Amanda Held, Founder & Executive Director
“Years ago, I struggled with mental health and relied on medication to cope daily until I met a wild Mustang named Shelby. Working with her taught me the power of emotional regulation and healing. I founded H.O.O.V.E.S. to share this with others, especially veterans struggling with PTSD. Through equine therapy, we can save lives.”
Having grown up and trained with horses all her life, in 2003 Amanda began working with them in a different fashion - to begin her own healing process from depression, anxiety and PTSD.
Encouraged by personal results, Amanda enhanced her proficiency with formal training and certification in EAGALA, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and several other stress and trauma coaching modalities.
From her training and personal experience, she has developed her own method called Equine Integrated Wellness™. Today she practices and teaches this coaching method, helping over 450 veterans and family members combined to develop the current H.O.O.V.E.S. curriculum
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Along with our amazing volunteers, this group of professional and caring individuals bring their expertise to our table. From being behind the scenes to being on the front lines, we are thankful for their contributions.
Katy Hubbard
Associate Director,
Director of Youth Services,
The Patriot Project Facilitator
Sarah Hess
Director of Brand Marketing
Tiffani Hollis
Director of Outreach
and Impact
Matthew Dick
Chief Experience and
Innovation Officer
Randy Roberts
Chief Safety and
Compliance Officer
Justin Held
Facility Manager,
Founder | Miles 2 Freedom
Stephan Gardner
Program Advisor,
Creator | Art of Integrated Appreciation Method
OUR ADVISORY BOARD
Nolan Baker
Board President
America's Retirement HQ
Doug Hancock
Board Member
Sons of the American Legion
Stephanie Synclair
Board Member
Entrepreneur, Founder La Rue 1680
Henrike Klein
Board Member
Entrepreneur,
International Business Consultant
Amanda Held
Executive Director
H.O.O.V.E.S.