Rebecca Anderson- Program Coordinator

Having grown up on a farm, Rebecca comes to Mountin' Hopes with many years of experience working with horses. She has spent most of her life volunteering with various humanitarian organizations. Her love for horses, as well as, her desire to help others drew her to Mountin' Hopes. Rebecca has always felt the bond between horses and humans and is enjoying her time at Mountin" Hopes as she watches that bond in a therapeutic setting. Rebecca works full time at Mountin' Hopes to coordinate and schedule riders, instructors and volunteers.

Abby Gage - Instructor

Abby has been involved with Mountin’ Hopes since it began in 1997. She volunteered many, many hours with Mountin’ Hopes’ first instructors and students. Abby became a NARHA instructor in 2003. She teaches 1-2 days a week and assists in summer programming.  Abby also works with the state of North Carolina in  studies regarding the use of natural resources.  

Katie Hadden - Program Instructor

Katie started volunteering with therapeutic riding while in college and upon graduation worked as an Administrator at a therapeutic riding center near Charlotte.  Katie is CHA and NARHA Instructor certified.  She is really interested in natural horsemanship and enjoys learning how horses communicate with each other as well as with us.  Katie works full time at Mountin' Hopes to teach classes and manage the horses.

Jannine Shepard- Executive Director

Jannine (please call her Jan) is not new to WNC, but has been gone for a number of years. She has recently re-established residency in WNC and lives now fulltime right here is Madison County. Jan has extensive experience in leadership, having spent many years in management in the healthcare industry. Over the years, Jan has devoted many hours of volunteer work to variety of non-profit organizations. She has also spearheaded extensive fundraising initiatives and worked closely with grant projects. Jan works full time providing direction, guidance, and leadership to the staff and volunteers of Mountin’ Hopes.

Grace - One of our therapy horses

Our Horses are also very important members of our team!

(Click here to meet all of our Therapy Horses)