Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Program Staff
April Rosenthal, MS, CTRS, CPRP – TR Section Manager
Current Responsibilities: April started as a Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Programmer in 2010 and has been the section manager since March 2015. She supervises the TR Office in the Department of Parks and Recreation. She is responsible for the oversight and management of all the specialized adapted programs for individuals with disabilities, along with inclusion support services in general recreation programs.
Education and Previous Experience: She graduated from Green Mountain College (Vermont) with a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation. After 4 years in the clinical setting at rehabilitation centers in Boston, she attended Southern Illinois University and graduated with a Master of Science in Therapeutic Recreation Administration with a minor in Outdoor Education. She previously worked in Lakewood, Colorado as the manager for Recreation and Inclusion Services for Everyone (RISE) program and prior to that as the Outdoor Adaptive Recreation Specialist at Cleveland Metroparks in Ohio. Before being promoted to the TR Section Manager she worked as a TR Programmer with an array of responsibilities including supervising adapted classes and social clubs, leading outdoor recreation programs, coordinating inclusion support services, running social skills playgroups, offering consultation on the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and supervising and directing specialized adapted summer camps.
Up Close and Personal: April and her family currently reside in Virginia. April’s favorite leisure activities are being outdoors in nature with her family, volunteering, fostering dogs and cats through animal welfare organizations, cooking, creative arts, and enjoying all things related to the art of comedy.
703-228-4741 or arosenthal@arlingtonva.us
Alexis Shott, MS, CTRS - TR Programmer II
Current Responsibilities: Alexis has been a Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Programmer II since December 2024. She supervises a range of adaptive programs, summer camps and inclusion support services.
Education and Previous Experience: She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Misericordia University and a Master of Science in Recreational Therapy from Temple University. Previously residing in Colorado, her experience in therapeutic recreation started in 2022 when she volunteered with the Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP) of Colorado Springs during her graduate school studies. This led to becoming a staff member in summer camps, inclusion support, and various program offerings year-round. She completed her internship with the TRP in the summer of 2023 then continued leading and assisting programs encompassing music, art, dance, fitness, sports, and aquatics, as well as helping with community center operations. She is passionate about supporting individuals with disabilities in community-based settings.
Up Close and Personal: Alexis and her husband lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado since 2019 and recently moved to Northern Virginia in September 2024. She enjoys exploring new places, walking her dog, and finding good food spots. She is thrilled to start her adventure here and work with so many great people.
703-228-4734 or ashott@arlingtonva.us
Sadie Cook, CTRS - TR Programmer II
Current Responsibilities: Sadie has been a Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Programmer II since fall 2023. She supervises Teen Social Club, Adult Social Club, and summer adapted camps.
Education and Previous Experience: Sadie graduated from Longwood University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation. She spent the first six years of her career working primarily with inpatient physical rehabilitation at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital and Inova Health Systems. Sadie has experience working with various disability group populations. Highlights from Sadie’s career include managing adaptive sports, facilitating expressive arts, and developing horticulture programming. She is thrilled to continue her career as a TR Programmer II for Arlington County and transfer her past skillset to her current role.
Up Close and Personal: Sadie currently resides in Alexandria, VA. Her favorite interests include nature walks, gardening, volleyball, snuggling her pets (2 cats and 1 dog), and attending local events.
703-228-4738 or scook@arlingtonva.us
James Dennehy - Program Support Coordinator
Current Responsibilities: James has been the Program Support Coordinator for the Therapeutic Recreation office since March 2023. His primary responsibilities are customer service, marketing, community engagement, and coordination support for adapted programming and inclusion support services.
Education and Previous Experience: James graduated from Christopher Newport University with Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and American Studies. He has spent time in both the public and nonprofit sectors. James’ work has focused on organizational management, good governance, and civic education. He has promoted accessibility and inclusion in every role and is excited to continue this work with the Therapeutic Recreation team.
Up Close and Personal: James has lived in Arlington for the last 5 years. He enjoys camping, hiking, reading, and relaxing at the beach. James can often be found exploring the DMV and learning the history of the area.
703-228-4740 or jdennehy@arlingtonva.us
Cat Trovato, MS, CTRS, CPRP – TR Programmer II
Current Responsibilities: Cat has been a Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Programmer II since spring 2015. Year-round, Cat coordinates adapted classes, co-coordinates the Adapted Gymnastic program and is the Operations Coordinator for the office. In the summer she is one of the Inclusion Coordinators for camps, specifically focusing on elementary, contracted, and specialty camps.
Education and previous experience: Cat began her career in therapeutic recreation at the Rochester Rotary Sunshine Camp, where she spent 13 wonderful seasons creating fun, memorable summers for campers with disabilities of all ages. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Sociology from the State University of New York at Geneseo and then worked in Residence Education. During that time, she discovered the Therapeutic Recreation profession and chose to pursue a master’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
While attending UNCG, Cat served as the Coordinator of a peer companion program that supported individuals of varying abilities in the Greensboro area in exploring inclusive recreation opportunities. The capstone of her Master of Science in Recreation and Parks Management, with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation, was an internship with the City of Boulder’s EXPAND (EXciting Programs, Adventures, and New Dimensions) program in Colorado. During her time in Colorado, she also worked as an Instructional Assistant at The Joshua School, a private school serving children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Up Close and Personal: Cat currently resides in Fairfax, VA and enjoys hiking, camping, and kayaking!
703-228-4736 or ctrovato@arlingtonva.us
Robyn Mitchell, CTRS – TR Programmer II
Current Responsibilities: Robyn has been a Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Programmer II since fall 2015. Year-round, she supervises inclusion staff and coordinates inclusion support for DPR programs including DPR Aquatics, Office for Senior Adult Programs, Early Childhood Programs and Teens, as well as classes and break camps. In the summer she is one of the Inclusion Coordinators for camps, specifically focusing on early childhood, teens, and specialty camps. She is also responsible for the coordination of Sign Language and CART services.
Education and previous experience: Her career in therapeutic recreation began when she started her first summer working in a therapeutic recreation summer camp. After completing that first summer of camp, she switched majors from a fine arts to therapeutic recreation. She completed her first internship with Arlington County Therapeutic Recreation and then completed a second internship with the Northern Virginia Training Center. She graduated from Longwood University with a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation, with a minor in the fine arts. In her time with Arlington, she has focused on inclusive services, as well as managing various therapeutic recreation community programs.
Up Close and Personal: She was born and raised in Fairfax County and currently lives with her longtime boyfriend. In her free time, she enjoys working on art, reading and spending time outdoors.
703-228-4731 or rmitchell@arlingtonva.us