Amanda Braden

As Director of Operations at Partners for Progress, Amanda Braden combines her expertise as an Occupational Therapist with her lifelong passion for horses to create innovative, results-driven equine therapy programs. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, completing specialized fieldwork in Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation and Pediatrics. She is licensed by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) in both Illinois and Wisconsin and holds a Level I Certification with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), specializing in equine-facilitated mental health interventions. Additionally, she is Level 2 certified in Myofascial Release through the John Barnes approach.

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Amanda’s equestrian journey began at just five years old, and by nine, she was competing at the highest levels. She has represented Wisconsin at the American Quarter Horse Youth World Show and earned multiple championship titles, including Grand Champion honors at the American Quarter Horse Congress in Hunter Under Saddle, Hunter Hack, and Equitation Over Fences.

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Beyond her role at Partners for Progress, Amanda has worked for over five years in school-based occupational therapy, guiding families through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. A dedicated advocate for equine-assisted therapy, she developed the groundbreaking Therapeutic Goal Writing framework, first presented at the 2007 North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (now PATH International) Region 7 Conference. Amanda is a CHA & PATH Certified and continues to share her expertise at industry events, speaking on the importance of documentation in therapeutic riding and effective horse-and-rider pairing.