Owner

Heather Griego, an independent contractor is a Certified Recreational Therapist Specialist and has a Bachelor’s  of Science degree in Recreational Therapy. Over the years, she has served a multitude of populations including behavioral health, mental health, physical disabilities, and intellectual disabilities among all age groups.  Heather works as a team with a fully trained and certified Facility Dog named "Whim" through Canine Companions for Independence, offering  Animal-Assisted Therapy. Heather’s greatest joy in providing Animal-Assisted Therapy and Recreational Therapy is to aid in the  enrichment of individuals by helping them become the best version of  themselves, improve their overall well-being, and develop a richer quality of life.

Kyra Dixon, an independent contractor  graduated from Sacramento State in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration. She became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist shortly after. While in school, Kyra spent several years working and volunteering with organizations to develop and facilitate recreational programming for youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and ADD/ADHD. Most of her current work is focused in the non-profit sector where she is responsible for developing and managing programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, teaching life and leisure skills with a focus on community integration. Kyra has a passion for using Therapeutic Recreation to teach individuals how to lead a more independent life and successfully integrate into their community.

Lindsey Hinegardner, an independent contractor is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with a Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation Therapy. Lindsey has experience in special populations including geriatric, special need, and the incarcerated. She works as a recreation therapist for the California Department of Corrections. She has experience as a para professional working with children with intellectual and physical disabilities, geriatrics where she trained for Nursing Assistant and eventually recreation therapy internship. She spent some time working in a wellness center and assisting with start up in Napa Valley where she is from. She practiced as a personal trainer and physical therapy aid on her way to discovering recreation therapy. She loves being able to utilize all of her passions for mental health, human connection, art, music, and creativity to bring joy, function, and quality of life to her participants.

Melivia Ortiz, an independent contractor graduated from Sacramento State University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Therapy. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist currently working in a state healthcare facility. Her undergrad experience includes working with adults with disabilities in adaptive and inclusive recreation environments and adults with mental disabilities in psychiatric facilities. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Melivia’s passion is working with populations that tend to be overlooked and underserved. 

Samrah Aslam, an independent contractor graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Therapy in 2019. She is currently employed in the field of behavioral health and serve patients with mental illness. She has worked as a Behavior Therapist for two years with children with autism. She has also volunteered at various Community Recreation Centers serving all age groups. She is trilingual and speaks English, Punjabi, and Arabic fluently. Samrah is passionate about providing recreational therapy sessions that integrated holistic and activity-based approaches. Samrah believes that an illness can be cured with medication, but it can be prevented with Recreation Therapy.    

Evelyn Lievanos, an independent contractor is a California State University, Sacramento graduate. She received a Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation Parks and Tourism Administration with a concentration in Recreation Therapy.

Evelyn has 3 years of experience working with older adults in a residential assisted living facility as a Life Enrichment Director were she focused on social, educational, recreational, physical, and mental care services. While taking time to focus on teaching, Evelyn knew there was no way her chapter of recreational therapy was over. 

Evelyn had a passion to help those facing hardships especially those who had a mental health illness. Currently she works in a Psychiatric Health Facility were she provides physical, educational and recreational services to adults who are recovering from a mental health crisis.

Evelyn enjoys spending time with her family, outdoor experiences like hiking, swimming, camping, or simply sightseeing. Evelyn’s optimism, and continued growth in her profession has lead her to a beautiful and fulfilling life.

Nasya Henry is an independent contractor who is a strong community and healthcare professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree focused in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Certified Group Fitness Instructor with a demonstrated history of working in the health, wellness, and fitness industry. Skilled in Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Geriatrics, Clinical Healthcare, Youth Development, Fitness Training, Corrections, and Program Coordination. She loves being able to utilize her love for exercise, team building, passion for overall wellness and creativity to help promote the health benefits of engaging in recreational activities to improve one’s quality of life. 

Philip Schexnayder, an independent contractor, is a nationally certified Recreation Therapist with a bachelors of science from Sacramento State. Providing RT services since 2017, Philip has experience serving populations with a full range of physical and mental health disabilities. Drawing experience from his internship with Sacramento’s Milieu Center and his career in California state healthcare facilities, he emphasizes the value of treatment plans with a strengths based approach. Growing up in the south Sacramento region, Philip’s passion is to serve overlooked populations and helping clients find activities that cultivate self-esteem and community.

