Amy Gayhart
Executive Director
(469) 450-9594
[email protected]
Amy has a bachelor’s degree in art communications from Howard Payne University. Amy served as the marketing intern for Howard Payne for 3 years and found a love for telling stories through marketing and media. As a member of Delta Chi Rho sorority, she served as an officer for 3 years, including president her senior year. After college, Amy worked in advertising and administration. In 2003 Amy left the corporate world to stay home and care for her special needs daughter, Mabry. She continued to explore creative outlets by running her own painted mural and photography business.
Amy’s daughter Mabry had years of extensive therapy before finding her true love which was horses. That love brought them to Blue Sky where Amy started serving on the Board of Directors in 2012. Serving and volunteering at Blue Sky sparked a desire to do more for the special needs community. With the daunting realization that her daughter, Mabry, would soon age out of the public school system she was determined to create a program where special needs adults could be in community while living out their purpose. So, in addition to therapeutic horseback riding, Amy and her faithful volunteers at Blue Sky created the PURPOSE Program, which is a day program for special needs adults.
Amy is married to John, and they live in Prosper, Texas with their three children Mabry, Jack, and Slater.
Olivia DiStasio
Horse Program Director, Certified PATH Instructor
(469)-600-9839
[email protected]
Bachelor of Science in Child Development, PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor In-Training, Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist
Olivia began her journey at Blue Sky as an intern, finishing her Child Development degree at Texas Women’s University. After completing her Internship, Olivia knew that there was no place she’d rather be. Her passion for therapeutic riding continued to grow and she soon became certified as a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) Instructor. Also, her love for our Blue Sky horses motivated her to pursue her certification in Equine Sports Massage Therapy, so that she could learn how to give back to the horses in a meaningful way through the benefits of Equine Massage. Olivia now serves as our Horse Program Director.
Olivia pursues dressage and jumping training from. You will also see Olivia inside, supporting the PURPOSE program whenever she can.
Olivia lives in Aubrey with her dogs Moe, Lola, and Ruby.
Mia Hartzog, PURPOSE Program Director
[email protected]
Mia first joined Blue Sky as a practicum student in the PURPOSE and Horse Programs while completing her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Applied Psychology. That same year, she became certified by PATH International as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor, marking the beginning of her ongoing commitment to therapeutic and equine-assisted services!
Mia now serves as Blue Sky’s PURPOSE Program Director, bringing her expertise as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and a deep passion for inclusive programming. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), working toward certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
In addition to her work, Mia coaches both school and club volleyball.
When she’s not working, you’ll likely find Mia tending to her houseplants, gardening, swimming, or planning her next travel adventure.
Jenny Garcia
HOPE Program Director and PURPOSE Program Lead
469-233-0880
[email protected]
Jenny Garcia has been involved with Blue Sky since January of 2019. She first started volunteering and quickly became a pillar of our PURPOSE Program and now serves on the Board of Directors, as well as a PURPOSE Program Lead, and a HOPE Program Facilitator. Jenny holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and interdisciplinary studies from Dallas Baptist University. She taught special education in the public school system for 8 years, as well as 12 years in private education. Jenny recently received her certification in Equine Behavior and Management from the Animal Behavior Institute and is working towards her Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning through PATH International.
Jenny has held a position of prestige in her company for 6 consecutive years. She loves to travel, spend time with family, teach, learn, and any type of competition. Jenny and her partner, Coach, live in Aubrey with her 2 teen children Hudson and Sophie, 4 dogs and an ornery cat.
Laura Hall
Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected]
Laura Hall earned her nursing degree in 2016 and has worked in the emergency room as a Registered Nurse with emphasis on trauma nursing. In 2022 she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38. While taking some time off from nursing for treatment recovery she discovered her passion for volunteering and is now a program coordinator for Casting for Recovery and has been volunteering with Blue Sky since December 2023.
Laura lives in Collinsville with her husband and looks forward to visits from college of her adult children.
FUN FACT: When Laura was a kid she lived at the Blue Sky property with her parents and her sister who had Cerebral Palsy. She also loves chickens!
Beverly Aten
Facilities Manager and Fun Friday Coordinator
[email protected]
Beverly Aten was born and raised in Lamesa, Texas. She attended college at Levelland College and Texas Tech University.
In 1970 she moved to the North Texas area where she owned and operated several small businesses until 2003. In the spring of 2003, she began working in the Food and Nutrition Department at Denton Regional Medical Center, where she remained for 15 years. In 2010 she was named Employee of the Year.
Beverly has been involved with horses and western lifestyle her entire life. She began volunteering for Blue Sky Therapeutic Riding and Respite in 2010. She has been invaluable in the planning and development of the Purpose Project and all facilities at Blue Sky.
Beverly currently resides in Pilot Point, Texas.
Gloria Maillard,
Certified PATH Instructor
[email protected]
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Certified Instructor for Riding and Driving, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, M.S. BCBA.
Gloria is a PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 15 years of working with children, adolescents, and adults with ASD, communication disorders, and intellectual delays.
Gloria received a degree in Pack Station/Stable Operation Management and Horse Training from Feather River College and a bachelor’s in psychology from University of Nevada-Reno. She attended the University of North Texas and graduated with a Master of Science in Behavior Analysis in 2014.
Isla Paterson, PATH Certified Riding Instructor [email protected]
Isla is currently working towards a degree in Special Education at the elementary level from UNT. It has always been her life long goal to teach and better the lives of others.
Isla has been around horses since she was 6 and. Isla competes in Hunter/Jumper and also competes with the UNT equestrian team. Isla lives in Denton with her lizard Winnie.
Brook Wistl, PURPOSE Program Lead
[email protected]
Brooklynn began her journey at Blue Sky as a practicum student while completing her degree in Rehabilitation Studies and earning her certification in Trauma-Informed Care at the University of North Texas. She quickly developed a passion for working closely with clients and assisting with the care of horses, goats, and her personal favorites, the barn cats. Her involvement in the PURPOSE Program deepened her commitment to being an integral part of the clients’ daily lives, supporting them through their challenges and celebrating their victories. Thrilled to officially join the Blue Sky team, Brooklynn continues to grow both her experience and her connections with clients.
Outside of Blue Sky, Brooklynn loves spending quality time with her family and enjoys crocheting. She lives in Denton with her cat, Stella, and her hedgehog, Sheriff.