Our Instructors

Ana Hands is a therapeutic riding instructor and a Special Olympics Equestrian Coach. She has completed rigorous training and education to work in the therapeutic environment with people with disabilities. She is held to very high safety and instruction standards.

Ana is also certified in mini horse therapeutic activities, CPR, first aid, mental health first aid and is a certified pet therapy handler.  She is a member of the Miniature Horse Association, Certified Horsemanship Association, the American Paint Horse Association, and the Louisiana Equine Council. She has years of experience in providing animal therapy to adults, children and seniors.  

Tricia Schneider is a  PATH International* Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. She fell in love with horses the moment her mom placed her on a family member’s pony, Sally, at nine months old. After begging her parents to ride, they were able to find an instructor willing to teach her western at four years old. At nine, she started to complete in local English shows and eventually moved her way up to Regional Hunter competitions. As an adult, she has also taken lessons and attended clinics on Dressage and Natural Horsemanship.

While looking for volunteer opportunities in high school, she found SIRE therapeutic horsemanship program in Houston, Texas. She started as a volunteer and just felt an immediate passion for therapeutic horsemanship. Later while attending Texas A&M University system for her Master’s in Business Administration, she became a Volunteer Coordinator. After moving to the New Orleans area in 2001, she volunteered at GAITS therapeutic horsemanship program in Kiln, MS. It was there that she decided to obtain her Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor certification in 2004. She has taught at various therapeutic horsemanship facilities in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Nevada due to moving for her husband’s work. She is delighted to be at Alegria Animal Assisted Therapeutic Center. 

Tricia is also certified in CPR, first aid, and mental first aid. She has a paint mare named Ladybug and is a member of the American Paint Horse Association.