DLR Starlight Farm, LLC
Reach for the Stars
Meet The Staff
Rie Longo, LPN, CTRI
Rie is the founder of Starlight Farms. A nurse by profession, when a physical therapist suggested that she open a therapeutic horseback riding facility at her farm, Rie knew that she had just found the perfect way to blend her love of horses and helping people. She attended Centenary College where she pursued Equine Studies and Therapeutic Horseback Riding. She has worked in every capacity at the farm and continues to do so. In her spare time, Rie likes to travel the country barrel racing with her daughter. If asked what her favorite thing about the farm is, she'll say it's the children and families who visit each week. It is Rie's ongoing goal that every child who rides at Starlight Farms has the opportunity to "Reach for the Stars!"
Holly Hoogmoed, CTRI
Holly first heard about Starlight Farms and its need for volunteers in 2001 from an article in a local homeschooling newsletter. She started volunteering a few hours a week, and a year later she was at the farm every day, most of the day, cleaning stalls and tacking horses for sessions. In 2004, Holly attended Centenary College and completed the coursework necessary to gain her certification as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor. In January of '06, Holly accepted the position of Volunteer Coordinator and in June 2008, Holly relinquished her position to Kathy Viken.
Renee Bond, CTRI
Renee enjoys working with our school programs as head riding instructor. She teaches the kids riding skills as well as how to care for and communicate with their horses. Renee is also responsible for exercising and training our therapy horses to make sure that they all stay in good shape for our special riders.
Kathy Viken, CTRI,
Kathy is a wife and mother of three boys - Jason 26, Eric 23 and Matthew 14. Her passion for therapeutic riding began in 1999 when she volunteered for the first time at Starlight Farm. After moving to California in 2000, Kathy volunteered at Helen Woodward Animal Center's Therapeutic Riding Center. In 2004, she became a NARHA certified instructor. Kathy was the Program Manager for Winners Circle Equestrian Therapy and later the Executive Director. From '05 - '07, she was the NARHA Southern California State Chair; and in 2008, Kathy was part of a team to develop a pilot program for wounded active service members. It is with great dedication and enthusiasm that Kathy continues her work in therapeutic horseback riding at Starlight Farm.
Rieanne Longo, CTRI
Rieanne resides at the Farm were she has ridden horses most of her life. She is a member of the Pro-rodeo circut were she is on the road most weekends barrel racing all over the country. Rieanne is a Certified Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instructor and also does typical riding lessons. She instructs the therapeutic riding students when they are ready to transition to the advanced riding arena which she calls "Mane Stream". Rieanne is a student at CCM were she is pursuing her criminal justice degree. Rieanne is also the owner of our sweet golden retriever "Gracie Mae" who enjoys all the families at the farm!
Crystal Oakly, Instructor- In- Training
Crystal became a Starlight Staff member in the summer of 2007 after volunteering at the farm for 4 years. Crystal is attending Centenary College were she is pursuing Equine Studies and her Certification in Therapeutic Horseback Riding.
Laura Mazzola, Instructor- In- Training
Laura first joined the farm in March 2007 as a volunteer. A year and a half later in September 2008, Laura became a member of the Starlight Staff. Laura is the proud owner of "Ben", who she kindly allows the farm to use. She has 6 years horseback riding experience and after high school she plans on going to college to study therapeutic riding.
Linda Palatucci, RN
Linda is a Registered Nurse. She has 3 children and a grandchild. Linda loves all of the animals at the farm, and she can often be seen smooching the horses or cuddling the bunny! Linda got hooked on Starlight Farms about 4 years ago. She volunteered once a week for a couple of hours, and, little by little, became a crucial member of the team at the farm. Linda is still a volunteer -- she gives full-time hours to the farm making sure that the animals are well-cared for and ready for their work with the kids. Linda loves to witness the wonderful benefits that the animals (big and small) offer to the kids -- that, and her love for the animals is what keeps her coming back everyday!
Vikki Babcock
Vikki is a loving wife and mother of 4 children. She started volunteering in the spring of 2009 and by the fall session Vikki had become part of the Starlight Staff.
Nicole Bergan
Nicole started as a volunteer several years ago and in the fall of 2009 she became part of the staff. Nicole is currently in her second year at Kean University with a major in special education.
Samantha Susen
Sam started volunteering at the farm in the Summer of 2003. In the summer of 2007 she accepted an offer to become part of the staff. Part of Sam's duties include running the arts and crafts portion of our summer programs. She is currently attending County College of Morris with a major in Visual Arts.
