Meet the herd

Adriana “Addie” Groot first volunteered at the Ranch in 2024 and quickly became a member of the Board. As Chair of the Facilities Committee, she brings her expertise in compliance & business development to help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. With a background in corporate law, startups, and international business, Addie applies her skills to both big-picture strategy and hands-on work. At the Ranch, you’ll find her rolling up her sleeves to support fundraising efforts, side-walk in lessons, tackle facilities projects, or serve as Apple’s dedicated Instagram intern (our horse, not the company!). Addie holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Queen’s University Belfast & a B.A. in international affairs & philosophy from the University of Cincinnati.

Alexa is, first & foremost, Calloway’s mom. She also serves as a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI). She believes the world flourishes when we are brave enough to change our minds – about what we are capable of, about the way the world works, and about how we can operate in it. Her mission is to steward that process in others, particularly in her emphasis in working with at-risk youth at the Ranch. She has previously served as our Board President & Secretary.

In addition to the work at the Ranch, she is pursuing her Master’s degree in clinical mental health & counseling with an emphasis on children & adolescents. In her free time, she works with her hands as much as possible, gardening and starting any number of house projects on the weekends. You’ll rarely find her without dirt under her nails or her canine companion, Luna.

Email: alexa.ball@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Amanda started as a volunteer mentor and exercise rider for Animals as Natural Therapy in Bellingham, Washington in 2001 while she earned her Bachelor’s degrees in english and anthropology from Western Washington University. She earned her PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) certification in 2010 a year after earning her Master’s degree in english, and was among the first PATH members to earn the new Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning (ESMHL) certification in 2012. Working alongside certified counselors, horses, goats, chickens, cats, and dogs, Amanda specialized in helping children, teens, and veterans overcome social-emotional issues, addiction, and trauma. 

After moving to Austin, she joined the team at Healing with Horses Ranch as a part of their equine-assisted psychotherapy & equine-assisted learning programs in 2021. As well as teaching riding & horsemanship, she also teaches english as an adjunct instructor, first for Whatcom Community College starting in 2010, and then for Austin Community College in 2023. She currently lives in Kyle, Texas, with her two boys, husband, and herd of cacti. If you catch her at the right moment, she’ll tell you more than you want to know about werewolves.

Email: amanda.hoppe@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Anna-Ruth is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist-Associate (LMFT-A), as well as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC). Anna-Ruth has worked in community based mental & behavioral health for 6.5 years with various populations throughout the greater Austin metropolitan area. She joined the herd in 2025 & facilitates a non-judgemental, trauma informed & person-centered approach to her work with clients. Anna-Ruth specializes in relational work & believes in the importance of embracing vulnerability in an empowering, meaningful way.

Anna-Ruth is originally from Oklahoma City, OK & moved to Austin after completing her Master’s degree in the fall of 2018. She enjoys spending time at the Ranch, as well as with close friends & co-workers. Anna-Ruth also enjoys accompanying her dog Cleo on walks & tapping into creative outlets such as drawing/painting.

Email: anna-ruth.lewis@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Apple is a 13.2hh Haflinger mare, born in 2006, that joined the herd in 2018. She knows a handful of party tricks, including picking up a hula hoop and throwing it over her head.

Arianna is our Program Director, a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), an Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning (ESMHL), and most importantly, our therapy mule Earl’s mom. She has spent a decade in the field of nonprofit work, making the world a more inclusive place for people with disabilities & at-risk youth. Her mission is to support & guide her team of Instructors & Equine Specialists so they can continue to change lives through the power of the horse.

Outside of her work at the Ranch, Arianna enjoys spending time with her partner Jeremy, and is an avid fan of anime & comic books: a quintessential nerd.

Email: arianna.roman@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Bio coming soon!

Avalon is a 15.2hh American Warmblood mare, born in 2001, that joined the herd in 2012. She has been at the Ranch the longest out of all our horses – since the beginning! This brave girl came to the Ranch after escaping the Bastrop Fires of 2011. Avalon was our Horse of the Year in 2018.

