ABOUT
OUR STORY
Bridges at Worthmore is committed to setting the standard of professional excellence for how horses and other therapies enrich, empower, and improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. Most people know the term “therapeutic riding” but there’s so much more! Equine assisted activities and adaptive riding encompass the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of a person.
Bridges staff are certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (Path Intl) and the internationally recognized Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). The Bridges team works with people in creative horse-centered activities designed to address specific goals. The team is equipped to treat most behavioral and health issues; with a particular focus on anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders and addiction. We provide individuals, couples and families with opportunities to improve communication and relationship dynamics and we offer leadership development and team building programs for groups and corporations of all sizes. We are particularly proud to be a provider of treatment to military veterans and their families.
MEET THE TEAM
FOUNDERS AND WORTHMORE EQUESTRIAN CENTER OWNERS
Pam Kuster
Pam brings deep experience in the horse industry and a strong passion for disability advocacy. As a PATH Certified Instructor, EAGALA Equine Specialist, and Area Director for Special Olympics, she blends her love for horses and commitment to inclusion by leading equine-assisted programs at a thriving 40-horse facility.
Pam has worked in the horse industry for over forty years. She is a Certified Instructor with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International and a Certified Equine Specialist with Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. She has been involved in almost every aspect of the industry including showing, training, and riding instruction. She showed Arabians and coached professionally, taking numerous horses and students to championships. Some of these honors included NJ High Point, NJ Bred, Region 15 and East Coast Championships in a variety of divisions including halter and performance. In 1992 she had a major life change when her son, Scott, was diagnosed with autism and Pam became extremely active in disability advocacy. Along with her involvement on state and national councils and committees, she provided testimony on legislation for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Family Support Act of New Jersey , and the reauthorization of IDEA. Following her passion, she took a position at the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) and became the Executive Co-Director. Pam is now able to combine her two great passions by providing equine assisted therapies activities while managing a full-service, high-quality equestrian center that houses over forty horses.
Eric Kuster
Eric keeps Worthmore safe and running smoothly, drawing on his farm roots and role as Sr. VP of Safety at the Propane Education and Research Council. His hands-on care ensures a secure space for both horses and people.
Eric is seen daily, when not traveling, keeping the Worthmore property, grounds and facilities in peak operating performance. Whether a broken fence, mowing or rewiring the lights in the barn, Eric keeps the property operating safely for both humans and horses. Eric spends the bulk of his time working as the Sr. Vice President for Safety, Education and Compliance for the Propane Education and Research Council, Eric carries the responsibilities around safety in commercial settings to the benefit of the farm. Eric was raised on a dairy and grain farm in New Jersey and attended Delaware Valley University for Animal Science.
Genna Kuster
Genna is the heart of the barn, bringing over 20 years of experience and deep care to both horses and riders. Her calm, family-centered approach creates a safe space for learning, growth, and connection.
Instrumental to the care of the two and four-legged critters at Worthmore, the barn would not operate in an environment of kindness and compassion without Genna. With twenty years of experience in riding instruction, Genna has worked with horse enthusiasts of all ages - with a focus in youth development. Rooted in family, her support and care for the children at Worthmore cultivates a safe environment for developing skills, confidence, and connection. Passionate about the well-being of the horses, Genna is a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, and is currently studying kinesiology taping and myofascial release.
Scottie Kuster
Scottie is a vital part of the Bridges team at Worthmore, known for his dedication, humor, and love of singing. His energy lights up the barn every day.
Scottie has been a central part of the work undertaken by Bridges at Worthmore. Scott has autism and serves as a core member of the staff at WEC. Scott participates in Special Olympics in kayaking, swimming, weightlifting and has won boatloads of medals and accommodations. He is a highly competitive and sensitive man and critical to the operations and daily spirit within the barn. You can hear Scott’s singing at various times of the day in the barn which range from holiday carols, phantom of the opera, and “A wonderful day for Pie.” If you visit Scottie at home, he is a wild animatronics fan, think Freddie Kruger.
