HETRA

Edye Godden serves as the Chief Executive Officer at HETRA. She has been with the organization for 35+ years in various capacities.  Along with being the CEO of the organization, she is also an Occupational Therapist, Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning as well as a Clinical Specialist in Hippotherapy. These other “hats” help keep her well connected to the programming offered at HETRA and give her first-hand experience of the impact HETRA has on the participants we serve.  With 30 years of experience in the field of Equine Assisted Services and specifically with HETRA, Edye has assisted in HETRAs growth from a small all-volunteer organization running out of other boarding facilities to where we are today – owning our own facility with a full-time staff of 21. HETRA’s programming includes adapted riding, therapy services, equine services for veterans, life skills, equine-assisted learning, equine-facilitated psychotherapy, corporate retreats, HETRA University (the educational arm including Not Just a Pony Ride, Podcasts, and webinars offered to the greater EAS community) as well as EAS consulting services. 

Edye earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University in 1991.  In 2007 she was awarded the PATH, Intl. Region 7 Instructor of the Year Award.  In 2013 Edye received the “Caring for Others” award from Woodmen of the World.   Edye has presented numerous times at the PATH, Intl. Region 7 Conference, as well as been a presenter or co-presenter on many of HETRA’s webinars.  

“I have so many favorite memories of the people and horses I have been blessed to work with over the past 30 years.  One of these memories is of a wonderful horse named Odie.  Odie taught so many people how to ride and be successful in the saddle – I can’t even tell you the number of people he helped over his years of service.  He was a kind soul and a gentle giant but my best memory of him which occurred after almost every single ride was when the student had dismounted Odie would bend his neck all the way around the side to get a look at who had just gotten off.  It was almost as if he was saying – Hey good job up there today to each and every rider.  He was truly a once in a lifetime type of horse that I will never forget!” 

“The students, staff, volunteers and horses at HETRA are all truly amazing and I am so fortunate to be able to be able to combine my two great passions in life helping others and horses into a career that makes a difference in so many people’s lives.   I can’t imagine doing anything else.  I have been so blessed to be on this journey with all of the amazing people and horses that make up HETRA!  The first 30 years have been such an adventure – I can’t wait to see what the next 30 years bring…..”