EMERALD HOLLOW
THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER
Staff
& Board
Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. is governed by a volunteer board of Directors, managed by an experienced and dedicated executive director, and further assisted by the most wonderful group of volunteers who support our daily operations.
STAFF
Nancy Sheridan
Founder and Executive Director
With her teaching degree from Boston College in Elementary & Special Education, and owning a small horse farm, Nancy found herself uniquely positioned to merge her passion for horses with her commitment to empowering people of all abilities.
In 2001 she established Emerald Hollow Farm, a 22-horse lesson and boarding facility. In 2010 she stepped into the world of equine-assisted services and in 2015 founded Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc., as culmination of her commitment to making a positive impact on individuals' lives through the power of horses.
Under her leadership, Nancy's dedication to empowering individuals remains at the core of every endeavor at EHTRC. Offering evidence-based programs that cater to individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, she has witnessed countless lives undergo profound transformations.
Nicole Sheridan
Program Director
Nicole grew up on her family's 22-horse boarding facility and started riding at the age of six. She has competed in the equine sports of Eventing, Dressage, and Fox Hunting.
Since obtaining her instructor's license in 2010, Nicole has honed her teaching skills and imparted the joys of horseback riding to students of all ages and abilities. Her instructional approach is rooted in patience, expertise, and a genuine desire to foster a deep appreciation for horsemanship in her students.
She has her PATH International Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification and Certified Horsemanship Association Riding Instructor Certification in English (Level 3 with Jumping) and Western (Level 2) riding.
Her expertise has made her a sought-after speaker at events where she passionately advocates for the life-changing benefits of equine-assisted services.
Julie Gregory
Instructor
Julie's introduction to Equine Assisted Services began as a volunteer in 2005 while living in western MA. She quickly fell in love with all aspects of EAS, from seeing the participants' joy and overall improvement in their lives to experiencing physical and emotional improvement in her own life, plus the bonus of spending time with and learning more about equines and their world.
When she moved back to Cape Cod in 2011, she began looking for an EAS center to volunteer at. It took a while, but in 2016, she serendipitously found EHTRC. She quickly started volunteering both in lessons and at the farm, continuing her hands-on learning of and appreciation for EAS.
She started her journey of becoming an instructor during the covid shutdown, filling that time with as many mentored teaching hours as possible. In 2020, she became a MA Licensed Riding Instructor and, in 2023, finalized her qualifications and became a PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.
She looks forward to continuing to impact lives for the good at EHTRC.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Don Cameron
President
Don grew up in Scotland and graduated from Cambridge University. He emigrated to the Boston area in 1971 and spent many summers on the Cape. After retiring from a career in computer software and systems consulting, he settled in Orleans. Having often felt an urge to be of service to others, he then trained in energy medicine and obtained professional certification. After opening his practice, he found he was particularly drawn to help survivors of emotional and physical traumas. Noticing that many of their symptoms were like those from combat PTSD, he decided to focus his practice on helping Veterans with PTSD. Don’s father was a WWII Veteran, and Don has always felt a connection with Veterans. For years he volunteered with the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center. Then, in 2017, an invitation from a friend on EHTRC’s board led him to join the board himself. He was intrigued to learn more about their Veterans Program, so he met the program sponsor at the Hyannis Vet Center and was invited to give his energy medicine treatments there as a volunteer. So he now enjoys the balance between his interests in energy medicine, Veterans and EHTRC. Don is also on the board of Orleans Can, a nonprofit advocating for town-wide wastewater management to protect our ocean and freshwater environment.
Michelle Andrews
Secretary
Michelle moved back to Cape Cod in 2018. She has a masters degree in instructional design and works at Cape Cod 5 on the training team. Looking for a way to give back to the community she came to Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center as a volunteer. Drawn to horses and helping people she instantly fell in love with the farm and quickly learned how the organization has made an impact on so many individual’s lives here on Cape Cod. When asked to join the board at EHTRC she gladly accepted the position.
Jean MacLeod
Treasurer
Jean is a Process Analyst leading a Global team in Project Operations in the Payments Technology Industry. She loves gardening and raising chickens in her spare time. Jean has been part of the behind-the-scenes activity surrounding the farm and Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center for many years. Although she lives off Cape, she grew up spending summers and weekends on Cape at their family home and has spent many an hour riding the Punk Horn on horseback. She has been part of many different fund-raising efforts for the farm, in particular helping to organize and run the yearly Yard Sale as well as being a Partners Posse member. With her background in finance and technology she recently accepted the invitation to join the Board of Directors and assume the role of Treasurer where she can help to maintain the books and financial reporting; allowing her to give more of her time to the organization remotely.
Shea Mahoney
Director
Shea holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Boston University. She is currently pursuing her Social Impact MBA from Boston University’s Questrom University School of Business.
Shea has always been passionate about animals and has been drawn to opportunities to work with them.
Eight years ago, Shea found EHTRC and immediately knew it was something special. She has been involved ever since.
Shea works as the Development Officer for the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.
She is an equestrian and the owner of Beau.
Catherine McClintock
Director
My love for horses started as a teenager when I stayed with my brother and owned my own horse. After graduating from college with a BS in Physical Education & Health and a Masters in Women’s Studies I taught for 28 years and coached girls’ sports for 16 years for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District in New York. After retiring in 2001 I moved to Cape Cod. I soon realized that there was a horse farm just down the road from the house I purchased. That is how I found Nancy and Emerald Hollow Farm. I started riding and found my love for the horse again. I believe that horses help us heal. When Nancy asked me to help her start a Therapeutic Riding Center I said yes. It’s been a real joy and very fulfilling to be part of this program. Oh, I also own a horse named Flash. LIFE FULL CIRCLE.