Belarus S Fire “Belle” is a 16hh Hanoverian x Arabian mare, born in 1999, that joined the herd in 2018. This flashy, sassy girl was a three-day eventer (cross-country jumping, show jumping, & dressage) before coming to the Ranch. You can tell Belle apart from our other chestnut horses from the white bell-shaped spot on her left hindquarter. Belle was voted our Horse of the Year in 2022. She is now retired from riding, so she primarily works with our equine-assisted learning & psychotherapy clients.

Bo is a 15hh Tennessee Walker gelding, born in 2000, that joined the herd in 2014. Bo has a neurological condition that isn’t painful to him, but leaves him unfit to be ridden anymore. Thus, he primarily works with our equine-assisted learning & psychotherapy clients which are facilitated on the ground.

My Texas Chrome “Calloway” is a 16hh OTTB (off-the-track Thoroughbred) that joined the herd in 2023. Though his racing days weren’t very winning, he’s sure won our hearts as a therapy horse, which he likes much better anyway. He is leased to our program by one of our Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors, Alexa Ball.

Carly is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI). She brings over 20 years of experience as an equine professional to Healing with Horses Ranch. Her first ride in her home state of Georgia at the age of eight didn’t go as planned. She did, however, receive her first lesson in resilience as she learned what “getting back on the horse” truly meant. Carly believes that through a partnership with horses we learn resilience, empathy, patience, persistence, and authenticity. She has a passion for facilitating connections between horses & humans, so that they may both benefit from the relationship.

Carly’s success competing in hunter/jumpers as a youth earned her a scholarship to ride for the University of South Carolina, where she was a member of the three time National Championship winning hunt seat team, and captain of the 2007 National Championship Equestrian Team. After college, she headed west to Austin and started her career as an equine professional. Her students and their equine partners have been successful competitors at the local, national, and collegiate level. She has taken riders from their first foot in the stirrup, to their highest jump. They not only have learned the skills needed to be successful in the saddle, but have also benefited from all around horsemanship lessons that carry over to their lives outside of the barn. Carly teaches that all aspects of horse care can be beneficial, from practicing mindfulness observing their behavior, to learning responsibility cleaning a stall. While working at show barns throughout Austin, she also spent time volunteering at Healing with Horses Ranch. After ten years of volunteering, she decided to become PATH certified and officially joined the team. In addition to being a PATH Intl. CTRI, Carly is an Equine Specialist (ES) through EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) and trained in the Natural Lifemanship model. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in counseling & working towards becoming an LPC. Outside of the Ranch, you can find her enjoying Austin’s vibrant live music scene or making her own scene as a self-proclaimed karaoke queen.

Email: carly.johns@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Casper is a 15.2hh Quarter Horse x Hanoverian gelding, born in 2010, who joined the herd in 2023. His fur is as soft as velvet! Casper was voted Horse of the Year in 2024, after only being a therapy horse for 1 year.

Charlie Brown is a 16hh American Paint Horse x Clydesdale gelding, born in 2002, that joined our herd in 2021. Charlie has one blue eye and one brown eye, also known as heterochromia!

Crystal is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) that joined the herd in 2014. At the Ranch, she’s done it all, from teaching, to helping train horses, to running volunteer training, and wrangling wildlife. In addition to working at Healing with Horses Ranch, she’s also a vet tech with Matthews Veterinary Services. She works with animals of all sizes, and is an integral part of keeping our herd healthy. Crystal has been around animals her whole life, even “baptized” by a horse sneeze as a newborn when she came home from the hospital. She has her own personal zoo at home: dogs, cattle, horses, and her own chaotic baby donkey named Kai. In her free time she enjoys dog & horse training, listen to music, and doctoring her own animals. Crystal is pictured with her Great Dane, Tank, who you might see at the Ranch with her!

