MEET OUR TEAM

MEET OUR TEAM

Vicki Eiland

Program Director
Certified Riding Instructor (CTRI)

  • Vicki’s journey in therapeutic horsemanship began in 2011 when she started as a dedicated volunteer at New Heights. Her commitment and love for the mission led her to join the staff in 2016. Vicki holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Florida State University and is a PATH International Certified Riding Instructor (CTRI) as well as a PATH Certified Mentor. She is driven by a love for helping riders grow in confidence, strength, and self-esteem through equine-assisted therapies. As Program Director, Vicki is dedicated to creating an environment at New Heights where riders, volunteers and families feel embraced and valued. She is honored to be a part of this exceptional team committed to enhancing and enriching the lives of others.   

Caroline Krieger

Volunteer Coordinator

  • Caroline’s lifelong passion for horses led her to New Heights Therapeutic Riding Center in 2021, where she began as a volunteer. Her dedication and enthusiasm quickly launched her to the role of Volunteer Coordinator in 2022, a position she embraces wholeheartedly. Caroline cherishes collaborating with the remarkable New Heights community—volunteers, staff, riders, and horses—whom she regards as an extended family. A true team player, Caroline finds joy in fostering happiness and believes the barn is a haven for cheerful, smiling faces. She considers it a privilege to contribute to New Heights and lives by the motto, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” 

Paula Kent

Operations Coordinator and Ambassador

  • Before joining the staff at New Heights March of 2025, Paula began as a New Heights volunteer in October of 2023. She has a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Paula has worked for her church as the accounts receivable manager and event planner for over 15 years. Paula, along with her husband of 36 years,  also loves volunteering at her church, as well as Mary's Song Restoration Center, and also in the community. She has a heart to make people feel special and loves to encourage others on their journey no matter where they are in life. In her spare time, she and her husband enjoy trail riding, hiking, biking and tennis. She has always had a love for horses and children and she's very grateful to have found New Heights. She feels this provides a unique opportunity to see students overcome their challenges through therapeutic riding with their amazing herd of horses . Paula is grateful and blessed to have found this wonderful place where she can serve others, help the mission of New Heights continue to grow, and work along side such an amazing staff, parents and students.

Caroline Acklin

Barn and Herd Manager

  • Caroline- known to her New Heights family as “Montana”—has devoted her life to pursuing her passion for horses.

    Her journey took a defining turn after a family trip to Montana in 2021, where she fell in love with the western way of life that she had always dreamed of but never realized was within reach. That trip ignited something deep within her, and without hesitation, she moved to the small cow town of Dillon, Montana.

    There, she enrolled at the University of Montana Western, studying Natural Horsemanship with a focus in Equine Science. Caroline immersed herself fully—gaining hands-on experience from professors, equine veterinarians, riding instructors, horse trainers, ranchers, and, of course, her own horses.

    Since returning to Louisiana, Caroline and her family have partnered with their trainer to begin buying, training, showing, and selling high level performance Cutting Horses. Her passion has also fueled the development of her own breeding program centered around her favorite equine breed: Clydesdales. Most recently, she achieved a lifelong dream by purchasing a Clydesdale stallion to serve as the cornerstone of her program.

    Now, Caroline is honored to share her deep love and appreciation for horses through the powerful work being done at New Heights. She believes in the healing, empowering connection between horse and rider, and is passionate about making the joy of horsemanship accessible to every individual. Caring for the herd and supporting riders as they grow in confidence, strength, and independence through adaptive riding is not just a role for Caroline—it’s a calling.

Larke Williams

Physical Therapist/Hippotherapy

  • Larke is a physical therapist by trade with a passion for helping others achieve their full potential. Following completion of her doctorate degree in physical therapy from William Carey University in 2021, Larke entered the workforce with a special interest in pediatrics. Following years of experience in the treatment of movement disorders for patients of all ages, she expanded her practice by completing part one and two of the American

    Hippotherapy Association courses. These courses provided her with the knowledge of how to utilize equine movement in her physical therapy sessions. Larke is dedicated to helping her patients achieve their goals and maximize their independence. Outside of work,

    Larke enjoys spending time with her husband, her family, and her dogs. She believes in patient centered care and is committed to supporting patients every step of the way on their journey.

Mike Arnold

Development Director

Nadia Bordelon

Marketing and Social Media