Our Team

Anne Spiess
Executive Director

Anne Spiess has spent her career in the government affairs arena representing elected officials, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations. Upon graduation from college, she began her career in the San Diego home office of Federal Senator Pete Wilson, R-California, where she assisted with constituent issues. Anne then went to work for Governor Michael Dukakis, D-Massachusetts, in his Washington, DC office. She handled constituent communications and assisted with monitoring higher education issues for the Governor on Capitol Hill.

Due to a job relocation of her husband a few years ago, Anne and her family now reside in Dewey, Arizona. Anne is a native of Phoenix, however, spent her early years in Kansas as well. She attended the University of Kansas, majoring in Journalism, and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. In a volunteer capacity, Anne has served as president of the Shawnee County Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas, and as vice-president of the Alzheimer’s Association, Topeka Kansas Chapter.  

Anne's family received tremendous support from the Alzheimer's Association during her dad's struggle with Alzheimer's disease. After his loss, she was asked to join the Alzheimer's Association, Topeka Chapter Board of Directors. She moved into a leadership role with the Board serving as vice president and helped the Topeka Chapter Board and staff raise money in the community for others who were coping with the disease. Her family also participated in the Memory Walk, an event held not only in Topeka, but also across the United States. As her term on the Board ended and due to her background in government relations, she was asked to represent and lobby on behalf of the Kansas Chapters of the Alzheimer's Association before the Kansas Legislature. While she has legislatively represented numerous clients over the years, it was so fulfilling to see the efforts of their chapter staff, donors, and tremendous volunteers make an impact on the Legislature. Especially during Alzheimer's Day at the Kansas Capitol, they increased awareness of the disease and the resources available to citizens across the state. Legislators were always thankful for those resources as they too were trying to help their constituents dealing with Alzheimer's. Her service to the Alzheimer's Association was important not only to assist citizens in the community, but also to help heal her own family. Her dad had helped so many people throughout his life, they knew he would have been proud of their efforts on his behalf to better the lives of others. 

Anne has enjoyed riding and owning horses over the years and has helped her son to win one of the Kansas Cowboy Challenges. Anne and her family -- husband Ed, son Nick and his family -- enjoy walking, hiking, and camping with their numerous adopted dogs.

CLARISSA DONNELLY

Program Director

Clarissa comes to HwH from Palos Verdes, CA, where she began volunteering at a PATH Intl. Member Center in 2016. Participating in lessons as a sidewalker and horse leader and witnessing the profound impact the horses were having on their riders, it did not take long for her to realize that this would be her chosen career. Clarissa became a PATH Intl. certified instructor in 2018, and after graduating with her B.A. degree in Behavioral Sciences in 2020, she grew into leadership roles at the center, most recently serving as their Program Director. Clarissa has a strong equestrian background, having successfully competed in Western schooling shows, worked as an assistant trainer, and taught beginner- through- advanced Western riding lessons. She participates in clinics and educational events whenever possible and believes that her love of riding and passion for learning shine through every aspect of her work. Horses have been a crucial part of her personal journey of self-growth, awareness, and confidence, and she loves to see students experiencing those same benefits.

Having fallen in love with Arizona’s natural beauty, Clarissa is thrilled to be relocating to the Prescott area and is looking forward to getting involved in the local horse community.

CHELSEA BARTH
Office Manager

Chelsea is not new to Horses with Heart; she originally began volunteering here in 2014 and has been a volunteer on Safety Support Teams for many years. Born and raised in Prescott, she spent a few years traveling before returning home. She brings her organizational skills, love of people, and love for Horses with Heart into this role. Her favorite part of being the Volunteer Coordinator is getting to know the wonderful people that make up the Horses with Heart family.

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
Certified Therapeutic Registered Instructor

Marcia Gagnon is a newly 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 was born and raised in Southern California and went to school at Cal State Long Beach where she met her now husband of 34 years.  Debbie and her husband have 2 grown children who both still reside in Southern California. Their daughter is a graphic artist for a media company and their son has a business as a musician and producer. Debbie stayed home for many years to raise them, homeschooled a few years, and then went back to college to finish her undergrad and graduate degrees in Special Education at GCU. She taught PreK through highschool age students for approximately 12 years in a private Christian school with 8 of those years in Special Education. She loved discovering how her students learn and how best to help unlock their potential. After she and her husband retired, they longed to move outside of Los Angeles and visited many areas before settling in Prescott, AZ. They say it is such a breath of fresh air living outside of such a huge metropolitan area, and are LOVING it. Debbie did not grow up handling horses other than summer trips on trail rides, but always had an admiration for them. Horses with Heart is a perfect combination for her to continue to serve those with special needs and to learn the values that horsemanship offers.