Julie Wood, MEd, is the founder and executive director of Sunrise EquiTherapy since 1998. Julie has been a certified instructor through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association since 1999. She has her undergraduate degree from Hastings College in elementary education and master's degree in special education/behavior disorders from the University of NE-Lincoln. She has taught in Lincoln, Millard and at the Alternative High School in Omaha, now retired and focusing on Sunrise EquiTherapy. Plus focusing on the class she is teaching at UNL Animal Sciences entitled, Introduction to Equine Assisted Therapy. Sunrise has formed a partnership with UNL Animal Sciences to build a jointly used equine facility for university students and therapeutic riding clients.

Julie has owned and trained Arabians over the last 38 years. She has shown locally, regionally and nationally. Her special purebred Arabian was put down at the age of 31, she owned him for 28 of those years. Her husband is an attorney in Lincoln. They have two sons and 3 granddaughters. The 5 year old granddaughter is horse crazy and loves to come and visit. Julie's goal and dream is to secure a year-round facility for therapeutic riding and develop a vocational rehabilitation program through Sunrise EquiTherapy!