Our Team
AIREAL DALLAM
Program Coordinator
Aireal started volunteering at Horses with Heart in the beginning of 2023. She has enjoyed all the amazing team members, the beautiful herd, and most importantly, the lives that are changed for the better by animal engagement, the riders.
She has grown up around horses and began to make their therapeutic abilities more a focus of study in the last few years. This includes being in the final stages of testing for the PATH Int. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor accreditation.
Being involved with the special needs community since she was young, this was a natural combination of two worlds. Reading, watching, and writing about the therapeutic capabilities, both quantitively and qualitatively, that animals, and more specifically horses provide, is one of the many joys of working with the special needs community. Aireal is excited to expand this knowledge base to additional communities who can benefit from Horses with Heart’s equine services, such as the senior community, veterans, and the caregivers of our wonderful community.
An Arizona native, Aireal currently lives in Prescott with her husband. With many family members close by and her family’s cattle ranch on the outside of town, Prescott has been the perfect place to call home.
SHERRY HOOVER
Certified Therapeutic Registered Instructor
It hasn’t taken Sherry long to build an impressive listing of teaching credentials. Since joining HwH in 2012, she has become a PATH Certified Therapeutic Registered Instructor, a PATH Intl. Equine Specialist (ESMHL), a CHA-IRD Instructor (Physical & Cognitive), and holds accreditation for CHA Standards in both English and Western.
Growing up in Arcadia, California, Sherry was always interested in horses. Although when she started volunteering with HwH, it was her first in-depth experience to the equine world. She first joined HwH simply because of her love of horses. But soon after that, “I found that working with special needs individuals was my calling.” Week in and week out, her riders respond to that passion with deep affection and trust. Sherry continues to challenge herself to become an even better Instructor, attending clinics and workshops throughout the year. She loves seeing the joy on the riders’ faces as they accomplish a task. Her overriding joy? “Seeing the riders become all they are able to be.”
Sherry a talented Instructor assisting in the many facets of program development, potential participant assessment, class assignments, registration, and mentoring Instructors-in-Training.
MARCIA GAGNON
Horse Health Manager
Certified Therapeutic Registered Instructor
Marcia Gagnon is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor who believes in the power of connecting with horses. She began her journey in horsemanship early in life and now dreams of sharing her knowledge and love of horses with all the riders at Horses with Heart.
She started riding at a young age, participating in gymkhana, Team Penning/Sorting and reined cowhorse events. She became fascinated watching the horses that competed in Stock Horse classes and was enthralled with their ability and athleticism. She started taking lessons, raising and training her homebred horses and competed in NRCHA events for more than 25 years. Her biggest accomplishment to date has been winning the National Reined Cowhorse Association (NRCHA) 2003 Non Pro Bridle National Championship.
Marcia lives in Prescott Valley with her husband, two dogs and still has two of her homegrown raised horses that are 22 and 18 yrs old.
“Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls, they give us hope.” ― Toni Robinson
TRUDY CHAPMAN-RADLEY
Certified Instructor (CTRI), HwH Board Member, CHA Member
A whirlwind in Western boots, Trudy became the first Executive Director of HwH in 1996, just three years after joining the group begun by Vickie Stuart. A certified PATH Instructor and CHA Member, she’s been a fixture in Arizona’s horse world since 1970, from 4-H programs to nationally-sanctioned barrel racing competitions.
Born in Akron, Ohio and an Arizona resident since 1965, Trudy initially wanted to be a school teacher. Life had other plans, though, and she took her love of both children and horses into the arenas of Horses with Heart. Trudy’s hands-on horsemanship education has come from legends like Pat Parelli, Monti Roberts, Ned Leigh Equine Natural training. The Murray Family Butch, Joy and TY now living in Stephenville TX. Adventure In Awareness Barbara Rector, now located in Tucson AZ. Bonnie Lemaire my first Barrel Racing lesson.
Describing HwH as her “second family,” Trudy knows better than most how “the horse-rider relationship helps make dreams come true.” Sometimes it can be challenging to see past a rider’s disability and find their ability, she notes. Still, “No wheelchairs or walkers are needed when you’re on the back of a horse. My passion has been to serve the disability community and pay it forward with love and compassion. I’m so blessed!” And one more thing… “When our riders succeed in our arena, they will succeed in the arena of life.”
DEBBIE HUTCHENS
Volunteer Coordinator
Debbie joined Horses with Heart in 2023 as a volunteer and then joined our staff as our Volunteer Coordinator a year later. She and her husband moved to Arizona in 2021 and are thrilled to call Prescott their home. Debbie has had a lifelong love of horses, but living in Southern California did not allow for much equine experience, so as a retired Special Education teacher, volunteering with us has given her a blend of both worlds she loves. Horses with Heart is a perfect combination to continue to serve those with special needs as well as learn the values that horsemanship offers.
KRISTINA MCCONNELL
Facility Manager
Kristina McConnell is thrilled to join the Horses with Heart team as Facility Manager, bringing a wealth of experience in horse care and facility management. Her background spans years of hands-on work with horses in various capacities, complemented by extensive corporate experience where she excelled in customer relations and collaborated with senior executives. Kristina’s outgoing and personable nature makes her a dynamic addition to the team. Her dedication ensures she’s ready to tackle any challenge with enthusiasm and expertise.