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Bethany's Equine and Aquatic Therapy Services, Inc. (BEATS)
was established in 2003 to raise money and awareness
of hippotherapy and aquatic therapy. Specially trained and licensed
physical, occupational and speech therapists use the unique
properties of these two media to maximize treatment of children
with a variety of disabilities including developmental delay,
cerebral palsy, brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis,
spina bifida, coordination disorders, muscular dystrophy, Down
Syndrome, sensory disorders and many more.
BEATS is a recognized
501C3 non-profit company and has established a scholarship program
to assist families of special needs children to cover the costs
of equine and aquatic related activities. This includes barn/pool
fees, non-covered therapy fees, therapeutic riding lessons,
horse shows, and camps. All donations are tax deductible.
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BEATS, Inc Board of Directors:
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Bethany Nugent – Founder/President
Bethany Nugent, MSPT, HPCS, is a licensed physical therapist and founder of Bethany’s Equine
and Aquatic Therapy Services, Inc (BEATS). An equestrian and swimmer since childhood,
she found a natural fit in combining her love of these activities with her career as a therapist.
Bethany has been practicing hippotherapy and aquatic therapy since graduating from the Master’s
program at Ithaca College in New York in 1995. She has been working for Creative therapy, Inc in
Canton, GA since December, 2000. In August 2001 she earned the title of Hippotherapy Clinical
Specialist. Bethany is the founder of the Georgia Hippotherapy Club, an organization that promotes
education and networking among therapists practicing hippotherapy in Georgia. She is the Georgia
state liaison to the American Hippotherapy Association, a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor,
and a classifier for disabled riders. She is also an associate faculty member of the American
Hippotherapy Association. Bethany has continued to compete in jumpers, dressage and combined
training in recent years. She is married to Michael Butler and they have a daughter, Macayla, 3,
and a son, Ethan,1.
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Maria Coley – Secretary
Maria Coley began her riding career at the age of eleven in her home state of Rhode Island.
She trained with a well know hunter and equitation trainer and competed successfully in local
shows, qualifying for both the Rhode Island Mini Medal and New England Equitation Medal.
Sharing her experience and knowledge, Maria has taught riding to children and adults of all levels.
She started volunteering for hippotherapy and therapeutic riding and joined BEATS in 2003.
Maria developed a passion for working with children and adults with special needs and teaching
them the joys of riding. She joined the BEATS’ Board of Directors as Secretary and earned her
credentials as a Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor with NARHA. Maria works as a contract
administrator for an environmental engineering company. She lives in Canton with her husband Mark
and daughter Presley.
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Michael Butler – Treasurer
Michael Butler – Treasurer – Mike is a graphic designer who got involved with
hippotherapy while volunteering as a sidewalker for his niece who has cerebral palsy.
Mike works for DeNyse Signs in Douglasville where he manages the design department.
He has worn many hats for BEATS helping as a leader/sidewalker, developing all promotional
material, and taking orders from Bethany. In his free time he has done several shows for
the Towne Lake Arts Center. He is proud father to Macayla and Ethan.
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