2024 ATRA Annual Conference - Together We Thrive, Together We Rise

MS, CTRS/L

Valerie Carter, MS, CTRS/L is a Recreational Therapist (RT) at the VA Medical Center in Manchester New Hampshire. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Green Mountain College, and her M.S. in Recreation Management and Policy- Therapeutic Recreation Administration from the University of New Hampshire. She is a Certified Yoga Instructor and Certified PeaceLove Expressive Arts Facilitator. Prior to working with Veterans, Valerie provided RT services to adults with developmental disabilities in a community based program, and inmates with severe and persistent mental illness in the federal prison system. Throughout her career, Valerie has had extensive training in Recreation Therapy with a focus on treatment for individuals with mental health disorders.

PhD

Dr. Adam Ingrao holds a BS in Agriculture and Plant Science from California Polytechnic State University and a PhD in Entomology from Michigan State University. He is the Co-Founder and National Director for the Heroes to Hives program and an Outreach Specialist at Michigan Food and Farming Systems. Dr. Ingrao has been working in sustainable agriculture for 30 years and with honey bees professionally for 17 years, teaching beekeeping to audiences around the world. He has published numerous peer reviewed articles on agriculture topics, is a regular contributor to Bee Culture magazine, and was most recently a co-author of the textbook Honey Bee Medicine for the Veterinary Practitioner.

MA

Lacey Ingrao is a Transpersonal Psychologist specializing in nature-based therapy and transitions. She is Co-Founder of the Heroes to Hives program, and Co-owner of Bee Wise Farms LLC. Lacey received her BA in Psychology from California State Polytechnic University and MA in Transpersonal Psychology from Naropa University. She completed a 200 Hour Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training in 2010. Lacey brings a depth of knowledge in mental health, nature-based therapy, transitional support, and outreach to under-served communities.

PhD, CTRS/L

Jessie L. Bennett, PhD, CTRS/L is an Associate Professor at the University of New Hampshire in the Department of Recreation Management and Policy. She received her B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation from Green Mountain College, her M.S. in Youth and Family Recreation from Brigham Young University, and her Ph.D. in Leisure Behavior from Indiana University. After completing her B.S., she worked as a recreational therapist (RT) for a residential rehabilitation center for children with developmental disabilities. During her M.S. and Ph.D., she worked as an RT with military service members with combat-related disabilities and their families. She has extensive clinical training as an RT, with most of her career working as an RT in adaptive sports programs for Veterans with disabilities. Employing primarily mixed methodologies, her research is focused on examining the outcomes of RT programs for Veterans with behavioral health disorders and/or physical disabilities.