About Us

Learn more about HART and the great team, board members, and volunteers that bring a smile to your face.

OUR MISSION:
To empower, strengthen, and support individuals and their families facing physical and neurodiverse challenges through horse-related activities.
OUR VISION:
To positively change lives by harnessing the power of people and horses.
WHO WE SERVE:
Our primary beneficiaries are those with physical, cognitive, emotional and social challenges. We are hopeful to broaden our definition to include other groups of individuals that can benefit from our services.
WHERE WE OPERATE:
We are currently operating in Salem, Oregon at West Hills Stables, an interim facility, as we build our own arena at a recently purchased property. We are creating a network of partners throughout the Willamette Valley to bring healing to our communities.

Our Team

Maelle Gery

Program Director

Maelle comes to us from France, where her passion for horses started. She went to college in Montreal, Canada, where she got her bachelor degree in geology, until she realized that working with horses was what she wanted to do. She has extensive equine knowledge as well as experience in supported living with adults. She is well traveled, energetic and very excited to be able to grow with HART!

Isabelle Michelini

Instructor

Isabel has worked with HART for nearly four years, including as an intern while working toward her degree in psychology. Building on their training and keeping them in shape for when we would be able to resume sessions. She feels very much a part of the HART family, and has dedicated many hours to helping the animals be the best providers of therapy they can be, from exercising the horses to socializing and helping to raise the lovely barn kitties. She hopes to continue to help HART grow and provide meaningful sessions for our clients.

Hannah Medeiros

Instructor

Hannah Medeiros, a resident of Clayton, California, relocated to the Willamette Valley in 2017 to pursue her education at Western Oregon University. There, she successfully earned a B.A. in American Sign Language Studies and a minor in Forensic Psychology. With a background in equestrian activities, Hannah has a history of riding horses in both English and Western disciplines. Her summers were spent in the California mountains, engaging in activities such as camping, backpacking, and horseback riding. Recognizing the therapeutic benefits of nature and animal interaction, Hannah values spending time outdoors and with animals as a form of therapy. In addition to her involvement with HART (Horse Assisted Therapy), she holds roles as a teacher and a former behavioral therapist for children with autism. Hannah is deeply committed to improving accessibility and fostering connections between different communities, particularly between the Deaf and Hearing communities. Her time is dedicated to teaching, community volunteering, and enjoying moments with her husband and their diverse array of pets. Bringing joy to her life is the opportunity to offer access, support, and enjoyable experiences with horses and other animals.

Our Board

Joleen Magill

President

Joleen is a long-time resident of the mid-Willamette Valley. She has been a licensed insurance agent for the past 30 years. Joleen has served on various youth and activity boards for the past 15 years. Joleen’s passion for HART came from her daughter Josie’s involvement in the adaptive riding program. In her free time she enjoys going to the mountains and the beach with her husband.

Mija Sims

VIce President

Mija joined the HART team in May of 2017. Her background includes a bachelor of science degree from OSU, and 20 years of experience as an accomplished dressage trainer/instructor. She is also a United States Dressage Federation bronze medalist.

Myrna Gulick

Treasurer

Myrna attended Western Washington State University where she received a BA in education. She spent 30 years in human resources and management, and with her husband, runs an established business in Salem. Myrna has also served in leadership with Christian Women’s Club in Salem in the establishment of city-wide Bible studies and in leadership with Bible study fellowship. She also is a Sunday school teacher and a Salem-Keizer School District volunteer. Myrna’s grandson was one of HART’s first clients.

Mindy Roth

Secretary

Mindy was born and raised in Salem, Oregon. She graduated from Salem Academy and then Corban University where she received a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education. Mindy works as a special education teacher and runs a home business, as a licensed esthetician. She has been involved with community boards, PTC boards, and coaching volleyball. Her connection to HART has been through her daughter who started adaptive lessons in 2018.

Liz McNealey

Board Member

A native of upstate New York, Liz moved to Oregon in 1995 to pursue a career in sales and marketing in the snowboard industry. Now a licensed insurance broker focused on health insurance, Liz is also a devoted horsewoman. She has bred and showed Morgan horses for years, and enjoys caring for her retired show horse at home. She became interested in volunteering for the HART program a few years ago and loves being involved with the horses and people that work together to make this a great program.

Karen Kennard

Board Member

Karen has been involved in the community for over 25 years and has served on many boards including the City of Lyons Planning Commission since 1977, the State Occupational Therapy Board, the Lyons Fire Department Auxiliary, and the Santiam Historical Society. Karen’s daughter has participated in equine therapy for over 25 years. Karen received an AA Degree in Animal Husbandry and Dairy Husbandry from Mt. San Antonio College.

Nicolle Morlan

Board Member

Nicolle was born in Oregon and has lived here most of her life. She is a manager at Umpqua Bank and has been in the banking industry for over 22 years. She is a CASA volunteer for Clackamas County. Her connection with HART comes from meeting Myrna. Her youngest son has several physical and developmental challenges, and she has advocated for him to visit HART. By joining the board her hope is to be able to give back and help sustain and grow such a wonderful organization.

Our Horses

Thor

16 years old Icelandic Pony. Thor was purchased by HART in January 2024. He is a sweetheart and loves to be groomed and cuddled. He takes great care of his riders and teaches them to ride independently.

Loki

10 years old Gypsy Vanner: Loki has been a care lease since March 2024. He has a gentle soul and enjoys grooming more than anything. He settled right in and is loving all the attention he is getting from the clients.

Athena

14 years old Percheron/Gypsy cross. Athena joined HART in July 2024. She is the true definition of a gentle giant. She is very sweet, and has more woah than go, which makes her a perfect therapeutic riding horse.

Oldermann

22 years old Norwegian Fjord. Oldermann has been with HART for many years. Despite his smaller height he has a big personality. He loves his food and taking naps in the sun.

Our Volunteers

Our volunteers are the lifeblood of HART, helping to make our adaptive riding therapy program an unforgettable experience for our riders. If you are interested in joining our team of dedicated volunteers, we offer orientations to help you get started. Meet some of our volunteers and see why they are so important to our program.

Interested in
Becoming a Volunteer?

Are you passionate about horses and the positive impact they can have on people with special needs? We welcome you to join the HART team as a volunteer! Whether you've got experience with horses, or simply a desire to help, we've got plenty of opportunities to make a difference. Sign up now to learn more about how you can get involved with us.

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About Us

Our Team

Maelle Gery

Isabelle Michelini

Hannah Medeiros

Our Board

Our Horses

Our Volunteers

Interested in Becoming a Volunteer?

Interested in
Becoming a Volunteer?