Ex. Dir.

Connie S. Boggess, MS, CTRS, OTR/L

Executive Director

Connie is not only our founder, but she is continues to strive for the continued success and safety of all of the riders and programs through her relentless work as our Executive Director.

In addition to the day to day operations and year round fundraising, Connie also serves to educate the public through marketing and speaking engagements at local, state and national engagements.

In 1986, while attending West Virginia State College, Connie presented a paper of her dream recreational therapy facility. RCTRC is has become that facility. She has worked tirelessly in ensuring quality programming and therapy services are provided at our facility. Below is her curriculum vitae.

Connie has had an outstanding career in health care, education and community service. In 2001, Connie was awarded the Jefferson Award for community service.She was nominated by one of RCTRC's volunteers.

Her experience is vast, both educationally and professionally. Personally, she has been blessed with a wonderful husband, Joel, and two beautiful children, Joseph and Jennifer. Her parents, Skip and Shirley Gilkeson, play a major role in her life but also that of RCTRC, serving in many capacities.

Education	2005 Shawnee State University , Portsmouth, OH Bachelor of Science: Occupational Therapy 1992 San Jose State University, San Jose, CA Master of Science: Recreation Administration with emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation 1989 West Virginia State College, Institute, WV Bachelor of Science: Recreation with specialty in Therapeutic Recreation
Credentials	8/24/2007 - WV Birth to Three, Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health, WV Department of Health and Human Resources, Certified as Early Intervention Specialist August 31, 2005 - present – Licensure West Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy, License number 1239 2005 National Board Certification of Occupational Therapy Certification number: 1076969 exp March 31, 2011 2001 - present - American Red Cross - First Aid/AED/CPR Instructor 1992 - 2005 National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification - Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) Renewed Annually Certification number 1994 - Certificate American Hippotherapy Association - Introduction to Hippotherapy 1991 - Certificate National Recreation and Park Association, *Aquatic Exercise Instructor*
Professional/Community Presentations	2010 - Consultant for Camp Gizmo, Romney, WV 2010 - Level II - NBCOT Fieldwork Supervisior 2009 - Consultant for Camp Gizmo, Romney, WV 2009 - Level II - NBCOT Fieldwork Supervisor 2008 - Level II - NBCOT Fieldwork Supervisor 2007 - Level II - NBCOT Fieldwork Supervisor 2006 - NARHA Region 3 Conference - Indications and Contraindications for EAAT, Pipestem, WV 2005 - Presentation to the WV Down Syndrome Network meeting, Institute, WV. 2005 – Optimist Club of Huntington, West Virginia – Therapeutic Horseback Riding Benefits for Community Members 2000 - River Cities Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. for the West Virginia Public Television - WV Journal - aired January 21, 2001 1997 - 2005 Therapeutic Horseback Riding - presentations to West Huntington, Kiwanis; C-K Rotary; Huntington Rotary. Barboursville Rotary, and Optimist Club of Huntington January 1996 - "Aquatic Therapy", staff in-service University Rehabilitation Services 1995 - West Virginia Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference Presentation, "An Introduction to Therapeutic Horseback Riding" August 1995 - "Interdisciplinary Approach to Therapeutic Horseback Riding", in-service University Rehabilitation Services January 1995 - "The Horse as Therapy" in-services BrynLee Rehabilitation, Inc. 1994 - West Virginia Assistive Technology Annual Conference - "Adaptive Recreational Opportunities" April 1994 - "Behavioral Management: Introduction to the behavioral approach" in-service Huntington Rehabilitation Hospital 1992 - North American Riding for the Handicapped Annual Conference - "Recreational Therapy's role in Therapeutic Riding"
