Staff
Our Staff consists of dedicated Professionals and Volunteers who are committed and truly care about the individuals we serve. Our Special Horses are key Staff Members. We are fortunate to have Veterans and Psychologists who generously volunteer their time.
Our Staff includes:
- Executive Director
- Assistant Operations Manager
- Program Session Manager
- Program Session Coordinator
- Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors
- Equine Specialists
- Mental Health Professionals
- Equine Care Coordinator
- Instructors in Training
- 12 Special Horses
- Volunteers
- Barn Cats
Founder/President/Executive Director
Janet L. Brennan
Founder/President/Executive Director
Janet L. Brennan
Janet Brennan is the Founder of Shamrock Reins. She serves as the Executive Director responsible for managing the operations of Shamrock Reins in addition to serving as President of the Board of Directors.
As the Founder of Shamrock Reins, Janet has always loved horses and their interactions with people. Janet believes strongly in the healing powers of horses and her goal is to bring these powers to those in need. Janet also firmly believes that as US citizens we have a responsibility to our Veterans, Military Personnel, and their Families and that by bringing horses together with our Heroes and their Families we will be able to assist them in their recovery and healing and assimilation back into civilian life.
Janet is a Registered Nurse and prior to incorporating Shamrock Reins, Janet spent 20 years in the Pharmaceutical Biotechnology outsourcing industry serving in various leadership and management roles. Most recently Janet held the position of Chief International Affairs Officer and Executive Vice President at ReSearch Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., (RPS) a clinical research organization located in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. While in this position Janet was responsible for incorporating in 65 countries and for managing the operations in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Janet also served on the Board of Directors of RPS for 4 years.
Prior to her tenure at RPS, Janet held various Director and management positions at Kendle International, Omnicare (formerly IBAH), and Covance (formerly PACT). Janet began her nursing career in the cardiac unit at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania followed by a position as Clinical Nurse in the Emergency Department of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Janet is a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) and obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University, College of Allied Health Sciences.
Assistant Operations Manager
Victoria Aughe
Assistant Operations Manager
Victoria Aughe
Tori grew up in a small town near the Pocono mountains. Her love for horses started with a sleepaway camp at a farm when she was young. Once she interacted with horses, her love for their sweet nature grew tenfold. Throughout her childhood and adolescence, she did barnwork in exchange for riding lessons. Eventually, she led trail rides and taught beginner western and beginner jumper lessons to children throughout highschool.
Horses helped her through difficult times while growing up, so she aspired for a career where she could help people through the love of horses. Following her passion for horses and science she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Equine Science with a specialization in Breeding from Del Val. During her undergrad, Tori worked at both the Equestrian Center and Breeding Center as Interim Manager. She also loved her volunteer work at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Facility as a NICU foal nurse, caring for sick mare and foal pairs in the hospital. Only during the last few months before graduation, did she learn about the “newer” therapy that is Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. Tori then knew that she wanted to pursue a career in the EFP field and luckily she found Shamrock Reins before she graduated.
Tori started out at Shamrock Reins as a volunteer and is now the Operations Manager. Throughout her time here, she has enjoyed learning more in depth about veterans, first responders and military culture. Being able to give back through her career to such an underserved population, has proved nothing but rewarding for her. During her downtime, Tori likes to spend quality time with her animals which includes Sonni her horse, Stryker her dog, her two cows Mooshu and Charlotte, and her 9 chickens.
Program Session Manager/Advanced Therapeutic Riding Instructor/Equine Specialist/Mentor
Vera Dragunas
Program Session Manager/Advanced Therapeutic Riding Instructor/Equine Specialist/Mentor
Vera Dragunas
Vera has loved and owned horses for most of her life. She currently lives on a farm in Northern New Jersey that includes her family and a field full of horses, dogs, cats, chickens and a pig. She was heavily involved with the United Stated Pony Club alongside both of her children for many years. She went back to school to Centenary University to become a PATH International Certified Advanced Instructor. Vera also is an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and has a certification from PATH in Equine Services for Heroes.
After growing up with her dad who is a World War II Veteran, she became aware of the therapeutic benefits that horses provide. Shamrock Reins has allowed her to work with a variety of horses, veterans, first responders and their family members. She uses horses to help people heal, and Shamrock Reins has been the perfect place to help facilitate a special bond between participants and these highly intuitive animals.
Equine Care Coordinator
Shannon Sanders
Equine Care Coordinator
Shannon Sanders
Mental Health Professional
Dottie Kelly
Mental Health Professional
Dottie Kelly
Mental Health Professional
Dakota Sheehan
Mental Health Professional
Dakota Sheehan
I grew up in South Jersey where my love for outdoor activities blossomed. As a kid, I competed in barrel racing, spending many hours with my horse. I completed my undergraduate at Chestnut Hill College majoring in psychology and criminal justice. There, I did both my thesis papers on the benefits of animal-assisted therapy. After taking a few years off from school, I visited a therapy barn and my passion was once again sparked. I immediately started applying to graduate programs with the long term goal of doing equine-facilitated psychotherapy. I started off at Shamrock Reins as a mental health intern but recently graduated from Delaware Valley University with my Master’s in Counseling Psychology. I will be working at Shamrock Reins while filling the needed hours to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. As a therapist, my role is to be a co-pilot to assist veterans in navigating challenges that are causing distress or impeding their ability to live more fulfilled lives. I strive to help participants achieve increased self-understanding and work toward their personal goals. It excites me to use experiential equine activities with CBT and psychodynamic theory concepts. I have 5 years of experience working with veterans and find the experience very rewarding. I am a Certified Brain Injury Specialist and feel very comfortable working with those who have suffered from a TBI. I currently live in PA and enjoy outdoor activities such as snowboarding, water skiing, quadding, and going on hikes with my dog!
Administrative Operations Assistant
Holly Dragunas
Administrative Operations Assistant
Holly Dragunas
Holly has been surrounded by horses her entire life and grew up on a small farm in Northern New Jersey, where she was able to develop her passion for horses. She recently graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s of Science. Her grandfather is a World War II veteran and has sparked her interest of working and giving back to veterans through the powerful therapy that horses provide. Working here has allowed her to give back to our veterans, first responders and their family members while also being surrounded by these amazing animals.
She is so grateful to be given this opportunity to work at Shamrock Reins and to learn more about what it takes to provide such incredible services for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
Barn Cat
Katie
Barn Cat
Katie
Katie is our barn cat and deemed the “Queen of Shamrock.” She will greet everyone in the parking lot and is not afraid of cars, so be careful when pulling your car out! She is talkative, playful, and loves napping. Katie is a character and a vital member of Shamrock Reins.