The NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center, a nonprofit accredited riding program, provides therapeutic horseback riding to people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities. The NWTRC is dedicated to enriching the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of our riders and their families in an environment which is safe, nurturing, challenging, and fun.

The NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center (NWTRC) is a non-profit NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) center, located in Whatcom County, in Western Washington.

The center follows stringent NARHA guidelines regarding its personnel, facilities, animals and paperwork. There is strict adherence to the highest national standards of safety of its riders.

Association with NARHA bestows program legitimacy and credibility to the NWTRC. A NARHA server provides discounted specialized insurance, as well as sets guidelines for the Center’s program. It does not, however, provide financial assistance. In fact, NWTRC pays over $1000 to NARHA annually to maintain its association.

The NWTRC was established in 1993 as a 501(c) (3) to provide therapeutic horseback riding activities for mentally, physically and emotionally challenged children and adults in Whatcom County.

The NWTRC currently has the capacity to serve up to 32 riders per week. Participants include individuals with autism, Down Syndrome, multiple sclerosis, brain injuries, and learning/behavior disabilities. Riders have ranged in age from 2 to 74.

Each of the NWTRC’s participants receives an individually tailored lesson plan that gears their riding session toward achieving a specific therapeutic goal. Each session involves a certified riding instructor. For each individual up to four volunteers may be needed to serve as horse leaders, rider sidewalkers and assistants. Group lessons often require up to 12 volunteers per session.

Julia Chapin Bozzo is the founder and director of the NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center located in Bellingham, Washington, and in operation since 1993. Julia is a NARHA certified Instructor, who received her training from the Fran Joswick Center (currently the Shea Center) in 1989. In addition, Julia is a certified Equine Appraiser. She has a BS in Agriculture and Horse Production from Wilmington College and did graduate work in Animal Science at New Mexico State University.

Danielle Shimota, NWTRC Riding Instructor. Danielle Shimota, NWTRC Riding Instructor. Danielle graduated with a major in Biology from WWU in Dec of 2009 and is currently applying to nursing school. Danielle is a registered NARHA instructor and has the love and attention of our riders. Danielle has a rich and diverse background in horses and horsemanship including 4_H, the WWU equestrian team and many zone and circuit shows. When not acquiring first place ribbons on the Quarter Horse Circuit with her horse Arthur she may be participating in any number of sport and recreational activities in Whatcom County. Danielle is a wonderful addition to our program.

Pamela Cady, Event Coordinator and Online Editor. Pam started spending her free time at the Center two years ago as a lesson volunteer. A lifelong horseperson (and former French/English teacher), she enjoys helping the students while sharing her love of animals. Pam has a B.A. from the University of Denver (’69) and, after teaching for 8 years in Steamboat Springs, CO, spent 25 years in the business world in San Diego. She, her husband, Dene, and their two dogs moved to Bellingham in 2008, after her retirement.

Danni Griggs, Lesson Assistant Danni has been an Instructor-in-Training with the NWTRC for 15 months, and this summer is also working as the Volunteer Coordinator. Danni grew up in Whatcom County and has always loved horses. She is currently living in Maple Falls with her mother and the "love of her life" - her Golden Retriever! In Danni’s words "I intend to teach at the NWTRC throughout my life, and don’t plan on going anywhere else soon!"

Christina Knutson, Barn Manager Christina graduated from Mount Baker High School in 2008. She replaced Kristina Haskell as Barn Manager (Kristina moved to Norway and is having a wonderful time). Christina is working for the NWTRC through the Worksource program. We are really happy and lucky to have her with our program.

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Meet our horses. The most valuable members of the NWTRC team. In fact, without them the center could not exist! They are truly the backbone of our riding program.

Kurt: Registered Norwegian Fjord Gelding; 13.3 hands. Born in Bellingham WA in March of 1991. Donated to Mike and Julia Bozzo in 1993. Kurt is exceptional at working with the most severely disabled riders due to his gentle nature and immense work ethic. Kurt is leader of horse and human. Kurt was awarded the NARHA "Region 9 Horse of the Year" for 2006! Read more...

Kleng: Norwegian Fjord Gelding; 13.3 hands. Born in Sooke. B.C. Canada on 10-11-91. Purchased by Mike and Julia Bozzo in 1994. Kleng possesses a friendly, calm personality, a strong steady walk, a tireless trot and a "rocking horse" canter. He is often used for beginning lead-line but also for independent riders because he is a friend to all. A gentleman and all around horse, Kleng excels at jumping, dressage, trail riding and is trained to pull a cart. Kleng won the prestigious "National Equine of the Year" in addition to the "Region 9 Equine of the Year" for 2009 at the national NARHA conference held in November, 2009, in Ft. Worth. Read more...

Dutch Treat: Dutch Warmblood X TB Mare; 15.3 hands. Foaled in Washington State in 1982. Leased in 1998 to the NWTRC by Pat and Carrie Bieber. Dutch Treat is extremely well trained and talented in dressage and jumping. She is truly a school master and is only improving with age. She is wonderful for adult and independent riders.

Cloud Nine: "Cloudy" is a 13 hand Welsh Pony mare foaled in 1988. In addition to her delightful personality, she has done "it all"; pulled carts, pony club, shows and lessons. Cloudy is on loan to the NWTRC from Sandra Hackney of West Linn, Oregon. We are so happy to have Cloudy with us at the NWTRC. She has become especially beloved by our smaller riders of whom she takes such good care.

Zorro: Norwegian Fjord Gelding. Born 4-28-2005. Zorro just completed his first riding season working with our instructor as well as in classes with students. He has exceeded our expectations, learns quickly, and is eager to please. He’s a true gem with an outstanding attitude – the sky’s the limit! Zorro was purchased by the NWTRC from Snowy Mountain Fjords, in Cawston, B.C., with funds from the D.V & Ida McEachren Charitable Trust. We are very exited about Zorro’s future with our program.

