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To abandon oneself in the dance with a horse is to touch the infinite -Katie Solisti

Call Us: (509) 979-1468

Sandy is the founder and director of Free Rein as well as an instructor for the program. Sandy began her horse career teaching kids to ride at a small horse camp and cattle ranch near Yakima Washington. Sandy began volunteering at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Woodinville Washington in 1991. After working with the physical therapists for several years she got her Physical therapy assistant certification in 1998 and her Hippotherapy training in 1999. Sandy was at Little Bit until 2002 when she and her family moved to Spokane.

Lisa Johnson, Head Instructor

Lisa is our head instructor. She started volunteering at Free Rein in the summer of 2010 and became a PATH certified instructor in June of 2011. Previous to coming to Free Rein she worked as a social worker with a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Washington University. Lisa grew up showing horse in 4-H in the Olympia area, and went on to show at Washington State Horsemen and Appaloosa shows as an adult. She is excited to combine her years of horse experience with her previous work experience.

Sandy Jones, Director

Andrea Andrews , M.Ed., Instructor

Andrea is a long time horse woman as well as a Special Education teacher at Mount Spokane High School. Andrea’s horse experience comes from years of showing in 4-H, open and breed showing. She also has worked in the tack industry for over 10 years. Andrea is a registered therapeutic riding instructor with PATH.

Cyndi Caniglia, Instructor

Cyndi spent her childhood and high school years in 4-H and High School Rodeo. She has shown horses primarily in 4-H shows and traveled the Junior and High School Rodeo circuit competing in barrel racing and pole bending. In 1988 she came to Spokane for college and graduated from Gonzaga University with a Bachelor and Masters degree in Special Education. Cyndi was a Special Education Teacher and Education Specialist in the East Valley School District until 1996 and has since been an Education Consultant both locally and nationally in regular, remedial, and special education. She is excited to bring her two passions together - children and horses - as a PATH registered therapeutic riding instructor

Kristi Scalise, Volunteer Coordinator

Kristi Scalise is the Volunteer Coordinator at Free Rein. She grew up loving and riding horses and is excited to be part of the team. Kristi is a teacher who has taught grades 6 through 12 and is now going back to graduate school to earn her Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling. She looks forward to growing with us.

Our Staff