Email: crystal.merkel@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Dashing to Starlight “Dash” is a 16hh Foundation Quarter Horse gelding, born in 2008, who joined the herd in 2023 after retiring from the Austin Mounted Police Department.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Lafreniere is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL). He is passionate about equine-assisted learning and blending it with his prior experience & training as a facilitator. During his 25 years of military service, he held a variety of command & staff appointments where he was responsible for facilitating & training leaders to lead, organizational development, military training & education, and mentoring both personal & professional growth.

David is a retired Canadian Army Afghanistan war veteran. During his service, he was a specialist in ISTAR and a subject matter expert in ground maneuver reconnaissance (light cavalry). After returning from Afghanistan, he was the president of several boards of inquiry investigating military suicides where he made significant recommendations to improve processes to better serve soldiers with operational stress injuries. His last appointment before retirement was as Commanding Officer of a reconnaissance battalion. In this capacity, he grew the strength & morale of his unit. He trained & mentored leaders to move into senior positions utilizing new methods that became the standard throughout the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. He has experience facilitating joint military, inter-agency, multinational, and public operations.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science, a business studies certificate, a post-graduate degree in casino management, a journalism degree, and attended seminary. Some of the several pursuits in addition to his military service include nearly 10 years in casino management. He also worked in emergency management & disaster assistance for both the military & the Red Cross, including facilitating & leading emergency management training and was a Certified Emergency Management Instructor. David has managed volunteers and been a youth pastor for the United Methodist Church. He has worked with the homeless running soup kitchens & rotating shelters. David has been married for more decades than his wife, Leeanne, allows him to admit to. He has two daughters who are now flourishing as strong & successful young women. He considers himself a secular Buddhist and enjoys time with friends, collecting watches, wildlife photography, reading spy novels and watching spy movies.

Email: david.lafreniere@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Davina is our Finance Manager & a PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning (ESMHL). She joined the herd along with her daughter Crystal in 2014. However, before then she used to drive by the Ranch & donate round bales over the fence like a magic fairy! She eventually met Patty during an adventure with one of the original therapy horses, Weston, in 2013. It took a while for her to commit, but once she did we just couldn’t get rid of her!

Email: davina.merkel@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Dusty is a 16hh Appaloosa gelding, born in 2008, who joined the herd in 2023. You can’t miss his gorgeous spotted snowcap coloring that quite literally looks like a dusting of powdered sugar.

Earl is our resident mule, born in 2015, who joined the lesson program in 2023! He is leased to the program by our Program Director, Arianna Roman. Earl’s parents were a mammoth donkey john & a draft horse cross mare, which makes him tower over most average-sized mules. You may catch him hanging his head over the fence to be pet or wanting to be right in the middle of whatever is going on around him. He has a fun, goofy personality that is sure to make you smile.

Bio coming soon!

Frida’s love for horses began at the age of six when she started riding lessons in her hometown in Sweden. From the moment she sat in the saddle, she was hooked. After moving to Austin, Frida sought a place where she could combine her passion for horses with her desire to give back to the community. That search led her to Healing with Horses Ranch, where she found a shared love for equine care and the positive impact horses can have on people’s lives. She has now been a volunteer at the Ranch since early 2023 and became a member of the board in 2024. Frida was elected Board President in 2025. As a member of the board, Frida’s primary focus is on our equines, ensuring the well-being of every equine in our program.

Email: frida.heidewald@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Gold is a 15.3hh Registered Solid Paint gelding, born in 2016, who joined the herd in 2023. Gold was a halter show horse before coming to the Ranch.

Hannah started at the Ranch in 2017 as a volunteer and earned her PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) certification in 2020. In 2024, after leading many sessions in the veterans & first responders program, she officially became the first Veterans Program Coordinator.

She started riding horses at the age of 7 and competed in the hunter/jumper/equitation disciplines for 15 years. Hannah has a big love for animals which led her to earning a Bachelor’s degree in animal science from Tarleton State University where she also competed on the college’s club equestrian team.

Outside of the Ranch, Hannah works as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). Hannah’s favorite thing about her jobs is that she is able to have a positive impact on those she works with. When not working Hannah enjoys running, hiking with her dog, and traveling with her husband Cody. Fun fact: Hannah & Cody got engaged on a trail ride along the trails of Healing with Horses Ranch!