Vincent: Vincent is a 15.2 hand Trakener/QH cross foaled in 2003. He is owned by Julia Bozzo and is currently in training for his future as a dressage horse. He loves visiting with the riders and volunteers and never stops searching for treats. Vincent has the temperment and movement to work in the program and may be called upon to help.

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Mike Bozzo, Director: Mike has a degree in engineering from Chico State University. He worked for many years in the construction industry specializing in marine construction. He is employed with the Port of Bellingham as the maintenance and facilities manager. Mike designed and built most of the Center’s facilities and dedicates many hours a week as a volunteer maintaining the grounds, structures, and waste management. In his spare time Mike loves to garden, fish, and participate in autocross.

Julia Chapin Bozzo, Director: Julia is the founder and director of the NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center located in Bellingham, Washington, and in operation since 1993. Julia is a NARHA certified Instructor, who received her training from the Fran Joswick Center (currently the Shea Center) in 1989. In addition, Julia is a certified Equine Appraiser. She has a BS in Agriculture and Horse Production from Wilmington College and did graduate work in Animal Science at New Mexico State University. Julia is not a voting member of the Board of Directors.

Dr. David Sauter: Dave is a local equine veterinarian in Lynden, Washington. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1987 and completed an internship at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. After this internship, he continued to work exclusively with horses for another five years in Kentucky before joining Kulshan Veterinary Hospital in Lynden. He is a member of the AAEP, AVMA, and the WSVMA. In addition to other board activities, he provides valuable medical services to the Center’s horses.

Phil Simmons: Phil is the owner and operator of Coast Lumber, Inc. in Bellingham. He is an avid golfer and raises funds for the Center by running the annual golf tournament. Phil has been an active volunteer for 10 years during the Center’s riding sessions and a Board member for 7 years. He had been a volunteer for 2 years with a Therapeutic Riding center in Arkansas and worked 2 years with Special Olympics in South King county prior to joining the NWTRC.

Skip Ness: Skip retired recently after 40 years of instrumentation service at Georgia Pacific. A long time resident of Bellingham, Skip has been involved with the NWTRC as a volunteer, donor, and special event assistant since 2001. He has three daughters and enjoys riding, skiing, biking, and playing guitar.

Warren Monroe: Warren is co-owner of the design company Web Rodeo, which donated a new website and logo re-design to the NWTRC. Warren, an avid horseman, became a board member in 2006. He and his wife, Karen, provide invaluable web and program design as well as maintenance for our website.

Dorene Moors, Treasurer: Dorene is the mother of Jason, who has participated in riding at NWTRC for the past three years. She has worked for more than 20 years as a bookkeeper and brings that skill and knowledge along with her experience as a mother of a special needs child to her work on the board. Dorene is very involved with her family, church and other families of special needs children.

Mary Wister Rawlins, Chair: Mary is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and a Child Mental Health Specialist, currently in private practice in Bellingham. Mary and her husband, John, are developing a permaculture site on 5 acres in the county. Their daughter Laura is a rider at NWTRC and has flourished for over 10 years under the tutelage of Julia, the volunteers, and the horses themselves. Laura’s twin, Michael, currently lives in California and works in forestry research for U Cal Berkeley. In addition to the NWTRC, Mary is an active supporter of the Nature Conservancy and Lummi Island Heritage Trust, the Conservation Northwest, ARC of WA, and Special Olympics of WA.

Audra Schroeder: Audra joined the NWTRC board in 2010, after volunteering the previous year. The volunteer opportunity was the perfect combination of two things Audra adores in life...children and horses! The year of volunteer work had such a positive impact on her life, Audra jumped at the chance to serve as a board member and help the NWTRC on many other levels. Audra grew up on a ranch in South Texas. In addition to horses, she spent her childhood riding, chasing, playing with and helping to raise many other animals. She has called the Pacific Northwest home for the past five years. In her spare time, you’ll find her skiing at Mount Baker, hiking with her Fox Terrier, Mister Big, playing beach volleyball or running. Audra also loves to read and travel and because she gets homesick for Texas sunshine and great Tex-Mex cuisine, she jumps at any chance to return home and spend time with her family. In her professional life, Audra is a news anchor and reporter. For more than 13 years she has worked at various radio and television stations, most recently at KIRO-TV in Seattle and KGMI-Radio in Bellingham.

Josh Wilund: Josh Wilund brings more than 12 years NPO experience, having worked with Boys & Girls Clubs up and down the west coast. Josh began his career with the Clubs in 1997 in Lewiston, ID and has worked for organizations in Pasadena, CA, Bend, OR and now in Whatcom County. His capacity within the different organizations has ranged from Outdoor Education, Camp Administration, Trainer, Director of Programs and also Club Administration. His educational pursuits have taken him to Lewis-Clark, Linfield, National Outdoor Leadership School and the Wilderness Medicine Institute. Growing up in north Idaho, Josh spent much of his early years on his uncles’ ranch, in the backwoods fishing, hiking, hunting and exploring the inland northwest. He lives in Bellingham with his Doberweiler, Sadie. When he isn’t at the Ferndale Boys & Girls Club or another community function, he can be found fly fishing, cooking, kayaking, open-water diving, skiing, backpacking or traveling in Latin America.

Past Members
We would like to thank everyone for all their efforts over the years.

Gary Burlingame
Jack Ludwigson, ESQ.
Annette Boothe
Jeri Davis
Kate Simmons
Mary Jansky

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1884 Kelly Road • Bellingham, WA 98226 • 360-966-2124