Meet the TROT Staff

Jeff Copfer
Executive Director

Email: jcopfer@trotarizona.org

(520) 749-2360, Ext 601

Jeff has been married to his wife, Amy, for 29 years, and they have three children.

They live only five minutes from TROT with  their two horses: Ernie who is an Arabian/Saddlebred mix and Bert who is an Arabian.

 

Jeff was born and raised in West Berlin, Germany.  After completing High School in Germany, he joined the US Air Force and finished his nearly nine-year career as an Instructor at Vandenberg AFB in California and then transitioned into law enforcement.

For 26 years, he was a deputy sheriff with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department ascending to the rank of Captain. He ended his career  in law enforcement as the Administrative Division Commander responsible for strategic oversight and guidance of the 160-million-dollar department budget, recruiting, human resources for the over 1,400 employees of the department and the training section responsible for the police and corrections academies.  He is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, U of A Southwest Leadership Program, FBI LEEDA Command and Executive Leadership Institutes, and the Arizona Leadership Program.

With over a decade of mid to executive level experience in budgeting, human resources, project management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership, TROT is the home he always yearned for. #StrongerTogether

Susan Hicks
Development Director

Email: shicks@trotarizona.org

(520) 749-2360, Ext 602

Susan is a native Tucsonan. She graduated from Amphitheater High School where she was in the Future Farmers of America program. She has been married to her husband Don for 37 years. They have two adult children and two granddaughters. Susan has always loved animals and shares her home with her Great Pyrenees, Duke and her PACC rescue Vizsla, Hans.

Susan came to TROT in February, 2025 with 10 years fundraising experience and is really looking forward to putting this to use raising funds and community involvement for TROT. Susan was a paralegal for 35 years before changing careers. She attended the University of Arizona and received her Business Administration degree from University of Phoenix.

Dora Kafkaridou Brown
Program Director

PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning
PATH Intl. Mentor and Supervising Instructor

Email: dkafkaridou@trotarizona.org

(520) 749-2360 Ext: 608

Dora was born with a love for horses, always in awe of their emotional awareness and intelligence. She began riding as a hunter-jumper at age seven and continues her education as a dressage rider today. Dora has had the pleasure of training as well as caring for horses, both her own and within different program settings. She currently owns a young Duch Warmblood, Spectra, and manages TROT’s equine-welfare and training.

As a graduate from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s in psychology, Dora has dedicated her career to non-profit organizations. She was involved in behavioral health for over ten years, working extensively with children in the foster care system providing behavioral management, de-escalation training, as well as grief and loss work. Dora has held an Equine Specialist certification thru Eagala and was the program director for an equine-assisted psycho-therapy program prior to her arrival at TROT.

Dora begun her involvement with TROT as a volunteer and quickly fell in love with our programs and mission. She stepped into the Program Director role in 2019. She is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, as well a Mentor thru PATH Intl. Her passion for her career and unique skills assists our participants in reaching both their horsemanship and personal life goals, while ensuring that our TROT programs adhere to the highest PATH Intl. standards, that our herd’s care is always equine-centered, and that our programs are at the highest industry standards.

Laura Bissing
Volunteer Coordinator

Email: volunteer@trotarizona.org

(520) 749-2360 Ext: 612

Laura grew up in Tucson, AZ and after traveling across the country for her degrees, has returned to the desert. She holds a B.S. in Communications from NAU and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Elon University. Throughout her life she has been very service minded with a wide breadth of volunteer experience ranging from animal rescue and therapeutic riding to pro bono services and youth recreation programs. She is always eager to learn new things and believes some of her best teachers have been the four legged and furry kind. She is excited to put her skills to good use as Volunteer Coordinator at TROT.

Carolyn Ohrel
Office Manager

Email: info@trotarizona.org

(520) 749-2360 Ext: 600

Growing up in Alabama, horses were the focal point of Carolyn’s life, including pony club and eventing. She migrated to Arizona for college and later worked as a sign language interpreter, paralegal, and fitness coach before finally finding her dream job at TROT where her passion truly lies.

Sierra Ohrel
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

PATH Advanced Instructor
Equine Specialist

 

Email: sierra@trotarizona.org
(520) 749-2360 Ext: 605

Sierra’s approach to mental health and healing beautifully integrates her deep-rooted connection with horses and her expertise in counseling. Growing up immersed in a horse-centric lifestyle and coming from a multi-generational ranching family, Sierra’s life and career are naturally intertwined with the equine world. She brings an eclectic, holistic approach to therapy as an Advanced Certified Instructor and Equine Specialist through PATH International, along with a master’s degree in counseling psychology with an emphasis in Equine Assisted Mental Health.

Her certifications as a First Responder Counselor, Post-Traumatic Growth specialist, and various other specialties, such as EMDR, JourneyDance™, and Nature-Based Therapy, reflect her dedication to providing well-rounded care for her clients. This commitment is further augmented by her longstanding relationship with TROT where she started the mental health program in 2010 and has worked for over two decades.

Sierra’s perspective on therapy is transformative. She sees the natural world, especially the horses, as key partners in the therapeutic process. She views her “office” as the world around her, with horses serving as powerful connectors that guide individuals on their journey of healing and self-discovery. This approach reflects Sierra’s deep respect for the human-animal bond and her understanding of nature’s inherent ability to foster growth and emotional well-being.

