Charlene considers herself a jack-of-all-trades in her POP career. For two decades, she was a professional horse trainer and spent a year shadowing veterinarians and physical therapists before choosing to pursue physical therapy. She later became a licensed physical therapy assistant, inspired to work in healthcare like her mother and grandmother. That’s when she discovered the POP profession and chose to become a certified prosthetic-orthotic assistant and later, certified orthotic fitter. In her current role, Charlene enjoys the variety of her day-to-day responsibilities—from technical projects to working at a nearby rehabilitation center and even administrative work: Charlene is always learning new skills.

Charlene’s interest in the POP career sparked after reading a book titled, “Run, Don’t Walk”, which inspired her calling to help amputees regain lost mobility. She plans to eventually pursue a master’s degree to become a licensed and certified prosthetist orthotist. In her spare time, Charlene enjoys spending time with her husband and son, pottery wheel throwing and horseback riding with her horse, Katara, and pony, Little Man.