Sheri Marino, MA, CCC-SLP

Founder/Owner

Sheri received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Rutgers University and attained her Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Montclair University.

Sheri’s clinical experiences include the University Hospital at UMDNJ in Newark, NJ, where she provided evaluation and treatment services in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Sheri was trained in Applied Behavior Analysis at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center, New Brunswick, NJ, where she treated children on the autism spectrum.  For 10 years, she coordinated home programs in New York, New Jersey, and London, England.  As a member of the trans-disciplinary team, Sheri conducted evaluations and treatment services for the birth-three year old population at the Milestones Child Development Center, Jersey City, NJ.  As part of the Expansion Team, she provided homebound services to medically fragile infants affected by pre-natal drug exposure.

Sheri is the founder of Rocking Horse Rehab, a pediatric rehabilitation and family wellness center specializing in equine assisted therapies, located at the Essex Equestrian Center in West Orange, NJ.  Rocking Horse Rehab treats children with various disabilities, including cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, brain tumors, autism, rare syndromes, neuromuscular, and psychiatric disorders.  Rocking Horse Rehab was selected as “NJ’s Favorite Kids’ Docs” in NJ Family Magazine in 2009 and 2011 and as Hospital Newspaper’s Pediatric Rehab and Family Wellness Center of the Month in 2009, 2010, and 2013.  A pediatric speech pathologist, Sheri has been voted as “NJ’s Favorite Kids’ Docs” in 2012, 2015, and 2016.

As the Executive Director of The Autism Think Tank, NJ (a 501(c)(3)), Sheri coordinates medical videoconferences with a  team of distinguished physicians who collaborate on medically complex cases of autism around the globe.  Sheri is solely responsible for all the fundraising, community outreach, continuing education, marketing, and public speaking engagements.

Sheri is the Pediatric Health Advisor for the Focus for Health Foundation (FFH).  As a consultant to FFH, she contributes her clinical expertise to help guide the Foundation’s mission addressing chronic health issues related to environmental causes.

Sheri serves on the advisory board for Autism Family Services, NJ with other leaders in the field of autism.  She is an international speaker on autism and has presented for Haven International in Ghana, Africa, Autism One in Chicago, Princeton University, Tour College/NYC, Seton Hall University, NJ Speech and Hearing Association, and PATh International.  She has been a guest on the “Autism with Dr. Andy” radio show out of Manhattan Beach, CA and has been interviewed and filmed by DBS News, NBC News, NJN, and multiple cable networks.


Lola Fennimore

Adaptive Riding Instructor

Lola Fennimore has been in the horse community since childhood and has worked in the realm of therapeutic horsemanship since adolescence. Lola is the former Managing Director of Rocking Horse Rehab and is enjoying the journey of motherhood. She teaches part time Adaptive Riding which supports clients of all ages and abilities with motor skills, practice of coordination, balance, muscle tone, focus and attention, and cognitive Executive Functions. She is most passionate about teaching “Life skills” such as leadership, empathy, communication, teamwork, self-esteem and confidence, follow through, advocating for self and developing assertiveness, and organization of self for optimal health and opportunities.

Lola also teaches Recreational Riding with a Certification in Centered Riding, is PATH International certified and serves as a PATH Mentor, safety practices of Horsemanship Association certificated, certified with Chris Irwin Insights horse training, and CPR trained. Lola enjoys training her horse Jasmine under saddle and trail riding at the Stables at Lord Stirling Park.


Susan Romano-Silva

Occupational Therapist

Susan Romano-Silva, Occupational therapist with over 25 years experience working in pediatrics in a variety of settings including acute care, rehabilitation, out-patient, schools, early intervention and private practice settings. Susan has treated Rocking Horse Rehab clients one and off for the last ten years and currently treats school groups.
 
Susan demonstrates sound knowledge of principle, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of physical and developmental disabilities complemented by additional experience in management, educating staff members, students, patients and their families. Susan Silva has her Masters of Science from Columbia University, Board certified in Pediatrics, AHA Level 1 Therapist, and trained in various neurodevelopmental and sensory programs for the pediatric population. Currently, provides OT services at NYU Langone Medical Center as senior clinician in pediatrics. In her spare time she enjoys time with her husband and three children, outdoor sports/activities and her dog.
 

Lori Fortunato, LSW EFP 

SLSW Mental Health Therapist

Lori received a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from Penn State University and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University.

