At Horses Adaptive Riding and Therapy, we are committed to nonprofit excellence in service to our clients. We operate a fiscally responsible, operationally sound 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our instructors, therapists, staff, volunteers are experienced, professional and qualified. Safety is our top priority. We are passionate about the services we provide.
Susanne J. Rosen – Executive Director
Susanne has over 35 years of experience in the nonprofit sector connecting people with special needs and animals. She was an assistance dog trainer, volunteer coordinator and development director at Canine Companions for Independence in California. In 1988, Sue and her sister Kerrill Knaus-Hardy, founded HORSES for the Physically Challenged in Oregon. During her 26 years there she trained therapy horses for persons with special needs; ran the first and only all access horse rental business at Silver Falls State Park; designed custom riding equipment; and took people with disabilities on equine pack trips into the wild and wilderness areas of Oregon. Susanne was the Executive Director at Adaptive Riding Institute which was the third largest equine therapy program in Oregon before assisting with the founding of Horses Adaptive Riding and Therapy.
Megan Ingalls – Program Coordinator/ Lead Instructor
Megan graduated from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology, with an emphasis in Zoology. Megan began riding horses at a young age. She started volunteering at HART in April 2017 and she says she “quickly fell in love with the clients, horses, and staff at Horses Adaptive Riding and Therapy”. When an instructor position opened up in September 2018, she jumped at the opportunity to interview. In 2019 Megan was promoted to Program Coordinator and Lead Instructor. Megan loves building relationships with her clients and supporting them in reaching their goals. She says she enjoys all aspects of working at HART. Megan continues her education in equine assisted therapy and recently received certification in Equine Assisted Learning/Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
Megan has always had a strong connection to animals. Her favorite animals are dogs and horses (of course). She is always up for chatting about animals and about her own dogs, Aiden (Golden doodle) and Lucy (Boston terrier).
Paige Yeakle – Instructor
Paige joined Horses Adaptive Riding and Therapy in August of 2018 as an intern from Willamette University where she received her BA in psychology and women’s & gender studies. Paige is passionate and committed to helping people build healing relationships with horses. Paige has always been committed to working with animals, especially horses. Paige joined the staff as an instructor in March of 2019. Paige will receive her Equine Assisted Learning certificate in June 2019.
