We believe every person deserves access to compassionate and transformational healing and growth. We partner our experienced therapy horses and trauma-informed practitioners to provide equine-assisted services to help individuals and groups rise to their full potential. We are committed to expanding access to equine-assisted therapy and learning for all who can benefit. All our work with horses is on the ground (no riding) and accessible for every athletic ability, especially focusing on the underserved communities. At Helping Hands hope returns, trauma softens, relationships build, connections improve and hearts begin to mend.
We provide equitable and transformative equine-assisted services in an outdoor setting so individuals and groups can rise to their full potential. Through inclusive, experiential programs, our experienced horses and practitioners help people heal, build connections, learn, gain confidence and create positive, lasting change in our community.
Our work extends beyond rescue to transformative therapy, where we connect individuals, families, and corporate groups with our animals through tailored therapy sessions and developmental workshops. These programs are designed to improve mental health, enhance interpersonal skills, and build resilience among participants. By integrating the Eagala Model (a distinct, highly structured, and evidence-based approach to equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development) and other proven therapeutic approaches such as Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), we offer a unique pathway to healing. Our programs are underscored by a commitment to ethical and compassionate care.
Born in the Netherlands, Erica's life has been defined by a dual passion for technical precision and the natural world. A textile engineer and business economist by trade, she spent 30 years at Nike leading global cost engineering at the intersection of manufacturing and product creation. Her strategic costing frameworks became the cornerstone for Nike's apparel and footwear divisions, driving both innovation and sustainability.
Parallel to her corporate career, Erica became a Brain and Body yoga master in 2014. Today, she integrates her leadership experience with her lifelong connection to horses. As a certified equine specialist and board member, Erica facilitates animal-assisted healing, using the horse's unique ability to act as a mirror to teach patience, strength, and compassion.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rose moved to the United States at the age of six. Her early life experiences shaped both her resilience and her deep compassion for others. In 1980, she graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a foundation that has guided her lifelong commitment to care and service, and she continued her nursing career with a degree in Pregnancy and Lactation Consulting from UCLA. After moving to the west coast, Rose married and raised 4 children. Horses have always been a central part of her life and her children's upbringing. Recognizing the profound healing power of horses, she became certified in the Eagala model of equine therapy. She often says "Horses saved me" and it was this personal transformation that inspired her to create opportunities for healing for others.
Being trilingual, speaking English, Spanish, and German, she spent years translating English to Spanish for underserved Latino communities, helping bridge communication gaps in healthcare and social services. Having a strong heart for service she participated in two missionary trips to Guatemala, volunteered with the Greater Los Angeles Deaf Association, and ran a program feeding the houseless in the downtown Los Angeles area for many years.
Throughout her professional journey, Rose has combined her medical background with her passion for horses to create a healing environment where both people and animals can find restoration. She founded Helping Hands Horse Rescue and Equine Therapy Inc. in 2010, dedicated to rescuing horses and partnering them in therapeutic work that supports individuals facing trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction recovery, breast cancer, domestic abuse, and other life challenges.
By 2013, the organization was growing rapidly, expanding its pro bono work with veterans, at-risk youth and adolescents in eating disorder treatment facilities. Rose credits much of her knowledge of equine facilitation to the guidance of Mickey Diagacomo, one of the original Eagala founders. In 2013, the organization relocated to Newberg, Oregon, providing more space and pastures to support the growing herd and expanding programs.
In addition to her leadership at Helping Hands, Rose is an avid gardener, artist, and classical guitar player. Her life's work continues to be rooted in compassion, service, and the belief that healing is possible through connection, especially through horses.
Helping Hands mission is rooted in the belief that healing happens through connection: connection with horses, with nature, and with one another. Every program we offer is centered on dignity, compassion, and hope.
It is an honor to serve our community and to witness the transformation that occurs when horses and humans come together in trust and understanding.
Maureen McShane has been a board member since 2025 and is the liaison with the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce. Her duties are to share the HHHR story with the community and to look for opportunities for donations and grants.
She grew up in La Grande, Oregon, and has lived in the greater metropolitan area since 1974. In her working life, Maureen was an executive assistant to several CEOs in a variety of public and private companies. Among others, she worked for Oregon Fruit Products and retired from The Springs Living. In retirement she enjoys volunteering with the Chehalem Cultural Center, Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival, is an Ambassador with the Chamber of Commerce and sorts grapes at a boutique winery at harvest time. She loves to read, learn and be part of the community. She can be found most mornings at the Aquatic & Fitness Center in Newberg; that's where she met Rose Sullivan.
Dr. Jack Root is a 100% equine veterinarian with more than 40 years of experience devoted exclusively to horse health and performance. He is a senior clinician and owner of Oakhurst Equine Veterinary Services, where his primary professional focus is lameness evaluation, diagnosis, and advanced sports medicine. He is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP), and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Dr. Root is married to Margaret (Cookie) Root for 50 years as of 2025, and together they have four sons with successful paths of their own.
