Kelly Yates grew up around horses. As a competitive equestrian rider she regularly competed in hunter/jumper competitions. It was this expansive background with horses that inspired Kelly’s college roommate to invite her to serve as the Lead Horse Wrangler at Camp Barnabus, a camp for special needs children. This summer job changed Kelly’s life. She discovered her love for serving children with special needs. She went on to attend graduate school at Colorado State and later joined the TEAM family as a Licensed Occupational Therapist in 2010.

Kelly Yates draws on both local and international treatment experience. She serves children locally in Northwest Arkansas and has served on several TEAMworks trips in Ukraine and Guatemala. Kelly has been instrumental in bringing critical resources and educational materials to children around the world as a Coordinator of Resources for TEAMworks International Outreach Initiatives and TEAMworks Fundraising Committee member. Kelly also makes significant contributions to TEAM’s on-site operations by serving as the OT Resource Manager for TEAM’s Fayetteville Clinic. Kelly enjoys adventures with her husband Ben who is an active outdoorsman.

Kelly is Certified in Interactive Metronome and has received advanced training in Food Chaining Methods to address food aversions and picky eating, Beckman Oral Motor Methods, Handwriting without Tears and Kinesio Taping Methods.