Email: hannah.west@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Hercules is a whopping 18hh Belgian gelding, born in 2007, that joined our herd in 2021 after retiring from the San Antonio Mounted Police Department.

Hilmar Noble, known as just “Noble” around the Ranch, joined the Board in 2024. He serves on both the fundraising & facilities committees in addition to being the Board Secretary.

Outside of the Ranch, he is a consultant whose career has spanned a wide range of experiences—from professional ballet, the Navy, to combating human trafficking on a global scale and driving transformative growth in multinational organizations. With over 20 years of executive leadership experience in operations, finance, strategic development, and global logistics, Noble has a unique ability to blend creativity, discipline, and a deep sense of purpose into every aspect of his work.

Before transitioning into the business world, his foundation was built in the military, where he first gained the precision, resilience, and leadership skills that would shape his career. As a consultant, he learned the importance of performance excellence, collaboration, and pushing beyond personal limits. In his professional life, he has demonstrated his ability to drive transformational change across industries. He has led organizations through significant growth, expanding asset portfolios from millions to over $1B and increasing annual revenue from $40M to $800M. His expertise spans strategic business planning, portfolio management, and cross-functional leadership, with a focus on evidence-based decision-making and financial acumen. Additionally, he has leveraged his leadership skills in global efforts, particularly in combating human trafficking. Noble’s work in this field has allowed him to connect his professional capabilities with a deep commitment to social impact, another reason he joined the Healing with Horses Ranch team.

Bio coming soon!

Jen is a dedicated solo parent to a vibrant 5 year old who finds joy through riding in one of the Healing with Horses Ranch programs. As an amateur equestrian, Jen owns a 7 year old off-track thoroughbred named Beau (pictured), with whom she is training in the hunter/jumper discipline. This commitment to equestrianism showcases Jen’s passion, discipline, and ability to balance multiple responsibilities effectively.

In addition to their personal endeavors, Jen has an established career in business development within the construction & interior design sectors. This professional path highlights her strategic thinking, creativity, and keen understanding of market trends. With a unique blend of personal & professional experiences, Jen brings a fresh, dynamic perspective to the Ranch board, demonstrating resilience, innovation, and a solid commitment to growth & development.

Joel is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning (ESMHL) who joined the herd in 2022. One of his first horse riding experiences ended in an all out gallop to the barn after a nice calm trail ride at the age of 6. His appetite for thrills and horses has not diminished since. He has been working in the trauma therapy, addiction, and emotion regulation field for 18 years in inpatient psychiatric, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels of care.

Joel’s passion is assisting clients in learning how to be in the moment in their own bodies, while experiencing their own emotions, thoughts, and power. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife and 3 adult children, as well as playing soccer, fly-fishing, and reading.

Email: joel.wyrtzen@healingwithhorsesranch.org

John has 35+ years experience in the aerospace, heavy equipment/agriculture, and high tech industries doing operations, product development, manufacturing, supply chain, and business process design. Additionally, for the last 25 years, he also worked in non-profit space as a volunteer, board member, and now Executive Director of Healing with Horses Ranch.

John is a motorsports enthusiast with numerous 2 and 4-wheeled projects in work at all times. John got involved with performance driving 20 years ago, and regularly attended track day events for many years. He completed time trial events and is a performance driving instructor.

John loves spending time with his wife, Patty, their kids, and looks forward to passing on his car addiction to his grandchildren.

Email: john.dandrea@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Judy has loved horses her entire life. She first found the Ranch after her daughter sent a link that brought her to a horse yoga class that took place at the Ranch. As soon as she arrived, she knew that it was a place she wanted to be. That same day, she inquired about volunteering, but it wasn’t until she retired from teaching that she was able to commit on a recurring basis. She has now been a volunteer at the Ranch since 2020, and became a member of the board in 2024. Everyday at the Ranch is a new day; a day full of love & possibilities! It is her mission to learn about and take care of our horses. Additionally, she is passionate about making a difference in the lives of our students & clients.