Kimberly Vickers, an independent contractor, is a certified Recreation Therapist with a Bachelor's of Science degree in recreation Therapy. Throughout her career, Kimberly has worked in a variety of settings including community re-integration, Aquatic Therapies, Clinical Mental Health settings in the private and public sectors, with Veterans, and in community recreation settings. Kimberly also has a background in early childhood education and special education.  Kimberly has a passion for, and specializes in inclusion, mental health and neurodivergent populations teaching leisure and coping skills, and leisure access to all.

Iris Del Real, an independent contractor, graduated from the University of St. Francis in Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree focused on Recreation Therapy since 2010. She is currently employed for the California Department of corrections. She has worked with all ages in different settings such as children’s hospitals, parks and recreation, mental health facilities, a pediatric children’s daycare center, special education, and currently volunteers as a Rec. Therapist for the County. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Iris’s passion is working as a recreation therapist to treat and help individuals with their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through activities.

Lauren Acosta recently graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with a bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy, a minor in Psychology, and a certificate in Natural Resources. After completing her internship with Moore Recreation Therapy & Consulting Inc. (MRTCI), she was offered a full-time Recreation Therapy position at a psychiatric hospital, one of her previous internship sites. Lauren enjoys working with her current adult population, adapting activities, and educating them on coping skills. In addition, she works as a consultant with MRTCI. Her current goal is to attain certification through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). In her leisure time, Lauren enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, paddleboarding, and practicing archery.

Wesley Cornelius, an independent contractor is passionate about bringing awareness to others about Recreational Therapy, being that, "Recreational Therapy uses activity-based therapeutic interventions that individuals enjoy doing!”

Wesley has experience working with children with behavior issues, children with special needs, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, older adults, and parents/caregivers who are in need of a more positive leisure lifestyle for their home to prevent caregiver burnout.

Wesley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Therapy from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Education degree in Instructional Technology from the University of West Georgia. In addition, he is an active member of Toastmasters International and serves as the Vice-President of membership for his local distinguished club chapter.

Wesley specializes in areas such as:

• Benefits of Recreation Therapy for Active Treatment 

• Recreation Therapy Treatment Interventions as a holistic approach

• Program Planning

• Evidenced-Based Practice

• Community Inclusion

As a Recreation Therapy Consultant and Travel Contract Therapist, Wesley provide services to organizations such as:

· Acute Behavioral and Mental Health Hospitals and agencies

· ICF/IDD Residential Group Homes                        

· Senior Living Communities 

· Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF)

Staff In-service Training such as:

· Staff Trainings (adaptation of activities, preventing burnout, individualizing activities, sensory program, implementation, etc.)

· Team Building Activities (Group initiatives, casting vision, effective communication, etc.)

· Resident Activity Program Coaching (program development, or enhancement, 1:1 individualized activity, documentation, etc.)

 Dr. Jamie Hoffman,an independent contractor has worked with special populations for over 20 years and is currently an Associate Professor at California State University, Sacramento. She has worked in municipal recreation, campus recreation, non-profits, Veterans Affairs and for-profit businesses throughout her career serving various populations utilizing adaptive recreation and sports supporting inclusive practices. She has created policies and procedures, provided staff training, published evidence-based practice and research, as well as assessed and implemented programming throughout the world. Dr. Hoffman has presented her research and provided training, education and program delivery within California, across the U.S., as well as internationally in Tahiti, Honduras, El Salvador, Indonesia, and Fiji.  

Alexis Tovar, an independent contractor attended Sacramento State with a BS in Recreation Administration with a concentration in Recreation Therapy and a minor in Dance.  She is a Certified Recreation Therapy Specialist currently working in behavioral health. 

Alexis held the position as the Public Relations Chair for her sorority Sigma Omega Nu at Sacramento State for 2 years.  With this position; she created event flyers, posted content on all social media platforms, and collaborated with other organizations in various capacities. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. She enjoys staying connected with the recreational professionals and volunteering with adaptive sports in her community.