THERAPISTS
Barbie Glenn
EAGALA Mental Health Therapist
Barbie has over twenty five years of experience working in the behavioral health field and is a Certified Mental Health Therapist with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EGALA). She works with adults and children with chronic mental illness, trauma, abuse, and addiction. Barbie holds a Maryland State license as a Clinical Professional Counselor, Clinical Alcohol and Drug Approved Supervisor, has attained certification as a National Certified Counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., a certificate in Advanced Trauma Treatment, and is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner through United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. Barbie graduated from Wilmington University with a Master of Science in Community Counseling, holds a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wesley College. In addition to her work with Bridges at Worthmore since 2014, which included serving as Program Director until 2024, she is a Psychotherapist at Chesapeake Bay Psychological Services in Stevensville, Maryland.
Marco Belperio
PATH Certified Instructor
Marco Belperio has been working in the equine therapy field for over thirty years. He is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and an Equine Specialist of Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International and a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner with the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. Born in Novara, Italy, Marco studied Animal Science at the State University in Milan, co-created the Eques Cooperative Society S.r.L. in Tuscany, completed courses for Vaulting Trainers, and worked for the World Wildlife Fund coordinating national park camp programs for children and adults. Marco is also the head instructor for Kent Association of Riding Therapy (KART) and is employed by Wraparound Maryland as a PRP Supervisor. Marco has been working for Bridges for over twenty years.
Robin Dunning
EAGALA Equine Specialist, The Horse Inspired Growth and Learning Center Inc. Co-Founder, President
Robin has been working with horses for the past 40 years training, instructing, breeding and competing on a local and national level. In addition, she owned and operated her horse farm for 22 years. The importance of selecting horses for this program requires someone that, not only has an in depth understanding of horses but can also observe them in their natural environment which is crucial to the process of selecting horses that are appropriate for the program. During sessions it is her job to observe the horses and how they interact with the clients, watching for patterns to emerge. Because the horses will respond in often subtle ways it is her responsibility to identify questions that will aid the client in discovery. Robin has also worked in the mental health field as a mental health worker at Sheppard Pratt Hospital. Robin also served on the EAGALA Ethics Committee.
Dr. Ben Kohl
EAGALA Equine Specialist, Bridges at Worthmore, Past- President
Previously the Bridges at Worthmore President, Dr. Ben Kohl is a social work leader, educator, and clinician whose career has focused on behavioral health services to children, youth and families. Most recently he was Director of Programs and Training for Eastern Shore Psychological Services (ESPS). Prior to that he was Director of Multicultural Practice and Research for the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services: one of our county’s largest social service agencies. Dr. Kohl has been an adjunct faculty member at New York University and Salisbury University Schools of Social Work, and adjunct faculty at Washington College, in Chestertown Maryland. Dr. Kohl’s academic foundation includes a Doctorate of Philosophy from New York University, a Master of Social Work from Hunter College, a Master of Arts from The New School, and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington College.
WHY WE WORK WITH HORSES
Our experienced ponies and horses have provided thousands of therapeutic instructional hours. The ponies and horses utilized by Bridges can accommodate both children and adult participants and allow the instructors to partner the participant with the pony or horse that best meets individual program needs.
There are several reasons we choose to use horses in this work, but primarily it is due to their nature as a social and prey animal. As a result of this nature, they have an extraordinary ability to read our nonverbal communication – picking up on messages we are sending which we are not always conscious we are doing. With this, they start responding to us in familiar ways reminding us of other people and things in our life. It is through this that they become metaphors (symbols) providing us the opportunity to work on ourselves in relation to those aspects of our lives. The horses tend to play out our life stories and then may either show us or provide opportunities to change what those stories look like.
Horses do not know our past, education, gender, race or other labels we may apply to ourselves and each other. They are in the moment and can be a part of this relationship without the biases we humans put on each other. This provides even more value in the insight they can provide us about ourselves.
Our Therapy Horses
At Bridges at Worthmore, our therapy horses are more than partners - they are healers. With calm strength and intuitive gentleness, they help children and adults build trust, confidence, and emotional connection. Each horse plays a vital role in our equine-assisted therapy programs, touching lives and guiding powerful journeys of healing and growth.