As a board member, her focus is fundraising, but she also assists with the program & volunteer committees. She is dedicated to helping Healing With Horses Ranch grow in order to reach more people. She does this in memory of her father, a WWII Veteran.

Judy is a tap dancer & a member of the Austin Tap Ensemble at Art Beat Dance Center in Cedar Park, Texas. She is not only passionate about horses, but all animals! Outside of the Ranch as a nature lover, she enjoys enjoy hiking in forests and mountains with her husband, Sam. Together they have a wonderful daughter & son-in-law.

Justus is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who joined the Ranch as a volunteer in 2023 and became Board Treasurer in 2025. He uses his public accounting & corporate finance experience to support the Ranch’s accounting function and prepare project budgets as a member of the Grants Committee.

Justus graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2017 with a B.S. in accounting and is pursuing a Juris Doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin in the class of 2028. Outside of the Ranch, he enjoys running, cycling, hiking, and travel involving any of these activities. He is an advocate for active lifestyles and furthers this as a member of the leadership team of a local Austin running club. 

Email: justus.wesloh@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Katie has been a dedicated volunteer at the Ranch since 2016. She currently serves as the Facilities Coordinator, Vice President of the Board of Directors, and Chair of the Volunteer Committee. In 2024, she earned both her Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) & Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning (ESMHL) certifications. Katie has over 15 years of experience in training & leadership and believes teaching others is the best way to learn & grow.

Email: katie.hange@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Katie started at the Ranch in 2020 after starting the Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) training & student teaching process at a PATH Intl. facility in Kentucky. After moving to Texas, Katie quickly found the Ranch to be her new therapeutic riding home. She went on to earn her CTRI certification later that year. Outside the Ranch, Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in parks & recreation administration, and additionally holds a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification. As a recreational therapist for the city of Austin, Katie runs recreational programs for adults with disabilities.

Email: katie.mikulcik@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Kayla is our Client Coordinator who joined the herd in 2025. With a background in education, youth development, and student support services, she is passionate about creating welcoming spaces where clients feel seen & supported.

Outside the Ranch, Kayla enjoys hunting for quirky thrifted treasures, floating the river, and spending time with her partner & their dog.

Email: kayla.mckee@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Laura is our Equine Coordinator, PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), and Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning (ESMHL).  She grew up in northern New Jersey and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2013 with double degrees in fashion entrepreneurship & Italian studies. At UMass, she rode on the equestrian team & the drill team, started her art & design business, and met her partner. Laura has called Austin her home since 2015 and was a volunteer at Healing with Horses for two years before becoming an employee in 2022.  She’s been riding for over 20 years and in her spare time loves hiking, gardening, sewing her own clothes, reading, drawing, singing to her cats, and rearranging her house.

Email: laura.summers@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Lauren began volunteering at the Ranch in April 2016, after visiting an open house one rainy day and eagerly inquiring about volunteer opportunities. As a recent transplant to Manor, hearing about an opportunity to work with horses was a lifelong dream come true. She found every opportunity to spend her free time, outside a full-time job, volunteering. In Fall 2019, the opportunity arose for Lauren to join staff as the Volunteer Coordinator and the rest is history. In her current role she’s enjoyed being a catalyst for individuals much like herself to find their place at the Ranch and to help guide & train them with a volunteer’s first-hand perspective.

Lauren loves animals of all kinds and surrounds herself with a variety of pets, including a rabbit, budgies (parakeets), a leopard gecko and two dogs. You have likely met her dogs, Orla & Bernie, here at the Ranch. Lauren has a Bachelor’s degree in fine arts and always loves to seek out the intersection of art & nature; having a history of working for science, nature, and educational arts-based nonprofits since 2009.

