Amy Alliston, RN

Amy Alliston has been an equestrian for over 30 years and has competed all over the US from AZ to GA to MD, NV and VA. She graduated Westmoreland Davis Equestrian Institute where she studied extensively with Tad Coffin, 1976 gold medalist USE and has studied with several grand prix dressage riders and competed at third level in many states.  

Amy is a horse lover and loves all animals but also has a lot of compassion towards people.  As an RN with a B.S. from UVA in nursing, she has studied for 20 years about the positive medical and emotional effects that animals have on humans.  She was the first person to bring a dog (an old Beagle named Otis) into the UVA pediatric ward as a nursing student.  Much later in 2000 she founded a pet therapy organization, a Delta Society affiliate in Virginia.  

She is now pursuing her interests in the human-animal relationship to work specifically with Therapeutic Riding and has become a NARHA certified instructor.  Amy remains an enthusiastic equestrian and works diligently with the Parelli Horsmanship methods as she believes this is the perfect match for a NARHA program.

Holly Brown

Holly is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and the Medical College of Georgia, with degrees in Biology and Occupational Therapy.  She has worked in a variety of rehabilitative settings including mental health, physical rehab and is currently an OT practitioner in Home Health.  She and her dog Stewart are registered Delta Society Pet Partners.  As a former equestrian, she has fostered the same interest in her daughter Kimberly, who now also competes competitively.

Holly’s involvement with Heartland Horse Heroes is a continuation of her many years with Healing Paws and Claws.

Susan Lynch

Dr. Lynch is currently Associate Professor at Longwood University, in the d\Department of Health, Recreation and Kinesiology.  She received her B.S. from Lubbock Christian College, studying Secondary Education and Biology/Physical Education; studied Sports Health at Texas Tech University, receiving her M.S.; and received her Ph.D. in Therapeutic Recreation, from Texas Woman’s University.

Dr. Lynch is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, has served on numerous committees and boards on the state and national level and has received many awards and honors for her work.  For over 15 years she has presented at many conferences and workshop sessions in Virginia and surrounding states.  One of Dr. Lynch’s passions is her service to persons with arthritis, as she regularly instructs an Arthritis Aquatics class in Farmville, Virginia.  She is also a consultant to the Arthritis Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, Department of Social Services, Piedmont Regional Disability Services Board.

Peggy Tarpley

Peggy Tarpley is an Associate Professor of Special Education who is in her thirteenth year at Longwood University.  Currently, she is the Chair of the Department of Education & Special Education in the College of Education and Human Services.  She earned an undergraduate degree from University of Michigan and a Master’s and PhD from the University of Virginia.  

Dr. Tarpley was a general educator as well as a special educator in the public schools for 15 years prior to coming to Longwood University.  Her areas of academic interest include “Best Practices” in teaching students with learning needs, (especially in the area of reading), assessment and progress monitoring, and behavior management. 

Her interest in horses comes from an admiration of their beauty and strength as well as an appreciation for their athleticism which comes from her late husband who was an avid thoroughbred racing fan.

Jo Ann Torrence

Jo Ann was born in Baltimore and spent her childhood and adolescence there.  Since then she has lived in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Massachusetts.  After thirty years of teaching, she retired to a farm in Meherrin, Virginia in 1998 with her husband, David, and son, Matthew, where they enjoy the country life raising purebred registered Nubian goats, gardening and raising hay.

Jo Ann graduated from Towson State University with a B. S. in Education followed by a Masters from Penn State University.

Since moving to Southside Virginia, Jo Ann is kept busy teaching part-time at Southside Virginia Community College, serving on the Piedmont Regional Disability Services Board, and assisting her son in his various interests.

Terri Atkins Wilson

Terri Atkins Wilson was born and raised in Farmville, Virginia, the daughter of Landon G. and Adeline S. Atkins.  After graduating in 1978 from Prince Edward Academy, Terri entered the University of Richmond, where she graduated magna cum laude from the E. Claiborne Robins School of Business, with a concentration in accounting in 1982 and from the T.C. Williams School of Law in 1985. Terri successfully passed the Certified Public Accountant’s Exam as well as the Virginia State Bar Exam and worked for a regional accounting firm, McGladrey & Pullen, where she focused on trust and estate tax related work.  In 1988, she returned home to Farmville and joined her father, Landon G. Atkins, with his real estate firm which was established in 1946, Landon G. Atkins, Inc. Real Estate.  Mrs. Wilson received her Graduate of Realtors Institute recognition and became an associate broker in 1996.  In 1999, after the death of her father, Terri became President of Landon G. Atkins, Inc. Real Estate and Principal Broker for the firm in 2001.  In 2007, after 20 years in the real estate industry, Terri reactivated her law license and joined the Richmond firm of Blanton Kirk Lumpkins in November of 2007.  The firm changed its name in early 2009 to Legacy Law Group, PLC and is opening a branch office here in Farmville for Terri to operate and manage.  The firm specializes in trusts, estates, estate administration, business planning, real estate and any litigation in these areas.

Terri has been an active part of the Farmville community since her return in 1988.  She has been on the founding boards of both the Southside Family YMCA as well as the Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity.  Terri served as the first female president of the Farmville Jaycees in 1995-1996.  Terri is a member of Farmville Baptist Church and is an active participant as a lay worship assistant and Sunday school teacher at the Farmville United Methodist Church.  Terri has been active with the Pegasus 4-H Horse and Pony Club since 1999.

Terri is married to G. Nelson Wilson, IV, the owner and operator of Buffalo Shook Company, Inc.  They reside on a farm in Cumberland County, where they have 2 ponies, a horse, 4 cows, 6 chickens, 1 rooster, one dog and numerous cats!! Their family also includes 2 daughters and 2 sons, ranging in age from 8 years to 16 years.

Terri and Nelson have a child with Aspberger’s Syndrome, a type of autism, and have 2 children who actively ride horses, so she is eager to see the formation and the growth of Heartland Horse Heroes and believes strongly in the benefit which they provide Southside Virginia.