CHESTERTOWN — Theresa Snyder has retired as executive director of Kent Association of Riding Therapy, the organization announced in a news release.
KART was founded in 1984 to help children and adults with special needs enhance their social and developmental growth. According to its website, the nonprofit uses a multi-faceted program involving therapeutic horseback riding, grooming and caring for the horse, and comprehensive classroom instruction.
During Snyder’s 13 years at the helm, KART has grown in magnitude, reputation and community impact.
The organization expanded from serving local public schools to serving Chestertown Christian Academy, Easterseals Camp Fairlee, Kent Center, Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s and Heron Point communities.
In addition to handling the day-to-day responsibilities of coordinating volunteers, schools, other organizations, therapy horses, PATH instructors and the horseback riding therapy sessions at Worthmore Equestrian Center near Worton, Snyder was instrumental in finding funding sources for KART, which provides services to the community with disabilities at no cost.
Snyder came to KART as a volunteer, and in a fortuitous turn of events, it turned out that she was a grant writer.
According to the news release, Snyder brought in more than $1 million over the 13 years by writing grants and coordinating fundraising events such as special dinners, golf tournaments, half marathon/5K runs, River Packet cruises and Kitty Knight House outings.
Each year she put together the spring and fall appeal letters and the newsletters.
Her personal connection with family foundations resulted in more funding for KART.
As executive director, Snyder was responsible for KART’s budgets, reporting to the board of directors on all activities and attaining certification as a Premier Accredited Center of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.)
The accreditation process is a peer review system in which trained volunteers visit and review centers, in accordance with PATH Intl. standards. A center that meets the strict accreditation requirements based on the administrative, facility, program and applicable activity, and service standards becomes a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center for a period of five years.
Snyder — whose work ethic, organizational skills and attention to detail are first rate — did this three times for KART.
“Even though Theresa was paid for her ED position, her dedication, commitment, and love for KART was evident when she listed her hours at the barn with the riding sessions as volunteer hours,” the news release states.
“She had a wonderful way about her relating to the students, volunteers, instructors, board members and others. She always had a positive attitude and was willing to go above and beyond normal expectations,” according to the news release.
In thanking Snyder for all she has done for KART and the community with disabilities, the board noted that “her passion and foresight will never be forgotten, and her tireless commitment and visionary leadership leave behind a lasting legacy that will guide us for years to come.”
Daphne Young has been named as Snyder’s successor.
Young “brings a lifelong love of horses and a deep commitment to being of service to others — values that align beautifully with our mission,” according to a post on the KART website.
Young has a background in health care leadership and horsemanship.
“Throughout her career, Daphne has demonstrated dedication to community impact and a heartfelt connection to equine-assisted programs,” according to the post on the KART website.
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In other KART news, Jean Leverage of Chestertown has been appointed to the board.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in the northern suburbs, Leverage earned a degree in animal science and a certificate in laboratory animal science from Delaware Valley College (now University).
Professionally, she has held roles in administration and human resources at several local organizations including Kent & Queen Anne’s Hospital (now University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown), Schlegel Corp., CFF and eventually joining her husband Ned’s company, Life Science Products.
Along the way, she returned to college to complete certifications in adult learning and Adobe graphic design.
She also co-founded Camp Discovery, a full-summer program for middle schoolers; served on the board of the Humane Society of Kent County; took part in a few Church Hill Theatre productions; ran a small human resources consulting firm to support local businesses; and for a time, worked with a certified therapy Chesapeake Bay Retriever that visited hospices, hospitals and schools.
Her connection to KART came through Bridges at Worthmore, Worthmore Equestrian Center and owner-operator Pam Kuster — along with the donation of the family’s beloved horse “Mo” to the program.
“After missing the warm breath of horses, I joined as a volunteer and have quickly seen what a meaningful impact KART has on its riders and how special the community is,” Leager said in a written statement.
“I look forward to supporting the Board and helping the program continue to thrive,” she said.
