Our Board of Directors is an amazing group of dedicated volunteers who provide leadership and promote our programs throughout the greater Spokane area.
Dave T
President
My wife, Jan, introduced to me to Free Rein in 2014, I have enjoyed being a side walker and leader, as well as helping in maintenance and construction projects. I’ve been a volunteer Nordic ski instructor for Spokane Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Services at Mt. Spokane Nordic Ski Area since 1995. I began as a volunteer firefighter with Spokane County Fire District 4 in 1991 and now serve as a driver/operator for District 4’s Support Services team. I’m honored to have been invited to join Free Rein’s Board of Directors in mid 2020. It’s an exciting time in a very challenging scenario but I’m surrounded by a great team of dedicated volunteers and staff.
Amber H
Treasurer
Amber Hull joined the Free Rein Board as Treasurer in September of 2022. Growing up on a small wheat farm with horses she understands the impact a horse can have on a person. Amber has worked for AgWest Farm Credit for over 16 years. As VP Credit, her current duties include review and underwriting of large, complex, and/or high-risk credit requests with review of complete financial analysis. Amber attended Washington State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness with a minor in Animal Science. She is married with two children and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family: riding, camping, fishing, gardening and caring for her family’s dogs, horses, goats, and chickens.
Sandy J
Founder & Secretary
Sandy first discovered therapeutic riding when she volunteered at the PETE program at WSU in 1991. When she returned to the Seattle area she began volunteering at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding. In 1998 she completed her degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant and took on her own clients at Little Bit. In 2002 she became a Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Later in 2002 Sandy, her husband and two kids moved to Spokane. After having another kid and then buying a young Fjord named Loki she decided that it was time to work on opening a therapeutic riding program in Spokane. In the summer of 2008 Free Rein was launched. Sandy moved back to the west side in 2019 and returned to Little Bit where she is a Physical Therapy Assistant and an Adaptive Riding Instructor. In her free time Sandy enjoys spending time with her husband and her three kids who are all now grown and out of the house. Their adventures include hiking, paddling, cross country skiing, being on the beach and traveling.
Amanda L
Board Member
Dr. Amanda Lamp has ridden since she was 3 years old. She has had the great fortune to be a working student for 3 Olympic riders and has trained countless horses and riders in eventing and dressage, though she has ridden both western and English throughout her life. As a researcher, she also does human-equine interaction research to demonstrate the benefits of horses to the public. She started volunteering for therapeutic riding in 2006 and became a certified PATH Instructor February 2022. She greatly enjoys working with everyone at Free Rein.
Lindsay K
Board Member
Lindsay is a native to the area, having grown up in Dalton Gardens prior to attending Gonzaga University and receiving an undergraduate degree in Special Education. Lindsay was a special educator for several years in Post Falls before attending law school. She is now a transactional attorney, specializing in real estate and corporate law. Lindsay has been around horses her whole life, having grown up raising paint horses. She is thrilled to serve on the board of Free Rein and to have an opportunity to combine her passions for horses and the special needs community.
Stephanie G
Board Member
Stephanie started volunteering at Free Rein in August 2021 after 6 years volunteering and instructing at Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in California. A love of horses started for Stephanie as a toddler. Elementary school teaching and a love for guiding children to love learning and adventure was her career. After retiring, it was a great joy to discover the combination of horses and helping riders of all ages and abilities through therapeutic riding. She feels it is a privilege to work with the Free Rein clients and to grow and learn along with the amazing staff at Free Rein. She loves to travel, read, garden, hike and of course ride.
Katharine R
Board Member
As a child, I was entranced with the horse-themed books of Marguerite Henry. My favorite book was "King of the Wind," the story of the Goldolphin Arabian. I purchased an Arabian horse for my twin daughters in 2005, and we participated in Arabian horse show events. From owning my own horse, I saw first hand the magical bond between horse and rider.
I obtained her law degree from Gonzaga University and have practiced in Seattle for over 31 years. I'm retired. I'm a native Spokanite, and returned to Spokane in 2020 after the death of my husband.
In Seattle, I was introduced to Therapeutic Riding at Little Bits, where I volunteered with my daughter. Upon my return to Spokane, I currently volunteer at Free Rein Therapeutic Riding as a horse leader. I joined the board in January 2024.
I am committed to the goal of obtaining permanent property for the Free Rein program.
