Jaime has extensive experience in nonprofit management, grant writing, and the private, and public sectors. Her nonprofit career began a decade ago with Habitat for Humanity, where she held every position from volunteer coordinator to assistant director, working in both Washington and Oregon states. In the private sector, Jaime was the Executive Administrator for the Boundary Fish Company in Blaine. She is passionate about governance and politics and is also a former Blaine City Council Member! In 2015, Jaime began grant writing for ANT to stay meaningfully connected to her community. She was drawn to ANT for our natural approach to mental and behavioral health services and, being an avid animal lover, was especially curious about the benefits of human-animal interactions. Jaime was the Director of Operations & Development prior to stepping in as the ED in 2020. She has a deep appreciation for ANT’s culture of compassion, the spirit of our animals, and the brilliance of our staff.

Contact Jaime at jaime@animalsasnaturaltherapy.org.

A lifelong “horse girl without a horse,” Molly (and her son James) began volunteering with Mobile ANT in 2022. She later developed our Rainbow Bridge program as her graduate internship. Molly holds a master’s degree in public health from the Colorado School of Public Health, with a concentration in population mental health and wellbeing. Animals have reminded Molly how to breathe at the hardest points in her life, and she is passionate about making sure everyone has access to that same kindness. When she’s not snuggling with the goats, Molly is at home puttering in the garden with her kids or sitting with knitting in her lap and an audiobook in her ear.

Contact Molly at molly@animalsasnaturaltherapy.org.

Lindsey began volunteering with ANT as a youth mentor in 2019 after moving to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University. She is passionate about mental health and a lifelong animal lover, and was immediately drawn to ANT’s mission and work in the community. She has experienced the healing power of animals firsthand and loves to share in their magic with our participants. In 2020, Lindsey graduated from WWU with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology & Psychology and she completed her PATH ESMHL certification in 2023. Now, Lindsey finds a lot of joy in working with youth as they build relationships with the ANT herd. When she is not at the farm, you can find her exploring local trails, searching for the best pizza in Whatcom County, or deep in a good book.

Contact Lindsey at lindsey@animalsasnaturaltherapy.org.

Kelsy joined the ANT team in 2016, working part time just doing some animal care. She graduated from WWU with a Bachelor of Science in Biology (pre-veterinary emphasis) in 2017. She has cared for many animals in her past and now enjoys being out in the barnyard caring for ANT’s herd! After getting her PATH certification to become an ESHML, she loves her job of taking ANT animals into the community or sharing them in sessions with youth. When she is not in the barn, you will find her running or snuggling her bunnies and cat!

Contact Kelsy at barnyard@animalsasnaturaltherapy.org.

Haley’s love of horses from a young age propelled her to study Equine Sciences at Colorado State University, where she graduated in 2010. Since then she has worked on various ranches, farms, and animal facilities and has always had an interest in animal therapy. In 2017 Haley completed rigorous training to become a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and now hopes to pursue an Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning certification. Upon moving to Bellingham in 2016, she was instantly drawn to ANT and enjoys the tender, respectful, and reciprocal relationships fostered between animals and humans. If you can’t find Haley in the barnyard, she is exploring the beautiful wilderness surrounding Bellingham, mountain biking with friends, playing in lakes & rivers, playing and cuddling with her dog Otis, or setting her creativity free through her love of painting. Haley also has a passion for traveling in search of adventure and experiences that feed her sense of wonder.

Contact Haley at haley@animalsasnaturaltherapy.org.

After moving to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University in 2022, Lucy began her search for a forever home for Marley (her loving therapy horse); that’s how she found ANT! Six months after Marley joined the ANT team, she followed as well. Lucy has worked with horses for years with experience in Dressage, Pony Club, and WAHSET – even becoming State Champ with Marley in 2022! She is working towards her bachelor’s in behavioral neuroscience. Lucy enjoys spending time with Marley, Teddy (her rambunctious, non-therapeutic horse), going on adventures, home projects, Roblox, and cuddling with her cat, Chewy.

Contact Lucy at lucy@animalsasnaturaltherapy.org.

After moving to Bellingham in 2021 to attend Western Washington University, Vicky began volunteering at ANT as a youth mentor. Graduating in 2023 with her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a minor in Communication Studies, she began working as a behavior technician with neurodivergent children throughout Whatcom County. Now en-route to her PATH Intl. Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, she is so excited to expand her role in the ANT family and continue fostering the powerful connections between animals and our community! When she’s not at the farm, she is exploring Bellingham beaches with her dog Trout, or dancing at a concert!

Contact Vicky at volunteer@animalsasnaturaltherapy.org.

Kelly brings her passion for animals and experience to our animal care team. She grew up with horses and now helps care for two different herds here in Whatcom County. Kelly brings her experience working with veterans to our program team, as well as a lot of education and experience in mental health first aid, TBIs, and trauma.

Haley Didier: PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning

Kelsy Hartmann: PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning

Lindsey Polson: PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning

Lucy Poehlein: PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning

Kelly Patrick: PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning

Equines, cow, goats, pig, dogs, rabbits, chickens, and cats!

More than 130 fabulous volunteers mentor program participants, take animals into the community with our Mobile ANT program, and care for the animals each week! Check out our Volunteer page to learn more.

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