Ellen Coleman
EAL Facilitator

PATH Intl. Equine Asst. Learning Facilitator
PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning
Equine Assist. Coach

Ellen, a Tucson native, has been passionate about horses from an early age, especially in English riding disciplines. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from the University of Arizona and later pursued a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. After working as a counselor in community mental health, Ellen transitioned to teaching elementary school, which she did until starting her family in 2012.

Following a break from riding, Ellen rediscovered her love for horses through dressage, sparking a renewed passion for the intersection of horses and mental health. This journey led her to explore the deeper wisdom that horses offer—teaching presence, heart-centered leadership, and active listening. Driven by her love for teaching, wellness, and personal growth, Ellen completed her Equine Assisted Life Coaching certification through Equine Alchemy in 2023.

She began volunteering at TROT in 2022 and earned her Equine Assisted Learning Certification in Personal Development through PATH International in 2024. Ellen lives in Vail with her husband, three children, their goldendoodle Wynston, and her PRE Andalusian horse, Midas.

Kim
Kim Kime
Barn Manager

In early 2108, Kim became involved with TROT as a volunteer and soon thereafter, part-time barn staff. She grew up in the Phoenix area and holds a B.S. degree in Zoology from Northern Arizona University. After relocating to Tucson with her husband in 2017, Kim wanted to fill her time by volunteering at another equine rescue. “I was looking to connect somewhere and share my recent passion in caring for horses. TROT came up on my search, and I have no idea what therapeutic riding was all about but thought I would give it a try. I was hooked!”

Having already raised a family of four children and worked in her career field as a small animal vet tech and wildlife biologist for the Arizona Game & Fish Department, Kim now gets to do something for fun that she absolutely loves! Between volunteering and working, Kim spends three to four days on the TROT property. “We all have a role to play in the TROT mission, and mine is caring for these wonderful therapeutic riding horses so that they are at their best when working and connecting with the riders.”

 

Vicki Ortega
Barn Assistant

Coming Soon!

Scott
Scott Harris
Property Lead

Scott became a TROT volunteer in 2023 as a sidewalker. He was in the process of becoming a horse handler when the opportunity for a property lead became available. He started his new journey with TROT in March of 2024.

Scott grew up in the Chicago area, which is also where he and his wife Jody raised their two sons. Scott retired as a Firefighter/Paramedic after more than 26 years in the fire service and moved to Tucson.

Melissa Heerschlap
PATH Certified Instructor and Program Assistant

Email: mradtke@trotarizona.org
(520) 749-2360 Ext: 610

Melissa grew up just outside of Tucson and has always been avid animal lover. She balanced caring for family pets and participating in local 4-H projects with her job teaching piano lessons.

After graduating from the University of Arizona with a degree in music performance, Melissa began volunteering at TROT. She started as a horse handler and side-walker and soon added the roles of team captain and schooling rider. The environment at TROT with the lovely horses, passionate volunteers, enthusiastic participants and exceptional staff influenced her decision to pursue certification as a therapeutic riding instructor.

Melissa is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through PATH Intl and enjoys teaching classes at
TROT. Her experience as a piano instructor gave her teaching skills that she uses every day, whether she is instructing participants or training volunteers. Her love of teaching and passion for animals are combined in her work as a therapeutic riding instructor.

 

Mia Pettigrew
PATH Certified Instructor and Program Assistant

Mia grew up in Scottsdale, AZ where she was always surrounded by animals. She learned to ride horses at a young age before taking a break to play soccer in High School. After her break she was able to pick up riding again in college where she regained her passion for horses. Mia attended the University of Arizona to receive a Psychology Bachelor of Arts degree with a Business minor, graduating in early December 2024. She then earned her PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) certification in February 2025.

In 2023, Mia began volunteering at TROT, starting as a side walker and quickly moving to a horse handler position. Her passion for animals remains strong, leading to her first rescue puppy in college! She’s excited to combine her passion for animals with her desire to help others at TROT, where she’s found a supportive community she’s excited to be around each and every day.

Rachael Radtke
PATH Certified Instructor

Rachael grew up in the Tucson area and first discovered TROT while in high school. After taking a break to complete a degree in Piano Performance at the University of Arizona and to focus on her career as a piano teacher, she returned to TROT. Rachael began volunteering in August of 2020, allowing her to hone her skills as a horse handler. Then in June 2022, she was able to fulfill her dream of becoming a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through PATH Intl. In her spare time, Rachael enjoys a variety of activities including: gardening, spending time with family, and taking hunter/jumper lessons.

Mercedes Christy
PATH Certified Instructor

Coming Soon!

Tara Leingang
PATH Certified Instructor

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TROT continues to be a leader in innovative and therapeutic therapies by maintaining a distinguished title of a Premier Accredited Center by PATH, International.

What does this mean? It means:
– TROT is held to the highest standards. Every year, TROT reviews over 300 industry standards to verify we are exceeding all criteria needed to maintain our status. These standards include safety, equine management, mental health training, adaptability and inclusion for those living with disabilities, and that all programs are using current evidence-based models.

– The entire operation (programs, property and administration) undergoes a thorough audit every 5 years to ensure that all of the required standards are met.

– TROT’s instructors are professionally trained and certified through PATH, Intl and are required to complete continuing education hours annually on a variety of topics including but not limited to: disability and mental health education, equine welfare, and advanced horsemanship training.

TROT is proud to be the only premier accredited center providing life-changing services for children and adults with special needs in the Greater Tucson area.

Interested in joining our team? TROT offers a CTRI Mentorship Program and would love to talk to you! Email TROT’s Program Director Dora at dkafkaridou@trotarizona.org.