Email: lauren.higgins@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPC-A) with a background in trauma-sensitive yoga & a lifelong love for horses. She joined the herd in 2019 as a volunteer, where she became attuned to the extraordinary sensitivity of horses. She fosters a nonjudgmental, empowering space for clients to explore their inner experiences in relation to the outer world. Through interactions with horses, Lisa helps clients cultivate self-awareness & build healthier relationships. She places a strong emphasis on authenticity, believing that being true to oneself is crucial for overall well-being.

Lisa is an Austin native who enjoys reading historical fiction & fantasy novels, gardening, and all things floral. She loves camping and traveling with her husband & their two dogs, especially if it means getting out of Texas during the hot summer months!

Email: lisa.garza@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Maggie is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) & Sugar’s mom. She joined the herd in 2021.

Email: maggie.anderson@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Marleen embarked on a life-changing adventure by moving from the Netherlands to Texas in 2023 due to her husband’s job. The transition wasn’t just about adjusting to the Texas weather but also embracing an entirely new chapter filled with unexpected opportunities. While Marleen considers herself adventurous and open to new ideas, moving to Texas was never something she had imagined in her wildest dreams. Leaving behind family, friends, and colleagues was challenging, but it paved the way for transformative experiences, particularly her work with horses.

Marleen developed a love for horses at a young age, but a childhood fall left her afraid to ride, and she never got back on. Despite this, she always felt a deep connection to horses and a desire to overcome her fear. After 36 years, she finally took action, and within one day of volunteering at Healing with Horses Ranch, her fear vanished. Working with the Ranch’s kind horses & supportive community has brought profound meaning to her life, and she has fully embraced her new path.

Marleen now thrives in the Ranch’s outdoor environment, surrounded by horses, clients, and a loving team of people, learning something new every day. She earned her Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning (ESMHL) certification in 2024. In addition to her role at the Ranch, she is a Certified Energetic Therapist, herbalist, and natural healer. Marleen uses her expertise in energy work and the Masterson Method to help horses regulate their energy and address physical & mental challenges. Marleen also plays an active role in the Ranch’s weekly “hoof spa,” where she enjoys caring for the herd. She’s particularly excited to begin creating homemade hoof oil and other natural remedies to support the horses and help the Ranch save money.

Email: marleen.beukers@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Michael is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Registered Play Therapist (RPT), and Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning (ESMHL) who works with our equine-assisted psychotherapy clients. Michael has loved horses since childhood and was thrilled to join the herd at Healing with Horses in 2022. She works with children, teens, and adults, and may be a good fit for your family if you or your child is experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, or loss. She also specializes in working with youth showing behavioral difficulties at home or school, those who have experienced a traumatic or difficult event, and youth or families experiencing difficulty adjusting to a life change. When she’s not seeing clients, Michael loves singing, swimming, hanging with her cats, or playing with her rambunctious toddler.

Email: michael.starr@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Minnow, our Calico princess, joined the herd in 2021 by showing up to the Ranch and deciding it was too good to leave. You would never believe she used to be feral, terrified of humans, and uncatchable, because she now enjoys a good belly rub and all of the attention she can get.

Mouse, affectionately named after the job she gave herself, joined the herd in 2019. Like her adopted sister Minnow, she wandered onto the property one day and decided to adopt us. You can usually find Mouse curled up in a variety of places, including but not limited to: a cushion, cat tree, stack of saddle pads, box of tools, feed bin… if it fits, she sits.

Monastery Overture “Oreo” is a 8.2hh Miniature Horse mare, born in 2008, that joined the herd on Christmas Eve in 2012. ​She is only beat by Avalon (by a few months) as being with us the longest. Oreo is our smallest equine with one of the biggest personalities. She is the alpha boss of her pasture and often the face of the Ranch at community outings. Though her size suggests that she would be classified as a pony, technically speaking, she is biologically a horse with dwarfism. Oreo’s registered name comes from being bred & raised by a sisterhood of nuns in Brenham at the now-closed Monastery of St. Clare.

