About SunriseTRC

Our Mission

Sunrise has proudly served the Richmond community for over 40 years. Our PATH certified instructors, and instructors-in-training, are familiar with many different diagnosis and disabilities to help our participants safely learn the joy horses bring into our lives. We currently offer services to over 300 participants each year!

Our Horses

Our horses are more than just lesson animals - they are our partners. We carefully select and train each horse for their specific role in our program. Our horses are well-cared for and loved by our staff and students alike. Our horses provide over 100 mounted and unmounted lessons each month, touching lives across Wayne County and beyond. These quiet, confident partners play a vital role in helping our participants grow and thrive.

Our Instructors

Our team of PATH certified instructors, and instructors in training, have years of experience teaching riders of all ages and skill levels with an array of disabilities. We are passionate about sharing our love of horses and helping our students achieve their goals. We believe in creating a supportive and positive learning environment for all riders.

We're one of more than 767 PATH Intl. Member Centers around the globe. We are committed to PATH's safe, ethical and professional standards established for the equine-assisted services industry.

PATH Intl. Premiere & Member Centers offer the best! PATH Intl. centers can proudly display the PATH Intl. logo, a recognized symbol of quality assurance and safety in the equine assisted services industry.

Meet Sunrise's Furry Friends

Meet Dolly!

Dolly is our superstar Paint horse—the kind every center hopes to find. She’s the ideal blend of traits: not too tall, sturdy in build, and wonderfully gentle, kind, and patient. Dolly’s steady temperament makes her a reliable partner for riders of many abilities. She’s truly a unicorn in our herd, and we’re grateful to have her as part of the Sunrise team.

Meet Rocky!
Rocky may be small, but he’s full of heart! This mighty little horse is a favorite in our unmounted lessons, where he helps nervous participants build confidence as they learn horsemanship and safe handling skills from the ground. Rocky also loves greeting his fans—whether he’s at Sunrise or out in the community, making every interaction special for the people who meet him.

Meet Molly!

Molly is one of the newest and biggest members of the Sunrise herd, standing at approximately 16 hands tall! She arrived at Sunrise on August 27 and has already made a wonderful impression on our program.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Molly spent her early years working on a farm before becoming an Indiana girl four years ago. She has an independent spirit and likes to do things her own

Meet Freedom!

Freedom is a beautiful 7-year-old Mustang mare with an independent spirit and a personality as big as her beauty! She knows what she wants, but don't let that independent streak fool you. Freedom absolutely loves being the center of attention!

She has a special bond with her buddy Molly, and the two make quite the pair. Freedom has also been sharing her sweet side by helping with lesso

Meet Lulu!

Lulu, short for Lululemon, is a 23-year-old Paint mare with a kind, gentle soul who loves attention and soaking up all the love she can get! She works well with children and has a knack for knowing when to take things slow. Lulu is definitely more “woah” than “go,” making her a calm, easygoing friend who enjoys taking life at her own pace. Whether she's spending time with her people or r

Meet Mac!

Mac is a new resident and a 17-year-old Paint gelding with a kind, gentle soul. He enjoys the simple things in life, especially grazing in the pasture and spending time with his buddy, Lulu.

Before coming to Sunrise, Mac had spent his life in just one pasture, so boarding at Sunrise was a new adventure for him! This sweet guy is settling into his new surroundings and enjoying his time wit

Our Staff

Dianna Kirksey
Executive Director

Dianna has served as Executive Director of Sunrise since 2019, leading the organization through growth, innovation, and exciting new opportunities. She has played an instrumental role in strengthening Sunrise's programs, expanding its nonprofit infrastructure, and advancing the organization's mission to serve individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted s

Melissa Walters, OTA, PATH Intl. CTRI
Program Director

Melissa serves as Program Director for Sunrise, bringing extensive experience in adaptive riding and equine-assisted services. She is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), combining her expertise in rehabilitation and horsemanship to help develop safe, effective, and meaningful

Sara Timmons
Barn Manager

Sara has been a valued member of the Sunrise team for three years and is one of our two full-time staff members. As Barn Manager, she oversees the daily care and well-being of our equine partners while supporting many aspects of Sunrise's operations. Her versatility, dedication, and willingness to step in wherever needed make her an invaluable part of our organization.

Wit

Dan Alaggio
Barn Assistant

Maggie Hall

Barn Assistant

Our Board of Directors

Janice Edelman
Board of Directors

Hannah Lipps

Board President

Ashton Wetherell

Board of Directors

Sue Miller, RN, CRRN
Board of Directors

Sue Miller is a retired Registered Nurse with more than 30 years of experience at the University of Colorado Medical Center. Certified in Rehabilitation Nursing (CRRN), she specialized in rehabilitation services for children and adults at a Level I Trauma Center, where she also managed the DRG-exempt Rehabilitation Unit.

In addition to her healthcare career,

Leighanne Hahn
Board of Directors