Dr. Root brings decades of veterinary experience, leadership, and a deep commitment to animal welfare to the board. Widely respected within the equine community, he has dedicated his career to advancing equine health, supporting responsible care, and strengthening the human-animal bond. Throughout his professional life, he has worked closely with horse owners, trainers, riders, and fellow professionals, developing a reputation for clinical excellence, practical problem-solving, and compassionate service. His background includes extensive hands-on medical and surgical care, strong mentorship of high school agricultural programs, veterinary students, and his own veterinary team, as well as collaboration across multi-disciplinary groups. Each winter, he also hosts client educational programs designed to empower horse owners with practical knowledge for preventive care and sound management.
Dr. Root's involvement in rescue work reflects his long-standing belief that every horse deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity for a healthy future. As a board member, he provides invaluable medical insight, guidance on welfare standards, and strategic perspective, helping ensure that rescued horses receive the highest standard of care while the organization operates with both compassion and sound stewardship. Known for his integrity, steady leadership, and genuine care for animals and the people who love them, Dr. Root is honored to support the Helping Hands Horse Rescue and Equine Therapy organization and help to expand the organization's impact in our community.
Genelle Davis is a lifelong equine steward, holistic energy practitioner and has over 30 years of experience working within a medical facility. She has raised six children and worked closely with horses for most of her life, cultivating a deep understanding of the human-equine bond and its therapeutic potential.
For the past three years, Genelle has served as a volunteer Equine Energy Healer at Helping Hands where she supports trauma-informed, client-centered healing for both horses and humans through gentle, non-invasive energy work. Her approach emphasizes emotional regulation, nervous system support, and the creation of a safe, grounded environment that promotes resilience, peace and well-being.
Genelle holds extensive certifications in energy and holistic healing, including Reiki levels I, II and Master/Teacher, Animal Reiki Practitioner, Crystal Reiki Master/Teacher, Equine Energy Healing, Sound Healing and Medicinal Herbalism. All reflecting a comprehensive and integrative approach to both human and equine wellness. Genelle is also the founder and owner of Danu Botanical, a company dedicated to making organic skin care and medicinal salves.
Genelle proudly serves on the Board of Directors and is committed to advancing the organization's mission, sustainability and positive impact within the community.
Shilo was born and raised in New England. She started riding horses at age 5 and has had her own horses since she was 15. Throughout her life she has held a variety of horse and animal related jobs, including racetrack groom, polo pony trainer, riding instructor, show barn manager, and vet tech. She competed for 10 years in combined training events through Preliminary level.
In 1990, Shilo joined the Touchstone and Pony Farm "family" in Temple, New Hampshire, first as a friend, then as a co-founder of the Touchstone Therapeutic Riding Program. She became Volunteer Coordinator and therapeutic riding instructor for children and adults with an array of challenges. In 2010, she joined the Touchstone Board, and served as President from 2012-2015.
After raising her two sons, Shilo moved to Northern California in 2015, where she continued to combine her love for people, horses and animals, and community involvement as Communications Manager for HALTER Project; a grass-roots project based in Sonoma County, California, dedicated to the safety and welfare of people and animals in emergencies and disasters.
In early 2021, Shilo moved to Dundee, OR with her son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons. She continues her work with HALTER Project remotely and is thrilled to join the Helping Hands Rescue and Equine Therapy team as a volunteer, Equine Specialist and Board member.
Shilo worked in the high-tech industry for over 35 years as a communications manager where she excelled as a video and film producer, speechwriter, executive speechwriter, and global employee communications manager.
Heather Meader, co-founder of Eminent Domaine Wines, has used her background in environmental studies to prioritize sustainable agriculture, ethical labor practices and collaboration with industry peers for the past two decades.
A dedicated community leader, Heather serves as a grant evaluator for the Leadership Council of the Oregon Community Foundation, and also collaborates with the Niemeyer Foundation to support early education and community enrichment throughout the state. Following years of volunteering on the farm at Helping Hands Healing Sanctuary, she now serves on the board as an advocate for equine-based therapy.
In her spare time, you'll find her gardening, singing or connecting with friends and family.
With 25 years of business experience, Autumn has been involved in various aspects of management and running a business. She co-owns a three-generation farm with horses ridden by all generations. She is a neurofeedback technician and has worked in a clinical setting treating adults and adolescents with brain anomalies such as ADD/ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and sleep disorders.
At Helping Hands, she volunteered for 5 years doing everything from preparing horses for therapy sessions to repairing shelters, irrigation, large appliances, and hose whispering. She also helped with gardening and art restoration.
Her other pursuits are as an herbalist and healer, mechanic, avid gardener and fruit grower, artist, craftsman, musician, and songwriter. Horses are a passion of hers also.
Mother to 4 children and grandmother to 11, with a great grandchild on the way, she enjoys a big family and time involved with all ages.
Helping Hands Horse Rescue and Equine Therapy is a 501C3 Non-profit organization. Everything we are able to do is powered by donations and volunteerism, so your donation is GREATLY appreciated!
Donations help us take care of all the therapy animals, and be able to provide equine therapy to those in need, at no charge. Thus, donations help us, as our mission statement states, to partner our experienced therapy horses and trauma-informed practitioners in providing equine-assisted services that help individuals and groups rise to their full potential.