Rie Longo, LPN, CTRI Rie is the founder of Starlight Farms. A nurse by profession, when a physical therapist suggested that she open a therapeutic horseback riding facility at her farm, Rie knew that she had just found the perfect way to blend her love of horses and helping people. She attended Centenary College where she pursued Equine Studies and Therapeutic Horseback Riding. She has worked in every capacity at the farm and continues to do so. In her spare time, Rie likes to travel the country barrel racing with her daughter. If asked what her favorite thing about the farm is, she'll say it's the children and families who visit each week. It is Rie's ongoing goal that every child who rides at Starlight Farms has the opportunity to "Reach for the Stars!"
Holly Hoogmoed, CTRI Holly first heard about Starlight Farms and its need for volunteers in 2001 from an article in a local homeschooling newsletter. She started volunteering a few hours a week, and a year later she was at the farm every day, most of the day, cleaning stalls and tacking horses for sessions. In 2004, Holly attended Centenary College and completed the coursework necessary to gain her certification as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor. In January of '06, Holly accepted the position of Volunteer Coordinator and in June 2008, Holly relinquished her position to Kathy Viken.
Renee Bond, CTRIRenee enjoys working with our school programs as head riding instructor. She teaches the kids riding skills as well as how to care for and communicate with their horses. Renee is also responsible for exercising and training our therapy horses to make sure that they all stay in good shape for our special riders.
Kathy Viken, CTRI, Kathy is a wife and mother of three boys - Jason 26, Eric 23 and Matthew 14. Her passion for therapeutic riding began in 1999 when she volunteered for the first time at Starlight Farm. After moving to California in 2000, Kathy volunteered at Helen Woodward Animal Center's Therapeutic Riding Center. In 2004, she became a NARHA certified instructor. Kathy was the Program Manager for Winners Circle Equestrian Therapy and later the Executive Director. From '05 - '07, she was the NARHA Southern California State Chair; and in 2008, Kathy was part of a team to develop a pilot program for wounded active service members. It is with great dedication and enthusiasm that Kathy continues her work in therapeutic horseback riding at Starlight Farm.
Rieanne Longo, CTRIRieanne resides at the Farm were she has ridden horses most of her life. She is a member of the Pro-rodeo circut were she is on the road most weekends barrel racing all over the country. Rieanne is a Certified Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instructor and also does typical riding lessons. She instructs the therapeutic riding students when they are ready to transition to the advanced riding arena which she calls "Mane Stream". Rieanne is a student at CCM were she is pursuing her criminal justice degree. Rieanne is also the owner of our sweet golden retriever "Gracie Mae" who enjoys all the families at the farm!
Crystal Oakly, Instructor- In- Training Crystal became a Starlight Staff member in the summer of 2007 after volunteering at the farm for 4 years. Crystal is attending Centenary College were she is pursuing Equine Studies and her Certification in Therapeutic Horseback Riding.
Laura Mazzola, Instructor- In- Training Laura first joined the farm in March 2007 as a volunteer. A year and a half later in September 2008, Laura became a member of the Starlight Staff. Laura is the proud owner of "Ben", who she kindly allows the farm to use. She has 6 years horseback riding experience and after high school she plans on going to college to study therapeutic riding.
Linda Palatucci, RN Linda is a Registered Nurse. She has 3 children and a grandchild. Linda loves all of the animals at the farm, and she can often be seen smooching the horses or cuddling the bunny! Linda got hooked on Starlight Farms about 4 years ago. She volunteered once a week for a couple of hours, and, little by little, became a crucial member of the team at the farm. Linda is still a volunteer -- she gives full-time hours to the farm making sure that the animals are well-cared for and ready for their work with the kids. Linda loves to witness the wonderful benefits that the animals (big and small) offer to the kids -- that, and her love for the animals is what keeps her coming back everyday!
Vikki Babcock Vikki is a loving wife and mother of 4 children. She started volunteering in the spring of 2009 and by the fall session Vikki had become part of the Starlight Staff.
Nicole BerganNicole started as a volunteer several years ago and in the fall of 2009 she became part of the staff. Nicole is currently in her second year at Kean University with a major in special education.
Samantha Susen Sam started volunteering at the farm in the Summer of 2003. In the summer of 2007 she accepted an offer to become part of the staff. Part of Sam's duties include running the arts and crafts portion of our summer programs. She is currently attending County College of Morris with a major in Visual Arts.
