Susan Robinson was born and raised in Lexington, TN & found her way to Paducah 20 years ago. Susan and her husband of 23 years, Kenny, were relocated here for Kenny’s job with the river industry. Susan continued her career in beauty upon her move here and soon found herself at a new nail salon where she became fast friends with her coworker Dara Triplett. Once Dara introduced Susan to her daughter Cassidy, she soon learned of Cassidy’s love for horses and she would spend hours trying to teach Susan all about them. In 2013 she was introduced to the medical concept of hippo-therapy through her great niece’s (Hailey) diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome. She saw the positive benefits, first hand through Hailey, of what this type of exercise can accomplish and felt the need to get involved. Susan had no idea what she was getting herself into, because the only knowledge of horses she had was what Cassidy had shared with her years ago. In 2014 she messaged Angie and had her first day set to train as a side walker and it is all history from there. Susan loves her time at Cassidy’s Cause and even refers to the barn as her “happy place." When she is not at the barn you can find her spending time with her husband on the golf course, being a mom to her 3 loving dogs, crafting or even riding horses now. Susan is very involved throughout the community & is also a member of Lone Oak Baptist Church in Paducah, KY.
Angie Jackson - Executive Director/ Co-Founder / Board Member
Angie Jackson is a Paducah native, and a graduate of Paducah Community College with a Associates degree in Office Management.Working for 20+ years she has ran and operated numerous businesses.She served on the board of directors for Child Watch Counseling and Advocacy Center for 3 years and currently serves on the board of directors for the Community Foundation of West Kentucky.Her love of horses and people lead her down a path to help change the lives of individuals with special needs.In 2013, along with Mike Falconite and Dara Triplett, she helped start one of Western Kentucky’s largest equine-based riding programs.Angie belongs to St. Thomas More Catholic Church and enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and riding horses.
Carol Cain - Treasurer
Carol Cain is a native of Paducah, Ky. She was a graduate of Lone Oak High School and studied at David Lipscomb College. Carol worked at and retired from U.S.E.C. here in Western KY and is a member of the Lone Oak Church of Christ located in Paducah. Her hobbies include cooking and loving children and animals. Carol says “The happiest moments in my life are seeing the children at Cassidy’s Cause Therapeutic Riding Academy accomplish and reach goals they never dreamed of in so many different ways. It is such a blessing to be a part of this organization.”
Nicole Millraney - Board Member
Nicole Millraney loves Jesus, her family, and a great cup of coffee. If you are looking for her you can bet she is somewhere with children and she is probably singing (although not well). If she suddenly disappears without warning then you can find her at the barn, probably dirty, always smiling, and yes, she is singing to the horses as well! At the tender age of 17, she met her high school sweetheart Gary, and in December they will be approaching 30 years together. Nicole is a retired educator who spent her career investing in our greatest resource, children. The last 13 years were spent as an inclusion teacher in Alabama and Kentucky public schools. Daily she spent time with all types of exceptionalities from gifted and talented to some of the toughest behavioral challenges to ever throw a stapler at her head! She wrote and implemented curriculum to meet needs of the individual learner. She has held audiences with Governors, Superintendents, and Secretaries of Education. Nicole was brought to Cassidy's Cause one night by her daughter Lindsey who was looking to earn NHS hours for school. After sitting in that one meeting, she decided this was a program she too could hitch her wagon. Nicole has proudly held the title of “The preacher’s wife “ until her sweet Gary retired from ministry earlier this year. They remain faithful members of Heartland here in Paducah. Nicole has worked with every part of the program from feeding, training, side walking, horse leading, fund raising and soon she will begin facilitating a new part of our program.