STAT® INC.

Cat Markosky, CEO & Founder of STAT® Inc.

Cat Markosky is a Developer of the equine assisted learning program called the EQuine AffectSM, which explores emotional intelligence "EQ" alongside horses. She is a certified Equine Specialist (ES) through EAGALA with an Individual Military Designation, O.K. Corral Series, and EquiLateral™. She has over 20 years' experience working with horses and humans utilizing and developing therapeutic alternative modalities. Cat is also the General Manager of the Ligonier Therapeutic Center and owner of Pleasant Meadow Farm LLC, along with being the Founder and CEO of STAT® Inc. (a 501c3 est. 2007), an EAGALA Military Designated Services Organization. 

With two of her three children having special needs... Mason with an extremely rare syndrome called Costello Syndrome complicated with Cerebral Palsy from a birth injury, younger brother Maxwell is Autistic, she completely understands the struggles families have in finding valuable services, both therapeutic and recreational, that focus on and actually produce meaningful outcomes. 

Julie Kiehl, PT, DPT, MS, CES, PES

Dr. Julie Kiehl is a licensed Physical Therapist, is certified in Hippotherapy Level 1 through the American Hippotherapy Association, and is a certified Equine Specialist in EAGALA. She obtained her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Saint Francis University in 2014. Prior to that, she obtained a Master’s degree in Exercise Science, a Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from California University of PA, and certifications as a both a Corrective Exercise Specialist and a Performance Enhancement Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Julie has worked in many different settings through Powerback Rehabilitation and Bethlen Communities Home Health and Hospice. In her youth, she took horseback riding lessons for many years and is passionate about combining her love for horses with her education in rehab services to improve the quality of life of her patients. 

Stephanie Roberts, OT

Stephanie is a licensed Occupational Therapist since 2012, is certified in Hippotherapy through the American Hippotherapy Association, and is a certified Equine Specialist in EAGALA. Stephanie graduated from Saint Francis University in 2012 with a Masters in Occupational Therapy, with a Bachelors in Health Sciences and a minor in Psychology. She has worked at the Laurel View Village, Allstar Therapies prior to taking a position at STAT, while maintaining her work in home health, hospice, at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier, PA since 2014. Stephanie was involved as a child and young adult in the Laurel Mountain Horse and Pony 4H Club for 5 years and is an avid equestrian. Stephanie is certified in Part 1A and 1B through the AHA and is a fantastic addition to our team at STAT®.

Mel Jenkins-Fernandez, PsyD

Dr. Jenkins-Fernández (“Dr. Mel”) is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience helping adolescents, Veterans, and Soldiers heal from trauma. She values the equine assisted experiential approach that helps people discover creative solutions, make new insights, cultivate gratitude, and develop adaptive and more balanced ways of thinking, feeling, and doing. Dr. Mel also likes puns and encouraging people to "horse around intelligently." 

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Dr. Mel is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA). She earned her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from APA accredited Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA and a Pre-Doctoral APA Internship in Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University-Dept of Veterans Affairs in Nashville and Murfreesboro, TN (2006) and a Psycho-Oncology Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine & Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO (2008). Dr. Mel is licensed in PA and FL. She is a Developer of the equine assisted learning program called the EQuine AffectSM, which explores emotional intelligence "EQ" alongside horses. She is a certified EAGALA mental health (MH) professional with an Individual Military Designation, and an MH in O.K. Corral Series. She is certified in Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Equine Assisted EMDR (EquiLateral™) therapy. Finally, she is also a third generation military Veteran and served honorably in the U.S. Air Force after enlisting as a teenager. 

Teresa Jerome MS, LBS

Teresa is a licensed Behavioral Specialist, with her MS in Developmental Psychology. Teresa has a background in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and holds more than 30 certifications from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, to include: Trauma-Focused CBT with Childhood Traumatic Grief, Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency (for Complexly Traumatized Youth), Family Resilience, Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma with Children to name only a few. Teresa is not only a professional in the field of pediatric mental health but she is also a mother of 4 with 2 of her children being adopted - children who have experienced severe childhood trauma; she has first hand parental perspective along with her clinical experience. 

​Allison Vasinko, LBS, BCBA

Allison is a LBS with a BCBA and a focused background in Applied Behavior Analysis and Early Childhood Education. Allison has a special interest in children and teens who are challenged with a variety of physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, and/or behavioral challenges, but specifically Autism Spectrum Disorders. She earned degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Juniata College and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She is also a Certified Educator and works in the field of Mental Health at STAT® as a certified EAGALA Practitioner.

Katie Ferm, MSW

Katie is a Licensed Social Worker currently under formal supervision to receive her independent clinical licensure. She received her Bachelor of Science in 2014 as a double major in Psychology and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University. She then earned her Master of Social Work from University of Pittsburgh in 2017. Over the past seven years, Katie has worked with individuals from all walks of life in both community-based, non-profit settings as well as in clinical roles at top-ranked hospitals. She currently works as a psychotherapist at a private practice in Pittsburgh in addition to her work with STAT®. She is EAGALA certified. Katie’s therapeutic approach is individualized, solution-focused, and strengths-based with an emphasis on examining how our thoughts and beliefs affect our emotions and behaviors. Katie has a specific passion for providing veterans with trauma-informed care. She is also a lifelong equestrian who has extensive history working with equines as a former hunter jumper, western trail rider, and volunteer at various equine therapeutic centers. She believes in meeting people where they are at, honoring their unique experiences, diversity, and goals. Katie is determined to provide support in order to help anyone achieve balance and wellness in their life.