| Hero Hearts EquiCenter, Inc. began its mission in 2008 to provide Cochise County with the NARHA Horses for Heroes program. The founders of the organization recognized the needs of the wounded soldiers, veterans, military retirees, and emergency services personnel in the community, and knew equine assisted activities and therapy could address their unique and special requirements. Our center is located just 15 miles from the Fort Huachuca Army Post, and just 10 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ – a community rich with active duty soldiers, veterans, retirees, and emergency services personnel who have honorably served our country. We will begin providing our services to Cochise County in Fall of 2009.
Our all-volunteer board of directors consists of dedicated and diverse members who have strong backgrounds in equine services, entrepreneurship, public and government services, and community involvement: |
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Albert Armenta – President
Al has been a professional in the horse industry for more than 22 years, and a small business owner for over 10 years. He trains and instructs on a professional level throughout Cochise and Pima Counties, and owns a surveillance equipment company that provides services throughout Southeastern Arizona. He is a NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) member, as well as an EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) member. |
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Shannon Stewart – Vice-President
Shannon is a local businesswoman and professional riding instructor. She has been providing professional equine services in Southeastern Arizona for more than 15 years. She is a NARHA Registered Certified Instructor, Vice-President for AZgreyhounds Rescue and Adoption, a 501(c)(3) organization, and a member of EAGALA. She has been involved in the equine assisted activities and therapy industry for over 4 years. |
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Treasurer
Margaret retired after 28 years from IBM/LM Corporation and moved from Upstate New York to Sierra Vista in 2001 where she and her husband Charles Glenn currently reside. Margaret has been married to Charles for 39 years and they have three children, two sons, a daughter and two grandchildren. Margaret graduated from Wagner College on Staten Island with a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and The State University of New York in Binghamton with a Master's degree in Computer Science. Margaret worked as a programmer for IBM and later as a manager of a software development department up until her retirement. Margaret's hobbies include playing bridge, knitting and visiting her grandchildren as often as she can. |
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Viisha Sedlak – Director of Marketing and PR
Viisha was a model/actor for eleven years followed by seven years as a world-record holding athlete on the USA Track and Field Team in the US Olympic Program. She founded the American Walking Association, was a corporate spokesperson for twelve years for Easy Spirit Shoes, Johnson & Johnson, and the USA Rice Council, and is a talented and well-known artist. She is a horse owner, and has been a volunteer for many years for Scouting of America, and the Cochise County Juvenile Detention Center. |
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Director of Government Affairs
Position Open - Please contact Al or Shannon, if interested. |
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| More Positions... |
| - Program Director/Head Riding Instructor: Shannon Stewart |
| - Program coordinator/Riding Instructor: Al Armenta |
| - Volunteer Coordinator: Sue Riley |
| - Fundraising Coordinator: Brandi Yancy |
| - Military Liaison: Debra Fine |
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| Our Horses... |
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Angel
Angel is a flashy Arabian/Mustang cross mare. She is the youngest of the Hero Hearts herd, and is loving her job as a therapy horse. She is a very affectionate mare who loves people. |
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B.R.
A beautiful sorrel 14-year old quarter horse. B.R. is a stout fella, and a kind and gentle soul. He was started in his younger days as a roping horse, but it wasn’t his cup of tea. We believe his true calling is to be a Hero Hearts horse! |
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BrandY
A lovely liver bay 17-year old quarter horse. Brandi has spent many years as a tried and true lesson and trail horse. She is sweet, kind, and wise, and always takes great care of her riders. |
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| More to come... |
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