Lori has 20 years of experience working in mental health treating adults and children. She has experience treating clients with a range of conditions, including, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse and complex trauma. She also has experience working in a school setting, during which time, she worked under the tutelage of Dr. Jed Baker teaching social skills to children on the autism spectrum.

Lori has been drawn to horses her entire life and has been riding since the age of seven. She received her horse education in Pony Club and through the countless hours spent in the barn, working with horses, and through knowledge imparted by generous trainers. Her ambition has always been to combine her passion for horses with her career. Lori fully understands the healing power of horses and enjoys facilitating emotional and psychological well being for others with these 4-legged co-therapists.

Lori loves spending time with her family, teaching group fitness and yoga and riding and competing her horse Benji. Benji is a 15 year old Swedish Warmblood who loves attention and horse treats!


Megan Horn, PT, DPT, CSRS  

Megan received her doctorate of physical therapy degree at New York Institute of Technology. She has over 10 years experience in physical therapy with a concentration in brain injuries, neurological, and orthopedic conditions. She has experience with a wide range of diagnoses and age groups with certifications in adaptive technologies. Megan believes physical therapy should include personal and clinical goals to formulate a plan of care and treatment program. Therapy should target functional goals as well as be fun!

Megan grew up riding horses at her grandmother’s house and enjoyed spending many summers at the stables. When Megan isn’t in the clinic, she’s spending time with her husband, two daughters, and dogs. She also loves her Pilates classes and baking!


Jackie Toth, LSW  

LSW Mental Health Therapist

Jackie received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from Stockton University.

Jackie has experience working with and treating a variety of populations and clinical diagnosis. Her background includes working with adults, children, and adolescents in inpatient psychiatric, crisis residential group home, school, and outpatient settings, allowing her to provide individual, group, and family interventions. Jackie has assisted clients work through difficulties associated with depression, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, ADHD, suicidal ideation, schizophrenia, and more. Jackie incorporates components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy and other mindfulness and strengths-based approaches. She feels therapy is individualized and believes it is important to be creative and tailor treatment strategies to the needs of the client in order to provide a comfortable and effective therapeutic environment.

Jackie’s love of horses sparked at a young age when she began taking riding lessons and volunteering at a therapeutic riding academy near her home. She still goes to visit those wonderful horses and trainers that shaped her into the equestrian and therapist she is today. Jackie has worked with horses in multiple capacities including 4H, teaching therapeutic and recreational riding and has even coached a small Special Olympics team. Jackie has always envisioned combining her passions of horses and mental health and truly enjoys witnessing the connections built between horse and human and the benefits this has on an individual’s mental health.


Jill Langell, OT 

Jill Langell is an occupational therapist with over twenty five years of experience in rehabilitation, working with a multitude of varying populations and facility settings.

Jill has additional specialties and certifications in home modifications, aging/living in place, and is also a certified lymphedema therapist.

Since starting at RHR, Jill has completed AHA level one therapist training and is looking forward to continuing additional AHA level two education in the spring of 2024. Currently, Jill is providing OT services to an acute care/ICU population at the Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, New Jersey.

During non-working hours, Jill enjoys being with her family, spending time outdoors, hiking, and exercise. Her busy homestead includes daughters, dogs, cats, fish, and chickens.


Rebecca Coakley

Adaptive Riding Instructor
 
Rebecca is a PATH International certified adaptive riding instructor and has been involved with Rocking Horse Rehab since 2012. A life-long horsewoman, she began riding at age nine and quickly came to realize the natural calming feeling horses provided. As a teenager, she began volunteering at Rocking Horse Rehab while beginning her riding instruction education by teaching at several riding summer camps and furthering her own horsemanship skills by training under a variety of knowledgeable instructors.

 

 

While volunteering at Rocking Horse, Rebecca shadowed the adaptive riding instructors, furthering her knowledge of the healing abilities horses offered and how that can be applied to fit each rider. Following several promotions at the facility, she obtained her adaptive riding certification.

Today, Rebecca is working towards her master’s degree in social work at Ramapo College of New Jersey while teaching at Rocking Horse Rehab. She focuses on helping her riders form a strong bond and trust with their equine partners as she believes that is the foundation for smooth progression of both personal development and riding skills.

When she is not working, Rebecca can be found in class, cuddling her dogs on the couch, or having a ride on one of Rocking Horse Rehab’s equine staff!


Marlena Hurlbut

Content Creator