Continuing Education	Functional Electrical Stimulation RISE, Presentation by Julia Harper, OTR/L Handwriting without Tears Wilbarger Sensory Defensiveness Course May 17-19, 2008, John Barnes' Pediatric Myofascial Release, 12 contact hours, Richmond, VA April 12, 2008, Yoga for Kids Workshop, KO Yoga, 5 contact hours, 5 contact hours February 19-20, 2008 Practical Sense in Sensory Integration - Part 3, 1.4 CEUs, TheraPeeds, Inc. presented by Julia Harper, OTR/L Charleston, WV October 11, 2007,Snug Seat/R82 Product Presentation, Snug Seat Products, Charleston, WV Ocotober 11, 2007, Rehab Equipment In-Service, 5 WV BTT Contact Hours August 15, 2007, Advance Q Logic, Pride Mobility Products, 4 CEC May 31 & June 1, 2007, Seating: Bottom to Top, Freedom Designs, Inc. 13.5 Contact Hours, Perrysburg, Ohio February 20-21, 2007 Practical Sense in Sensory Integration,1.5 CEUs, TheraPeeds, Inc. presented by Julia Harper, OTR/L Charleston, WV March 16, 2007, Therapeutic Approaches to Children with Behavioral problems by John Pagano, PhD., OTR/L 6.5 Contact Hours, Education Resources, Inc., Columbus, Ohio 2006 Camp Gizmo, Romney, WV November 16, 2006, An Overview of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, 1.0 CEU, Handcredits.com February 2006 SI for EI (Sensory Integration for Early Intervention), by Therapeeds, Inc. presented by Julia Harper, OTR/L Charleston, WV February 2006: Celebrating Connections, West Virginia Early Childhood Association 2005: Completed an orientation regarding: Discrete Trail Training and Applied Behavioral Analysis by Solutions, Inc. a provider of services to children and adults in Charleston, WV. 1995-1997: Monthly In-services: University Rehabilitation Services: Neurodevelopmental Treatment; Normal Movement Patterns; School-Based Therapy 1995: West Virginia Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference 1994: Huntington Rehabilitation Hospital: Chronic Pain: A Multidisciplinary Approach 1994: American Hippotherapy Association: Introduction to Hippotherapy Certification 1993: North American Riding for the Handicapped Association Annual Conference 1993: American Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference 1992: North American Riding for the Handicapped Association Annual Conference 1992: American Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference 1991: American Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference 1991: Veteran's Administration Medical Center: Psychotherapy of Schizophrenia
Employment	2006 - 2008 Gentiva Services, Inc. Charleston, WV. A home health agency serving many areas of the state. 2005 - Milestones Physical Therapy, Hurricane, WV a WV Birth to Three provider, Occupational Therapist to children in Cabell, Kanawha, Mason, Putnam, Boone and Logan Counties. 2005 + - Occupational Therapist PRN for Generations Physical Therapy 1995+ River Cities Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. Milton, WV Executive Director/Contract Therapist 2001- 2004 Huntington Spine Rehab & Pain Center, Inc. Barboursville, WV Patient Care Technician/Recreational Therapist - 1998, 1999 and 2001 Marshall University Huntington, WV Part-time Instructor, Department of Parks and Leisure Studies 1995-1997 University Rehabilitation Services, Inc. Huntington, WV Director of Clinical Services and Recreational Therapist 1993-1995 Huntington Rehabilitation Hospital Huntington, WV Recreational Therapist 1992 West Virginia State College Institute, WV Coordinator: Rural Health and Wellness Project - Title III Grant; Adjunct Instructor, Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation 1990-1992 Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Palo Alto, CA Recreational Therapist
Professional Memberships	2004+ American Occupational Therapy Association 1995 Coalition for Child Life and Therapeutic Recreation Professionals - Member-at-Large 1990-1995 American Therapeutic Recreation Association - Professional Development Committee 1993-1994 and Academic Affairs Committee 1992-1993 1991+ North American Riding for the Handicapped Association - Region 3 (West Virginia, Virginia, North and South Carolina) 1995-1997; West Virginia State Networking Chairman 1992-1995, 2003+ and Research Committee 1993-1995 American Hippotherapy Association, a section of NARHA - 1994+ Equine Mental Health Association

2000 Recipient of the Jefferson Award for Community Service, presented May 7, 2001 by WCHS Television 8 and West Virginia Governor Bob Wise

The 2001 Jefferson Award

Connie served NARHA as the WV State Networking Chair up until 2009 and was the 2006 Region 3 Conference Co-Chair along with Dr. J. Tim Potter, Ph.D when West Virginia hosted the first ever NARHA Region 3 Conference in Pipestem, WV.