Michelle has been a Maine resident for the past 33 years but is a transplant from her home states of Rhode Island & Connecticut. She has been working with horses for 20+ years and had success through New England states in gymkhana competitions with her first rescued horse – AQHA "Docs Special Touch". She recently accepted the position of Director of Operations for HEART Equine Ambulance (Humane Equine Aid & Rapid Transport) after spending 4 years as Barn Manager at Pineland Farms Equestrian Center in New Gloucester, Maine. Michelle was previously employed with the local Humane Society and veterinarians as veterinary technician, worked as Farm Manager and Animal Assisted Therapy Coordinator at group home for boys in state custody, and served as volunteer coordinator for a NARHA Premier therapeutic riding center. She is a charter member of the Androscoggin County CART (County Animal Response Team), focusing on large animal/livestock issues in emergencies & disasters as well as the Chair for the Maine Equine Welfare Alliance and an Advisory Council member of New England Federation of Humane Societies. Michelle began her involvement with TLAER in July 2008 by hosting a course in Maine then assisted at another course in Kentucky and at the Mounted Police Colloquium with Rebecca. She has since assisted at Maine’s second course, as well as courses in CT, NY, & MD in 2009, and at KY, FL & NY in 2010. Michelle shares her home, Whistle Ridge Farm, with Maggie, a Percheron/Morgan mare from the PMU industry, Zephyr (a miniature horse acquired from a state neglect case), two Portuguese Water Dogs, and seven cats. Somehow, she also finds time to operate a guinea pig rescue from her home. She has taken in over 300 abandoned/abused/neglected guinea pigs and found adoptive homes for more than 200. Michelle’s horse Maggie is a TLAER Demonstration horse and her horse Pippin made appearances in several TLAER courses prior to her untimely and unexpected death in 2010.

  Visit HEART at www.equineambulance.com or

Humane Equine Aid and Rapid Transport
HEART provides state-of-the-art emergency transportation services for injured or ill horses.
Our highly-trained crew specializes in loading and transporting horses that need urgent care.
HEART also offers programs aimed at educating the general public on standards of care for competition-level horses.
HEART serves as an ambassador to the world of competitive horse showing, providing and promoting the highest standards of care for equine athletes.

Visit MEWA at www.maineequinewelfarealliance.com or

The Maine Equine Welfare Alliance - Helping Horses...Educating People! The Maine Equine Welfare Alliance is a grassroots affiliation of horse owners, the equine industry and horse lovers committed to enriching and enhancing the lives of Maine’s equines through direct assistance, foster care, emergency intervention and public education.”