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.

JAN GRISE
EAL Director., Certified Instructor (CTRI), Mentor to Instructors-in-Training, Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning

Jan Grise is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) with Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (Path Intl.), a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Standards Certified Instructor in English and Western Equitation, a PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, a PATH Intl. Mentor/ Trainer of new Instructors, and holds a Master of Arts degree in Special Education. She is the Riding/Program Director of Horses with Heart (HwH), a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Therapeutic Riding Center, in Chino Valley, AZ.

Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan has been a serious equestrian for over 50 years. She has owned and trained several horses and has volunteered in therapeutic programs at riding centers in Ohio, New Jersey and Arizona. Jan has been a Certified Instructor with Horses with Heart since 2008. Her passion is for working with individuals with physical, emotional and learning disabilities and mentoring other Instructors to embrace this same passion. Her favorite part about being a Therapeutic Riding Instructor is “seeing the riders become more confident and independent as they progress in their riding skills and seeing miracles take place daily before her eyes. The smiles from the riders are priceless.”

Jan, as Program Director of Horses with Heart, is an organizer by nature. She is responsible for recruiting, evaluating and assigning riders to the various therapeutic classes at HwH and mentoring/training new Instructors. Her dedication to Horses with Heart shows in everything she does. Jan was instrumental in the attainment of the accreditation of Horses with Heart as a PATH International Premier Accredited Center – the only one in Northern Arizona.

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/ Volunteer Coordinator

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

ANNE CALLAHAN
Equine Specialist - Silver Saddle Instructor

Horses have been central in my life since I was nine years old, and I had the opportunity to begin riding at my uncle's farm in Washington state where I grew up. I was in 4-H for nine years. I have been in several horse organizations over the years riding with Back Country Horsemen of Washington in the Northern Cascades, Quarter horse events, and have spent the last 10 years studying and riding classical Dressage and 5 years on the board for Northern Arizona Chapter of Arizona Dressage Assoc. I have a variety of riding experience and training that spans over 45 years.

I volunteered with Horses with Heart’s therapeutic riding program after moving to the Prescott area for several seasons. It was a wonderful opportunity and rewarding  to witness the happiness and connection the participants made with the horses. Horses do have a special gift of being able to touch your heart. I truly love working with and training them, and I enjoy sharing my horse experience and helping others make those connections too.

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.”