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LEADERSHIP

Erica Kennemer
OTR/L, MOT, HPCS, CESMT
~Founder~

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."

          -Helen Keller

Erica (Woodroof) Kennemer grew up in central Arkansas. She has worked with and loved horses since she was a little girl. Needless to say, horseback riding has been an important part of her life.  She volunteered at a Christian-affiliated summer camp for nearly 10 years along with her older sister, assisting on trail rides and caring for horses.  She has participated in Western trail riding competitions, but mostly enjoys leisure rides with family and friends. Riding is a means to relax and get away from the everyday stress for her, like many equestrians. 

 

Erica graduated from Harding University with a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology. She married her college sweetheart, moved to Galveston, Texas, and decided to switch her focus to occupational therapy. Erica graduated in 2012 with a master’s degree in occupational therapy from University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She worked with adults in critical care units and rehabilitation hospitals for nearly 5 years, including prison hospitals and burn units, then moved back home to Arkansas to be closer to family and to escape Houston traffic. Erica joined On-Track Therapy in January of 2017, where her passion for working with children was re-ignited!

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Today, Erica Kennemer, OTR/L, MOT, is the owner of Therapy Monkey in Conway, AR and Therapy Monkey @ SCCH in Morrilton, AR.  She acts as the clinical director of the therapy team (OT, PT, ST) at this rapidly developing clinic, and the director and incorporator of HorsePlay Hippotherapy & Therapeutic Riding, Inc. She provides occupational therapy services to children at multiple barn facilities through facilitated equine movement. She continues to be an avid horse lover and has completed her AHA Level 1 course & AHA Level 2 course, where she learned techniques to facilitate various sensory experiences, physical challenges, and emotional challenges using targeted equine movement in occupational therapy sessions. 

 

She successfully sat for her Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPCS) certification in 2020, becoming the ONLY Occupational Therapist credentialed in the State of Arkansas.  Erica is also certified in equine sports therapy massage (CESMT) and provides services to all from pleasure riding horses to performance horses to her own therapy horses. Erica has treated children ranging from, but not limited to, sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, fine motor delay, coordination disorders, developmental delay, and behavioral disorders and consistently incorporates equine movement during treatment sessions.

Meet Our Board

Horses. People. Passion.

Our Board is a dedicated group of leaders who support our mission to help individuals with disabilities thrive through the healing power of horses. Together, their guidance and passion help drive HorsePlay forward and ensure we continue making a meaningful impact across central Arkansas.

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Director

Erica Kennemer

OTR/L, MOT, HPCS, CESMT

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Erica is the owner of Therapy Monkey and founder and director of HorsePlay. A graduate of Harding University and UTMB at Galveston, she is passionate about using equine movement to support children with sensory processing disorders, autism, and other developmental challenges. Erica earned her Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist certification in 2020, becoming the only OT in Arkansas with this credential. She is certified in equine sports therapy massage, and uses her background in speech-language pathology and occupational therapy to lead a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to improving the lives of children through innovative therapy. In her spare time, Erica enjoys spending time with her husband, JD, and son, AJ, trail riding, playing games, playing the banjo, knitting, and quilting.

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Treasurer

JD Kennemer

OTR/L, MOT, CKTP, CFCE, CETS, CEAS I

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JD Kennemer owns and operates Therapy Monkey in Conway and Morrilton. Through the partnership of HorsePlay and Therapy Monkey, JD combines his passion for serving others with his background of occupational therapy, IT, and business. JD strongly believes great things can be accomplished if you are willing to dream big enough and have the courage to succeed; and he is always on the lookout for other big picture entrepreneurs. His family includes Erica Kennemer (HorsePlay Founder and Therapy Monkey Co-Owner), his son AJ, and a farm worth of animals ranging from dogs and cats to horses, goats, donkeys, and counting.

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Secretary, Adult Sector Lead

Sarah Branscum

OTR/L, MOT, CBIS​

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Sarah Branscum is an occupational therapist at Therapy Monkey and Baptist Health hospital LR specializing in neurological disorders. She spent 13 years leading the Baptist therapy department in program development and diagnoses competences in traumatic brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological disorders. At Therapy Monkey, Sarah continues to specialize in neuro as well as primitive reflex integration, hippo-therapy, and vision therapy. Originally from Cabot, Arkansas, Sarah grew up always wanting to be in the medical field, finding her niche in rehabilitating clients through the use of hippotherapy, and finding a new love for riding horses. She holds a Bachelor of theology and biblical linguistics from Williams Baptist University and a Masters of Occupational Therapy from Belmont University. She is a certified Brain Injury Specialist. She is currently on track to become a certified hippotherapy specialist and a certified clinical primitive reflex specialist. On the weekends, Sarah can be found outdoors, playing tabletop games, cooking/baking, finding new restaurants, spending time with her family and friends.

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Equine Specialist

Jocelyn Caldwell-Tyson

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JJ Caldwell-Tyson is a passionate board member of HorsePlay, bringing energy, innovation, and a deep commitment to equine wellness with a heart for giving back. She owns Elite Equine Conditioning in Greenbrier, Arkansas, a facility offering horse conditioning, wellness services, summer camps, and lessons for riders of all skill levels. JJ recently launched her own equine feed line and continues to grow her impact in the horse community. She plays a key role in volunteer training and management, offers partnership opportunities through her facility, and is always brimming with creative ideas to support HorsePlay’s fundraising and events.

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Volunteer Coordinator & Public Outreach

Kendra Parrott James

M.Ed.

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As the Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator for HorsePlay, Kendra is passionate about connecting people with opportunities to make a real difference. Her journey with HorsePlay began in the most personal way—through her daughter, Ally, who participates in the program. Watching Ally and so many other kids grow in confidence and ability through Hippotherapy made Kendra fall in love with the mission, and she knew she had to be part of it. With a background in education, Kendra holds a bachelor’s degree in middle level education and a master’s in advanced studies of teacher leadership. She believes that when people follow their passions, they create an impact that lasts far beyond themselves. For Kendra, helping kids in her community and beyond is more than a role—it’s the most meaningful work she could ever do.

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Banking Advisor

Brody Hogg

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Brody Hogg has spent the last 5 years of his career at Centennial Bank and currently serves as a Commercial Loan Officer. Originally from Greenbrier, Arkansas, Brody grew up on a working farm and in a rodeo family, which instilled a strong work ethic. He holds an Information Technology degree from the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton and is involved in the Conway Rotary Club. On weekends, Brody can be found at his family's farm, enjoying a round of golf and spending time with his wife, Miranda, and their black lab, Sage.

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Social Media Advisor

Miranda Hogg

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Miranda Hogg is the Lead Content Creator at Conway Regional Health System, where she leads strategic initiatives to further the health system's mission. Originally from Greenwood, Arkansas, Miranda grew up on a working farm and has enjoyed riding horses her entire life. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of Central Arkansas. She is currently enrolled at Arkansas State to obtain her Master of Science in Strategic Communication. On the weekends, Miranda can be found trying a new recipe, spending time on the family farm, and spending time with her husband, Brody, and their black lab, Sage.

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Voting Member

Terri York

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Terri is one of the earliest supporters of HorsePlay and its mission. Having spent 60+ years in the saddle, she will be the first to detail the physical and mental health benefits horses can impart. From trail riding, to competition mounted shooting, to traversing across multiple states on horseback, Terri offers insight, wisdom, and guidance on both horse relationships as well as their rider counterparts. She is passionate about people. She is an avid, lifetime learner. She has never lost her sense of adventure. And she downright loves horses.

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