards@mckennafarms.org

Speech Language Pathologist

Chloe grew up in North Georgia and now lives in downtown Dallas with her boyfriend and their two “neurotic, senior citizen” dogs, Bandit and Tinkerbell. She interned at McKenna before graduating with her Masters from the University of West GA and says she learned more here than all other settings combined! Chloe began horseback riding at six years old, and is now excited to learn more about hippotherapy. She specializes in trauma informed play therapy and believes that “communication is all about building trusting and joyful relationships where my clients never feel pressured or judged by me.” In her free time, Chloe is most often reading true crime or historical fiction, putting together puzzles, or cuddling on the couch with her dogs and weighted blanket watching Rupaul's Drag Race or Law and Order. 

tferguson@mckennafarms.org

Speech Language Pathologist

MA, CCC-SLP

jgolden@mckennafarms.org

Speech Language Pathologist

M.Ed, CCC-SLP

PATH Intl. CTRI.

Jessica graduated from the University of West Georgia. Her favorite things about working at McKenna are “the incredible atmosphere and great kids”. In her free time, Jessica enjoys riding horses, hiking, and being outdoors. She and her husband have four dogs, three horses, and one cow! 

mmorris@mckennafarms.org

Speech Language Pathologist

MEd, CCC-SLP

Mary Kate is a native Georgian. She loves working at McKenna Farms because the staff is “fantastic”! Mary Kate lives with her husband Kyle and their two children Brice and Emma.

csanford@mckennafarms.org

Speech Language Pathologist

Cara attended the University of Georgia for an undergraduate degree in Romance Languages before pursuing their Master’s of Science at Georgia State University. They speak Spanish, French, and Portuguese! Cara interned at McKenna Farms for their last internship of school, and just could not leave! They pride themself on having a client-lead, play-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach that empowers autistic and neurotypical clients alike. In their free time, Cara skates with Atlanta Roller Derby and enjoys hiking with their schnauzer puppy Junie.

yvelez@mckennafarms.org

Speech Language Pathologist

Yessenia is an Acworth native and a graduate of Georgia State University. Her favorite thing about McKenna Farms is “the fact that all the staff, therapists and clients feel like one big family.” Outside of work, she enjoys singing, watching movies, and spending time with her husband who is also her high school sweetheart! Yessenia is bilingual and is a great resource for our Spanish-speaking families

swelborn@mckennafarms.org

Speech Language Pathologist

Sarah attended the University of Georgia for undergrad and then Georgia State for grad school. She lives with her husband Josh, their bulldog-dachshund Roscoe, and their two cats Louie and Finn. In her free time, Sarah loves to go thrifting and work on DIY projects, and she’s a sucker for reality TV! Sarah loves the feeling of community at McKenna and the opportunity to interact with nature, and she’s excited to get trained in hippotherapy!

it@mckennafarms.org

IT, Webmaster

Franz has been involved with McKenna Farms for more than 16 years. He is the resident “fix it” guy for everything from electronic equipment to any type of machinery! Franz lives with his wife Michi, his daughter Michaela, and their two dogs Remi and Zack. He is admittedly stubborn, but he has a soft spot for the kids at McKenna. His future goal is to live in a castle.