Who We Are
Amanda Held
Founder & CEO
“Years ago, I struggled with mental health and relied on medication to cope daily until I met a wild Mustang named Shelby. Working with her taught me the power of emotional regulation and healing. I founded H.O.O.V.E.S. to share this with others, especially veterans struggling with PTSD. Through equine therapy, we can save lives.”
H.O.O.V.E.S. was born from that experience. It was built slowly and deliberately, in partnership with fellow veterans, not as a replacement for clinical care but as a path forward when other options had been exhausted.
Military Bio
Civilian Bio
Meet Our Leadership Team
Along with our amazing volunteers, this group of professional and caring individuals bring their expertise to our table. From being behind the scenes to being on the front lines, we are thankful for their contributions.
Katy Hubbard
Associate Director
H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumnus
Email Katy
Justin Held
Facility Manager
Founder of Miles 2 Freedom
H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumnus
Email Justin
Lindsey Genet
Director of
Volunteer Services
Email Lindsey
Sarah Hess
Director of Brand Marketing
H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumnus
Email Sarah
Jessica Goolsby
Social Media Manager & Community Liaison
H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumnus
Email Jessica
Randy Roberts
Chief Safety and Compliance Officer
H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumnus
Email Randy
Matthew Dick
Chief Technology Officer
H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumnus
Email Matthew
Patrick Caligiuri
Director of Outreach & Impact
H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumnus
Email Patrick
Robert Drake
"Drake"
Director of Integrated Services
H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumnus
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Stephan Gardner
Program Advisor, Creator of "Art of Integrated Appreciation Method"
Meet Our Advisory Board
Our advisory board helps guide H.O.O.V.E.S. with expert insight, strategic direction, and diverse perspectives. Their support keeps us aligned with best practices and strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful healing experiences. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and wisdom.
Heather Beier
President
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Stephanie Synclair
Secretary
Entrepreneur, Founder La Rue 1680
Henrike Klein
Treasurer
Entrepreneur, International
Business Consultant,
H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumnus
Dr. Emily
Hayman-Schmenk
Member-at-Large
Founder & CEO, Neurofl ex Juice Co.
Jessica Goolsby
Social Media Manager
H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumnus
Meet Our Animal Partners
At H.O.O.V.E.S., our animal partners, featuring our remarkable rescue horses, play a crucial role in helping our veterans on their healing journeys. These gentle cohorts provide companionship, therapeutic interaction, and a sense of self that is invaluable to those we serve.
Shelby, Mustang
Hemi, Clydesdale
Petey, Spotted Draft
Elise, Saddlebred Quarter Horse
Gracie, Mustanga Goolsby
company story and mission
Our journey began with a passion for open-road adventures and a goal to make travel easier and more accessible. What started as a simple idea has grown into a trusted rental service offering well-maintained RVs for every type of traveler.
mission statement:
Our mission is to provide simple, reliable, and enjoyable rv experiences that make every journey stress-free and memorable.
quality service
comfort & convenience
affordable options
memorable journeys
Our Core Values
At H.O.O.V.E.S., we bring veterans, their families, and first responders together with rescued horses in powerful, life-changing experiences that create deep bonds, spark healing, restore purpose, and open the door to new beginnings. Everything we do is grounded in a set of core values that guide how we serve, connect, and make a lasting impact.
Compassion: Serving with empathy and understanding.
Resilience: Empowering veterans to reclaim their strength and hope.
Community: Building a network of support for veterans and their families.
Integrity: Upholding the highest standards in our mission and work.
Our Mission
H.O.O.V.E.S. is redefining trauma recovery through the powerful partnership between veterans and rescued horses. Grounded in evidence and guided by empathy, the organization restores purpose, measures healing, and proves that when human and horse unite, anything is possible.
Our Vision
To become the national model of measurable horse-human trauma recovery that sets new standards in healing, research, and hope.
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