Hunkapi Herd
Hunkapi Staff
Terra Schaad MC, Director
Terra became the inaugural director for the Hunkapi Horse Program in 1999. Her extensive equine background includes;
competing at the Inter-Collegiate level for the Texas A&M Horse Judging and Equestrian teams and conducting research
on racehorses, while completing a B.S. in Animal Science. Following college she trained reining horses professionally
in Gainesville, TX where she began to see parallels between horse training techniques and interpersonal relationships.
Hunkapi gave Terra the opportunity to explore these finding further. Terra entered graduate school at ASU to pursue a
Master of Counseling degree in the Spring of 2002. While there, she took a special interest in group dynamics and family
therapy and created a curriculum that integrates horses into a family therapy session. In April 2006, she and
Debra Crews, Ph.D. concluded research investigating the differences in Self-Esteem, Anger, and Anxiety in adolescents
participating in either clinical group therapy or equine therapy. Terra credits horses for teaching her responsibility,
empathy, and communication and hopes that other children can acquire those same qualities through their experiences at
Hunkapi.
terra@hunkapi.org
Amanda Adams, Instructor
Amanda started working with Hunkapi at the beginning of June 2008. She worked as a horseback riding and horse camp instructor for two years in Texas before moving to Arizona in the summer of 2007. She is currently a student at ASU West working to receive a bachelor's degree in Recreation and Tourism Management. Working with horses has always been a dream for her. After teaching kids how to ride in Texas, she immediately loved the job and hopes to continue working in this field.
Shayna Kann, Instructor
Shayna has been involved in horses and riding since she was twelve years old, and twenty two years later it is still her greatest passion. Shayna graduated with an Associate's degree in Equestrian Science and Equestrian Business Management in 1996 from Scottsdale Community College. While in college Shayna was involved in multiple aspects of horse training and management, including anatomy and physiology, breeding and foaling, conformation, nutrition, hoof care, and body work. Shayna showed in dressage, and hunter/jumpers, and has experience in western pleasure and trail riding. All through college Shayna was involved in 4-H as a riding instructor for kids ranging from ages 8 -14. This is when Shayna experienced the magic of horses with children, sparking a vision of having a career with horses and people. Shayna has a Percheron stallion named Merlin that lives at home with her and her two dogs, four cats, and two snakes. Merlin is an amazing friend and continues to teach Shayna how to be a better horsewoman everyday.
Saundra Sherow, Instructor
Saundra is currently working on her Masters in Education with a concentration on Equine Assisted Learning through Prescott College. She is also in the process of becoming a NARHA Certified Theraputic riding Instructor. Saundra has an extensive background working with volunteers and children. She has a passion for horses and kids, which makes Hunkapi a perfect fit.
Chelsea Shiner
My name is Chelsea Shiner. I am currently an undergraduate student at Arizona State University. I am majoring in Therapeutic Recreation and minoring in Non Profit Leadership and Management. I plan on continuing my education with a graduate degree in occupational therapy.
I have been around horses since I have been nine years old and I absolutely love them! I have been working with therapeutic equestrian centers since I have been 15 and it is through all of my volunteering that I decided upon my field of study. Working with Hunkapi has been one of the most amazing opportunities I’ve had thus far. It has been such an incredible learning experience and I am so grateful to be part of this amazing team!
Rachel Sutherland
Rachel is an Arizona native who brings 20 years of equestrian experience to the team. While her passion is dressage, she has trained and competed in several disciplines, including hunter/jumpers, reining, English and Western pleasure and more. She worked across the US and in the UK as a groom for top competitors in Combined Driving, a sort of horse-drawn carriage triathlon! Over the years, Rachel has always sought out opportunities to coach new riders, help horse owners conquer training obstacles and continue to develop her own understanding of the equine-human relationship. Rachel’s teaching style blends safety, technique and equine communication skills with a fun, confidence-building attitude.
Cassandra Van Voorhees (Cat)-Lead Mare
Cassandra graduated from ASU 1997 with a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation. She interned that winter in Park City, UT teaching adaptive skiing for the National Ability Center. Upon completion that spring she and her now husband moved back to her home town in the Bay Area and worked as a project manager at a prestigious advertising agency for 9 years. In 2004, after giving birth to her second son, her and her husband decided to move back to the desert, buy a home and she embarked upon her most challenging job thus far, “stay at home mom”. In the summer of 2008 she met Terra while training for triathlons; during their long runs and bike rides Terra shared about her horse program and that is when she fell in love with the Hunkapi! The Hunkapi Horse Program it has reunited Cassandra with her love for horses, renewed her passion for working with children and allowed her to integrate a never ending mommy job with a new career.
