Our Dedicated Team

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Shannon earned a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy and worked many years in Trauma and ICU at a Level 1 Trauma Center. Her husband served 20 years in the USAF, they raised two beautiful children in the midst of multiple combat deployments and duty station changes. She saw the way horses were able to reach her husband during difficult times which prompted her to become Eagala certified in 2016 and start her own program, the very first Veteran Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Program in Montgomery County. She has facilitated hundreds of Eagala Equine Therapy sessions to date. It is her passion to assist Veterans and their families become closer and stronger together. Shannon also served her community as an Executive Board Member of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission as Director of Veterans Affairs, and is currently a member of Lake Conroe Area Republican Women and VFW Post 4709 Auxiliary.

Jay proudly served 20 years in the United States Air Force. He received two Meritorious Service Medals while in service. The Air Force has taken him all over the world, including multiple combat tours in Iraq, four years in Germany and a year in South Korea. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master’s Degree of Business Management from Webster University with a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. He currently works as VP of Texas Operations at EconoChannel West, Inc.

Marianne served 30 years as a professor and researcher. She received the Distinguished Professor Award, published numerous articles/book chapters, and received many grant awards. She has made international and national presentations for the International Association of Violence, Abuse and Trauma and the American Research Association. While serving at the University, she and her students conducted service projects for military personnel stationed in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Her father gave her a Welch pony at age 5, and she has spent a lifetime of showing ponies, and partnering with them as therapy teams to promote the highest quality of life for children and adults.  

Mike owns and operates Universal Sign & Graphics in Montgomery and holds position 1 on the MISD Board of Trustees. Previously in his career, Mike held management roles with Schlumberger and United Airlines prior to retiring and starting his own company. Mike is also a retired U.S. Air Force veteran with over 23 years of service on both Active Duty, and on the Reserves as a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer. Mike has an MBA from Texas A&M, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and an Associate of Applied Science from The Community College of The Air Force in Aerospace Systems Maintenance Technology. Mike is also a Licensed Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Powerplant Technician. 

  Maureen actively served in the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 2010. An MST survivor and advocate, she is very vocal about the needs and importance of the female service member and is always willing to serve her fellow veterans in any way she can. Maureen is an equine photographer and life long “horse crazy girl” and knows the special healing power of an equine relationship. As a board member, it is her hope and goal to provide a female service member perspective and creative mind to support Sunny Creek Ranch and its veterans. In her spare time, Maureen enjoys spending time on her homestead with her husband and two children and riding her horse, Chap, out on the trails.  

Haleh is a graduate of Oklahoma State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering.  Haleh is a retired, licensed Texas Professional Engineer.  She worked at Texaco/Star Enterprise Refinery, Texaco Central Engineering Group, and Texaco Power & Gasification. She held various positions including Refinery Process Engineering & Process Control plus Project Engineering Management of refinery repairs or upgrades, and front-end engineering of Texaco licensed technology.  She has served in multiple volunteer roles including the VP of Philanthropy for The Professional Group, a Houston women’s organization.  Since 2008, Haleh has served as the Watch Coordinator in The Woodlands.  She believes in Neighbors getting to know Neighbors and utilized various Township programs to build relationships while keeping Neighbors informed to create safer Neighborhood.  Haleh has gained deep respect for the Sheriff's Office and our 1st Responders.  In March 2009, Haleh was recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer by Neighborhood Services of the Community Associations of The Woodlands.  In 2019, Haleh was recognized as the The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch Volunteer of the Year for an Exceptional Spirit of Service.  Haleh’s son, Martin with Boy Scout Troop 1180, led the building of the Lean-To Shelter for Horses For Heroes therapy sessions as his Eagle Scout Service Project.  Haleh has several family members including her brother, a retired USAF MSgt , who served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Janet serves as the Director of Middle School at The Woodlands Methodist School in The Woodlands, Texas. She has been an educator in private and public schools for over 28 years, serving as a teacher and administrator. Janet holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Education degree from Sam Houston State University. As many family members are veterans, including her husband, she seeks to give back to those who have given us all so much. Having participated in the equine therapy with Horses for Heroes at Sunny Creek Ranch, Janet appreciates the value of the service offered there. As a board advisor, her goal is to promote and support the mission to serve veterans, first responders, and their families

 Thom is a graduate of Pace University where he earned a BBA in business management. He was selected for a position with the US Secret Service. His 25-year career with the USSS began at the White House where he worked his way through the ranks to become a team leader with the elite tactical unit. He then served as a Special Agent in the Washington and New York Field Offices before being selected for an assignment with the Presidential Protective Division. Mr. Bolsch spent five years as an instructor at the USSS training facility where he taught other Special Agents and recruits the USSS protective methodologies, weapons handling and tactics as well as investigations. Mr. Bolsch concluded his long and distinguished career as a supervisor in the Houston Field Office.   

Kody served 8 years as an Infantryman in the United States Marine Corps. He deployed multiple times overseas throughout the Pacific and Middle East, including OEF in Afghanistan. In his last 3 years of service he was stationed at Paris Island, training recruits in combat marksmanship. He currently works for Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. Through sharing his story and connecting with other veterans during sessions, Kody is committed to reducing the 22 a day statistic. 

Wayland served as an Air Force Chaplain in the Texas Air National Guard for eight years.  He deployed to Saudi Arabia during the no-fly operations over Iraq. While serving in the Air National Guard, Wayland was also the Senior Pastor at an Episcopal church in Houston. He retired from active parish ministry in 2005 due to medical complications that left him legally blind. Today, Wayland works part-time for a small Anglican seminary. He is thankful for the opportunities Horses For Heroes offers veterans and their families.

Mischele is an Army veteran, a former military spouse of over 22 years, a former Military Life Counselor (MFLC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Mischele and her children were the dependents of an Army soldier assigned to highly deployed units. She decided to become part of the solution to help military families thrive during and post service by pursuing Counseling training after seeking and not finding assistance for herself and her family and the unique challenges they experienced during these deployments. She attained her Masters in Counseling with a dual emphasis in marriage, family and couples therapy and addictions from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Mischele is dedicated to helping military members and their families find what works for them and their unique life circumstances. She knows there are many paths to the same destination. She believes partnership with horses can be one of these paths and an integral part of the thriving/healing process. She believes this based on her own personal healing journey with and without horses and her training in equine psychotherapy. She further believes that when one is truly heard by the herd, healing happens. 

  Non-judgmental listeners who are honest 100% of the time. 

 Bob is a University of Houston graduate who has spent over 30 years helping people overcome obstacles that have kept them from achieving their full potential. His ultimate goal is to provide veterans and their families the skills necessary to help resolve conflict and create positive, real life solutions through the horse-human connection. Known as Scuba Bob, Bob is also a scuba instructor and avid outdoorsman.