Meet the Staff

Linda Darnall
Linda and David founded Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch in 2006 as a way to help the youth of the community using horses. Linda grew up on ranches in Florida and has maintained her love of horses, understanding the healing power of equine therapy and therapeutic riding. Linda is EAGALA certified and working on her NARHA instructor certification.

David Darnall
After over 20 years in the corporate world, David and Linda Founded Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch. David is an executive and business consultant, seeing the significant needs of youth and families in our area and how horses can heal people, helping to get them back on track.

Carri Clement
 Carri has worked in the field of equestrian therapy for four years, having received her NARHA certification in 2006. Finishing her degree at U of H in Education, Carri will then go on to earn her ABA certification through Tech Texas University to furthur her work with autistic children. Carri is a mother of one, and her wonderful son is what led her to this chosen profession.She has a true love for what she does and enjoys working with the horses, these very special children and all of the parents involved.

Matteo Richie
Originally from California, Matteo attended Baylor University before moving to The Woodlands area. Matteo brings enthusiasm and a great attitude to developing our fund raising programs and raising community awareness of our programs.

Shirley Wheeler
 

A native Texan, Shirley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who serves with Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch in the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy program.  With more than 25 years of training and experience in the mental health field, she enjoys working with clients of all ages, providing services through individual, couple and group sessions. Four years ago she achieved EAGALA certification as a Level II Equine Assisted Psychotherapist (EAP). During EAP training, she and Linda met and soon began to work as a team. Shirley feels blessed to work with horses in this very powerful model, offering healing to those with emotional wounds.

Meet the Horses

Harley
An all around great Paint horse, Harley is great with kids and works without distraction in the therapy sessions. Harley is a great western horse, and even does English jumping.

Zorro
A former Thorobred race horse, Zorro was rescued from starvation and nursed back to health. Now Zorro has found new life as one of our best "therapy" horses, as he reacts to the emotions of the clients.

Bailey
An 11 year old Welsh Pony, Bailey is a favorite of the kids. She has a great disposition and loves to take photos with the kids. Bailey is excellent at the equine and therapeutic riding with the small kids.

Chocolatte
A 17 year old Warmblood cross, Chocolatte was our first "rescue" horse, found in a horse rescue in Alvin Tx. Chocolatte had been an accomplished jumper and dressage competitor who developed a joint problem and could no longer compete. While others gave up on him, Chocolatte has proven to be excellent with kids and has a personality much like a Golden Retriever. Currently he is recovering from a strained tendon, and hopes to be back at work by the end of the year.

Corsario
A 11 year old Warmblood that is 17 1/2 hands tall. While too much horse for the therapy program, his dispositon is great with kids and he enjoys grooming and bonding with them.

Meet our other therapists

Isaiah
A 5 year old Golden Retriever that never tires retrieving the ball. Isaiah tirelessly works with kids that adopt him for the day, since they often have never had a dog of their own. Isaiah suffers from "obsessive ball behavior".

Bruizer
The 1 year old son of Isaiah. Bruizer is learning the ropes from Isaiah, and loves kids and loves to retrieve.