Patty is the founder of Healing with Horses Ranch. Starting with a love of children & horses, she wanted to engage with a community of like-minded people when she & her family moved to Texas in 2001. She started as a volunteer at another center and was told that she needed to become an instructor because she talked too much! That started her journey! In 2004, Patty did become a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and kept on learning & trying to improve. She is now a PATH Intl. Advanced-Level CTRI & Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning (ESMHL). She founded Healing with Horses Ranch with the encouragement of her husband John in 2011 to share the healing powers of horses, and held the first lesson in January 2012. Her mission today is to train others so that they too can share the same passion of horses in a safe, effective, and empathic way.

Patty has always loved horses, dogs, cats, and, well… all animals! She loves to travel & explore nature. She is mom to her princess pony Bailey (who lives in her backyard), elusive cat Hootie, and John’s cockatiel Cricket. But mostly, she loves her husband, their two children, and their five grandbabies who call her Neigh Neigh!

Email: patty.dandrea@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Peach, previously known as Kate, is a 13hh Haflinger mare, born in 2010, that joined the herd in 2017. Fun fact about Peach: she came to us having never been ridden before! She was trained as a cart pulling horse originally. Peach was our Horse of the Year in 2019.

Rebekah serves as the Development Director & a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) at the Ranch. She joined the herd in 2018 as a volunteer while balancing her long-time job at Amy’s Ice Creams and pursuing her Bachelor’s degree. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in applied learning & development, along with minors in sociology & social work. With experience working with youth, she is passionate about helping young people discover their voice & strengths. She believes horses are uniquely capable of facilitating this process in ways humans can’t! Her mission at the Ranch is to inspire generosity in the greater Austin area & beyond, ensuring the magic of equine-assisted services continues to grow & thrive.

Rebekah’s love of horses began early, starting riding lessons at age 6. Her grandmother played a significant role in fostering that passion, putting her on horseback before she could even walk. Many of Rebekah’s childhood summers were spent helping her grandmother drive cattle on horseback in the Teanaway Valley in central Washington. She also competed in equestrian activities through 4H and on her high school’s equestrian team outside of Portland, Oregon. While she has explored many disciplines, she has always been drawn to English-style events, particularly jumping & dressage.

Outside of the Ranch, Rebekah enjoys spending time with her partner, cat, and dog. She loves astrology, art, interior design, a good show or movie, and soaking up the sun.

Email: rebekah.fookes@healingwithhorsesranch.org

Rosemary is a strawberry roan 13hh Quarter Pony. She was born in 2013 and joined our herd in 2021 after retiring from her career in show jumping.

Stu is a 14hh Paint Pony gelding, born in 2002, that joined the herd in 2020. He is a retired trail horse from the Hyatt Regency Resort in Bastrop.

Sugar is a 15hh Quarter Horse mare, born in 1996, that joined our herd in 2021. Her mom is one of our Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors, Maggie Anderson, and is leased to our program. Miss Sugar is currently our oldest herd member, but you’d never know it due to her spunky energy! She is retired from riding, so she primarily works with our equine-assisted learning & psychotherapy clients.

Sweet Pea is a 10hh Donkey john, born in 2006, that joined the herd in 2016. When he came to the Ranch, he was dropped off, unbeknownst to us, with a hoof to shoulder-length cast, because he was hit by a car! Sweet Pea then worked his way back to health to become our “Horse” of the Year in 2021. You will often find him at events in the community, as he loves socializing more than anything.

Zoe is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) who initially began as a volunteer in 2015. She quickly fell in love with the work the Ranch does & the benefits it provides everyone who steps through the barn doors. She realized the power of a horse in helping people to recognize & grow their confidence & resilience. Zoe knew she wanted to help others discover this powerful relationship with horses, so she became a CTRI in 2021. You will also find her often leading horse handling & other trainings for new volunteers.

Outside of her work at the ranch, Zoe has a Bachelor’s degree in geosciences and enjoys spending time outdoors hiking & camping, playing with her pup, Arlo, and working on various art projects. You can check out some of her art work on the Ranch shavings trailer (a collaborative art project with other volunteers) & the 2023 volunteer t-shirt.

Email: zoe.lacey@healingwithhorsesranch.org