Kelly Dietrich
Chairman of the Board
I first got involved with We Can Ride when a colleague/friend asked me to help host a charity golf tournament for a non-profit organization she worked with; in 2007 we will hold our 10th annual Golf Tournament. At the time I hadn't heard of We Can Ride and I didn't have horses, but I had family members with physical and cognitive disabilities and the services We Can Ride offered sounded so unique and beneficial. One thing led to another and I joined my first (and only) Board of Directors. I, along with my husband Marv, have been actively involved with the Golf Tournament, Harvest Horse Show, and the Chefs' Dinner. It has been so rewarding to be a part of We Can Ride, especially with the exciting changes these past years and those that lay ahead of us. Since getting involved with We Can Ride I am amazed how many people I meet that have had their lives so positively touched by our programs. It warms my heart to be able to contribute to that kind of impact while "working" with so many big hearted people.

Betsy Adrian
I came to We Can Ride through my friendship with Mary Meland. She and I ride at Lear Stables together and she invited me to the Chefs' Dinner one year. I had a great time and learned more about the organization. When the invitation came to join the board I was more than happy to accept. I hope I can contribute in meaningful ways to the success of We Can Ride.

Larry Altman

Scott Franz
My initial involvement with We Can Ride began seven years ago when my wife, Patti, and daughter, Jenni, started volunteering. Over most of those years, I offered my support by cheering them on and by making monetary donations. In 2006, my son, Tommy, and I started volunteering and then I began to really understand what We Can Ride is all about. It had a great impact on me and I wanted to make more of a contribution, so I joined the Board of Directors and also started volunteering in the office to help with the computer systems. It has been a great journey so far and I really look forward to all of the exciting things that are going to happen over the next couple of years.

Adeline Kohman
My name is Adeline Kohman and I have been on the We Can Ride Board of Directors for six years. My husband Dale was a rider since the year 2000. Last year, in 2006, he was admitted to the Hospital in January and was there until he passed away on November 18th. He was very happy riding horses and looked forward to riding every week. He had very excellent volunteers that he enjoyed very much.

I keep busy by being a volunteer at my Church, St. John's Lutheran in Chaska, where I sing in the Choir, am on the Altar Guild, and participate in the Greeter program. I am also a Reader several times a year, and maintain the Alter in our Fellowship Hall, which is part of the history of our Church. I was recently the President of our Ladies Aid for two years and prior to that I was the Treasurer four years, at this time I am still an active member. I am one of two organizers at Church for the Oats Dining Out group and also a member of the Chaska Kids Dining Out group. Sometimes I help my daughter Kristine with 3rd grade Sunday school and Outreach activities. I also help, when I can, on other committees and attend Bible Class on Sunday mornings.

I am a life member of the VFW Auxiliary, Legion Auxiliary, and an Auxiliary member of The Military Order of the Purple Heart. I am also a member of the Chaska and the Carver County Historical Societies and I volunteer at the Auburn Home Care facilities.

I enjoy singing, sewing, gardening, cooking, canning, baking, traveling and I work part time doing filing for Rimage Corporation in Edina

Mary Meland
Secretary
Serving as Secretary on the We Can Ride Board combines most of my major interests in life. I've always loved horses and now that I'm grown up, I'm lucky enough to own two of them. In my career as a general pediatrician over the past 35 years, I have gotten to know many children with special needs of all kinds. I've also become close to their families. Sharing the benefits and joys of riding and driving with these children seems right to me in so many ways. As a mother and now grandmother of two (soon to be three) young children, I want to help build the physical health and emotional well-being that leads to a happy and productive life for each child regardless of their disability.

When I first knew Judi French as a riding instructor, she was the most positive, encouraging, and motivating person I had ever met. She always found something to praise while giving further instructions for improvement. She never gave up. When I heard of her involvement with We Can Ride, I knew that was where I belonged also. In the four years I have been on the Board, I have met the most dedicated and hard-working group of people who are determined to provide top quality riding and driving experiences for a wide variety of clients with special needs. I am proud to be a part of this group and I look forward to an even bigger and better We Can Ride program in years to come.

Pat McConnell
My family’s involvement with We Can Ride began in 1996 when my daughter became a rider in the program. Seven years later the opportunity came up to join the Board of Directors and I jumped at it. I bring with me an MBA and Masters of Science in Financial services, a 28 year career in the United States Army Reserve, and the experience of being a father of 5. I retired as Vice President from American Express Financial Advisors with 28 years of service. My daughter is still riding in the program today and looks forward to every class!

These days I fill my time with golf, (including making custom golf clubs), reading, traveling and cooking.

Kris Schones
I go way back with We Can Ride, as I was part of the committee that formed it in the early 80's. We met at the old Eden Prairie Stables, which is probably a housing development now! I volunteered for a short time but couldn't continue due to the ever-increasing time involvement in my career as a DAPE teacher and Athletic Director for St. Paul Schools. I also showed American Saddlebred horses locally and nationally. My husband and I have a hobby farm in Prior Lake where we had our Friesian, Noah, who got me back to We Can Ride. We needed a place that would give him a job and lots of attention, which he loves, and We Can Ride was just the answer. He has been at We Can Ride for over a year and everyone seems to love him. During that time, I also retired from teaching and had more time to devote to We Can Ride and I was asked to apply for a board position. The board approved my application and I now hope to continue promoting and serving We Can Ride as I did twenty-five years ago!

Monica Stanton
I am happy and honored to have joined the We Can Ride family in 2002 when my son became a rider with the program. Prior to this, our family explored many options and therapies as we strove to deal with autism. In 1998, our then 10-year-old son began therapeutic horseback riding at a program in Longmont, CO and we became believers in the value of this wonderful type of therapy. While living in Boulder, CO, I served on the Board of Directors of The Association for Community Living, Boulder County's chapter of The Arc of the United States. My professional experience in the disability community includes working as an RN for the past 25 years, including my present employment providing waiver case management and health care coordination for disabled adults. In March of 2004, I joined the We Can Ride Board of Directors. Now that we are again living in our home state of MN, my husband and I enjoy volunteering for We Can Ride, in support of opportunity for disabled children and adults.

VeeAnn Wood
I was born and raised in Minnesota with a love of horses from the start. When I was young I got some good advice from my father who told me that if I wanted to have horses I had better go to school so I could afford them. So, I did, earning a Bachelor in Physical Education and later going on to get a Masters in Education. I spent 10 years teaching physical education to youth at the Michael Dowling School.

I have been involved with horses throughout my life, from giving pony rides at Minnehaha falls, to being a trail guide, to training horses and judging horseshows, to owning Westwood farms, a very successful Morgan, Saddlebred, and Hackney Pony training barn west of the Twin Cities area.

I have been a We Can Ride board member for six years now, serving as the vice chair for the past few. I am also involved with WSCA, local 4-H, and the Morgan Youth Group.