Amanda's Story

Having grown up and trained with horses all her life, in 2003 Amanda began working with them in a different fashion - to begin her healing process from depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Encouraged by personal results, Amanda enhanced her proficiency with formal training and certification in EAGALA, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and several other stress and trauma coaching modalities.

From her training and personal experience, she has developed her own method called Equine Integrated Wellness™. Today she practices and teaches this coaching method, helping over 300 veterans and family members combined to develop the current H.O.O.V.E.S. curriculum

Military Bio

Civilian Bio

Meet The Team

Justin Held

Ohio native Justin Held has been seeking adventure since day one. With his love for the outdoors he has never been able to sit still. From crushing miles on foot through the Appalachian Trail and hiking the Coast of Maui, to Fly fishing some of the nation’s most pristine rivers and streams. If it involves rad gear than he has done it! After battling an alcohol addiction for 20+ yrs, he learned tools that helped him experience deep healing. Since his recovery, he has set new goals in life and adventures. His mission and vision are to share these adventures with those who are seeking a new life of hope and healing.

Kristy Bateson

Kristy bateson is the barn manager and volunteer coordinator for HOOVES. Her responsibilities at hooves include caring for the animals, picking up all the food and supply needed, and working with the auxiliary to start a youth program. She has been here for 2 years. She is the wife to an air force veteran and they reside in swanton with their family.

Tristan Moehler

Tristan is a HOOVES Alum who went through his life changing retreat in April 2019. Since then, he has volunteered 3-4 days a week to assist with animal care, retreat operations, and to continue growing by implementing actionable steps towards his life purpose. Recently, Tristan has taken on leadership roles as Retreat Program Manager and Mentor Program Coordinator. Tristan believes that the tools learned during his retreat are so valuable and life changing, he felt inspired to pursue his certification in the Equine Wisdom Integration Method (EWIM). He is currently training to be a facilitator so he can pass on what he has learned, to help veterans turn their post-traumatic stress into their post-traumatic growth. One of the many skills Tristan brings to the HOOVES Community is his mindful pen turning workshop. Tristan guides retreat participants through the pen making process to create a one-of-a-kind gift, sharing how creative expression is an important part of healing and growing.

"Every pen tells a story, what's yours?" – Tristan Mohler

Kelly Griffiths

Instructors

Tim Sixberry

Heather Tarolli

Heather Tarolli is an Ohio based contemporary sculpture, who works primarily in metal, stained glass, and ceramics. She draws inspiration for her work, from her time as an Army veteran. She is currently the Rage Painting Instructor at H.O.O.V.E.S., full time student at the University of Toledo, pursuing her B.F.A. in sculpture, while also being a full-time mother of two.