Therapeutic Riding of Tuscaloosa

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Staff & Board

Therapeutic Riding of Tuscaloosa (TROT) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization operating as a volunteer-run facility with a very small staff, most of whom have been with TROT since its inception.

We currently have several riding instructors, a licensed psychologist (available to conduct sessions), a volunteer coordinator, and 12 specially trained therapy horses.  

Want to learn more about how you can volunteer? Visit our volunteer page and volunteer testimonials page!

 

Staff

Marguerite Malone

CEO & Clinical Director


A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Malone has conducted her practice in psychology since 1986. Following her internship at UAB she practiced inpatient treatment before starting an independent practice. Knowing firsthand the value of equines in mental health she joined American Hippotherapy Association, North American Riding for the Handicapped (now PATH Intl) and Equine Growth and Learning Association and put her skills to work conducting equine-assisted therapies. She holds several awards for outstanding research, and maintains an adjunct appointment with the Department of Psychology at the University of Alabama.

Melanie Williams

Program Manager, Barn Manager & Lead Instructor


Melanie is a Teacher Assistant in the pre-K classroom of the RISE Center in Tuscaloosa as well as our Head Riding Instructor at TROT. She attended Shelton State Community College where she earned her associate's degree in Early Childhood Development. She has a strong passion for working with children and horseback riding. She has been riding horses for over 20 years and has been giving lessons to others for nearly 15 years.

Lori Neal-Epperson

Volunteer Coordinator


Lori was a Registered Nurse for most of her professional career. With retirement came the need to continue an active involvement with TROT. Wearing many hats, Lori serves as our Schedule Coordinator, wrangling our volunteers and staff and helping to keep a smooth flow for horse and rider alike. She helps remind everyone to come to their appointments on time, cheers from the sidelines, and enjoys watching our riders mature and grow with their horse pals. 

Board of Directors

Teresha Jones-Hamilton

Principal, Central High School, Tuscaloosa, AL

Allyson McNeill

Partners in Policymaking Alabama Cohort 2021-2022

Dr. Forrest Scogin

Professor, retired, Department of Psychology, University of Alabama

Jim Waltman

Real Bama Real Estate

Tracey Wharton

PhD, MSc, MEd, MSE, LCSW, Principal Research Scientist, National Network of Public Health Institutes, Washington, DC

Melanie Williams

Certified Instructor, Stable Moments, Tuscaloosa, AL

Lauren Wilson

Assistant Vice President for Research and Technology Agreements, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

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